Jupiter Deluxe Tube releases debut album

The day finally came. Darwinn Sato and her dreamy project Jupiter Deluxe Tube have released the debut album Products of Insomnia. It has been a long wait, since the release was initially planned in March. But it has really been worth the wait. It only takes one listening from start to finish to understand that this is someting different. Jupiter Deluxe Tubes debut album have the quality of an art installation. It's partly straight up pop as in the Cardigans-like third track Home. Partly it's experimental, ambient and dreamy and all over the record there is this constant artsy imprint. What I mean is that Jupiter Deluxe Tube seem to have a great deal of creative confidence. This makes Product of Insomnia an unafraid and interesting album to listen to. It's surprising, bold and still really, really likeable.
The album itself is divided in two larger sections with the sixth track Cabin Song as a divider. The two parts of the album tells two sides of a story that is written with a specific person in mind. Sato's lyrics have always been open for interpretation which lets listener relate to the story in their own way. Jupiter Deluxe Tubes album debut is strong. It is the first steps of a great voyage and Weekly Indie Pop is honored to tag along from the start.

Listen to Jupiter Deluxe Tube here:

Mary The First - You Must Be Strong

Stunningly progressive and dark. Mary The First have released a debut EP that, in some ways, pushes the boundaries of contemporary electronic music. It's not time to redraw any maps but this little four track creation called You Must Be Strong manages to challenge this, sometimes boring, era of copy cat artists and producers. All four songs have a pulsating, intense and yet experimental feeling. With inspiration from the new wave and the EBM scene Mary The First (or Maria Eilersen) have tried to ignore what conventionally "works" which (according to my opinion) makes it fly. This is not the least visible on the second track Bystander with it's spatic, convulsive beat. Weekly Indie Pops favourite tune is the title track You Must Be Strong with it's heavy production and haunting, urging vocals.
       Though, what really captures me about Mary The First is her ability to make music that is genuinely dark and undisguised. A piece of art that holds the rare ability to feel completely real.

Listen to Mary The First here:

AyOwA returns with the new single Fri

The danish duo that earlier this year dropped the captivating single RUS is back with a new song called Fri. This new song is the last taste of what's to come since AyOwA will release their debut EP this month. With Fri AyOwA broadens the spectrum of their pop music and shows that they not only master the darker more bittersweet pieces of electro pop but also holds a lighter and very dreamy quality. Fri feels airy with a sparse beat and floating synths. The song also gives a very seamless impression where the different parts are bound togheter by Hannah Schneiders vocals in a very typical AyOwA way. Fri is what Weekly Indie Pop would like to call: the perfect summer release. A meditative almost hypnotic blend of bright colours, etheral sunsets and pop music. The expectations for the coming EP sure isn't lowered.

Listen to AyOwA here:

Tender - Erode

Erode is the name of a new single from electronica duo Tender. The band are planning an album release this summer and Erode is a foretaste of what's to come. The song in itself is, at least on the surface, a genuine pop track. Though it's still hard to argue that Tender goes for something mainstream. Their chill vibe and minimalistic yet spacious production holds a series of interesting arrangements and really cool sounds. The idea of making chill electronic music and then package it in a contemporary pop format feels like something that is really happening right now and gives Tender an edge in todays music scene.
Lyrically Erode paints a (at least in my opinion) kind of wry relation. Like the title of the song the descibed relation tells of a twosome that forces one part to slowly erode, to become something else, or more dramatic, to become nothing. It's something beautiful about a sacrificial love but when taken for granted or abused it holds a forceful backlash. Tender makes a magnificent job creating a perfect emotional soundtrack for such an implosion.

Listen to Tender here:

Twin Oaks - Nothing

The dream pop duo Twin Oaks just recently released a new track from their upcoming EP. Nothing, as this new (released march 21)  song is called, is a somewhat darker Twin Oaks compared to earlier work. The whole track contains a dark, ominous vibe. Some parts even sounds a bit like the 90's grunge wave while some parts touches the spectrum of post rock. Nothing starts of minimalistic with moving vocals and a lyrical material that adds to the harshness and asperity. The track constantly grows, adds layers of atmosphere, a beat with a reverb to die for and grand guitars. With Nothing, Twin Oaks have created a slow, pulsating crescendo. The whole song starts and finishes with the lines "Please forgive me for I have sinned". This line in itself captures and frames the beauty with Nothing which contains an almost cinematic, gray filtered, impression of despair paired with a distant, lingering but unsung hope, more represented in the music than in the lyrics themselves. The EP is planned for this summer and if Twin Oaks continues down the road of Nothing then we sure have someting look forward to.


Listen to Twin Oaks here:

3 Cutting Principles

Nicolai Dungers musical acts have always been an inspiration for us at Weekly Indie Pop. Somehow though his spectacular project, the band 3 Cutting Principles, have managed to elude us for over a year now. The amazingly well made debut album called 3 Cutting Principles involves Dunger himself and his two fellow muscicians Jonas Nyström and Manne von Ahn Öberg. The record in itself is a slow burning piece of orchestrated ambience, hymn-like melodies and Nicolai Dungers distintive vocals. Though this previous description may sound like it, there is absolutely nothing moderate about the works of 3 Cutting Principles. Instead the music is an ongoing source of mystic surprises and a lyrical material that elevates this piece of art and gives it a transcendent edge. Though it's been almost exactly a year since the album release Weekly Indie Pop strongly feels that this material is definately worth a return to. 3 Cutting Principles offers a well to pour out of. The music paints a broad panorama from grand symphonic motions to the narrow and fragile almost meditative. 3 Cutting Principles is something to discover and rediscover.

Listen to 3 Cutting Principles here: 

Vaarwell - YOU

YOU is the first song to be heard from Vaarwells upcoming debut album Homebound 456, which will be released this march. This single is the first encounter I've ever had with Vaarwell and I must say that this trio really swept me off my feet. YOU is a dark dream/indie pop song that holds layers of quality. The vocals breathe a melancholic feeling that makes every word of the break-up described in the lyrics feel real. The production makes every part of the song feel perfectly fitted into this beautiful mosaic. Though dreamy, the indie flavoured guitar and the drum beat mananges to create a distinct course for the song. As YOU ends up in a dynamic, still mellow, climax with the toms pounding like the beat of a military march, I'm utterly sold on the sounds and emotions that Vaarwell manages to create. The release of their debut album is most definitely something to have in mind for this month.

Listen to Vaarwell here:

RUS - new single from Ayowa

The danish duo Ayowa is back with a new single called RUS (released february 24). The new single continues Ayowas tradition of making ambient, expressive, electronic pop music. The contemporary beat, the pulsating soundscape and the emotional, floating vocals sung in danish makes for a bittersweet experince. It's both a feel good and a deeply emotionally captivating song. The danish word "rus" means "intoxication" and without having a full interpretation of the text the whole song still breathes this ecstatic shimmer. Ayowa have truly mastered the skill of making ravishing and touching music rooted in the pop genre.


 

Atmospheric vibes from Seersha

Wasteland is the debut single from the emerging atmospheric electropop artist Seersha. It's the first song from her forthcoming record (to be released in May). Wasteland is a song filled with melancholy, carried by soft synthpads and a minimal beat. Though Wasteland feels a bit held back, it still holds a shimmering energy with Seershas expressive vocals guiding the listenter through the wastelands, enclosed in atmospheric auras. The name Seersha comes from the phonetic spelling of Saorie, an Irish or Scottish given name meaning freedom. And it seems important for Seersha to make music that can hold up to that description. To not give away all the keys of interpretation but rather give the listener a possibility to measure their own thoughts and feelings in relation to Seershas artistry is a great artistic strength and makes for an interesting follow up in May.

Listen to Seersha here:

   

Corniglia - Oh My Love

Out of Perth, Australia comes this rare gem called Corniglia. Their debut single (released in November last year) should send shockwaves on every Indie Pop listeners radar. Oh My Love, which is the name of the song, is a repetative (in a good way), minimalistic and dreamy tune. It has this really downplayed production but still manages to create a really catchy sound, which one can probably thank the groovy basslines for. On top of the hazy, floating soundstage Oh My Love is a lovestory, though Corniglia works with meta narratives and the song seem to have more than one layer. It handles the contemporay endeavours of prolonged or eternal life and the want to always "play it cool" and "keep it togheter". In summary, Corniglia, with their dark, danceable sound, is another example of pop music that isn't only kitsch and placard messages, but the carrier of profound content. If you're into Oh My Love as much as Weekly Indie Pop is, be sure to keep your eyes open for Corniglias debut album bound for this year.

Listen to Corniglia here:       

Treasureseason XY

The London duo Treasureseason is back with a new EP called XY (released January 19).  XY is compact. The EP concists of three dreamy tracks with a charming retro/80s flavour. But Treasureseason clearly values quality over quantity and XY adds up to ten minutes of pure melancholic joy. An impressive feature about Treasureseason is how their retro flirt never becomes exxagerated. The soft synthpatches and the melodies sometimes feels directly retreived from the 80's synth pop scene but they are constantly merged with contemporary drumbeats and modern sounds. One thing to love about Treasureseason is how they open up for the electric guitar to take a lot of space, which feels almost like a revival. A band to have in mind this year.
 

Atmospheric electro pop from PAIR

PAIR is a swedish duo that makes atmospheric and emotional electro pop. Their debut single Northern Lights have been out for a while (released in october last year) but it is a fresh find for Weekly Indie Pop. Northern Lights is four minutes of pulsating, vibrant synths, airy production and stunning harmonies. The sound is both minimalistic and grand. The atmosphere and sentiment that PAIR manages to create have a captivating impression to the likeness of innovative Iamamiwhoami. Northern Lights really captures the shimmering magic of the night sky and Weekly Indie Pop looks forward to next phenomena.


 

New Album from The Deer Tracks

It's been a while since the swedish electronica duo The Deer Tracks (conscisting of Elin Skeppstedt and David Lehnberg) released new music. About three years to be more precise. With that in mind this new release is (at least for me) like reuniting with an old friend after a long period of time. I first discovered The Deer Tracks music in 2007 on myspace and was instantly amazed by how lion-hearted and innovatory their sound was. That conviction has followed me during The Deer Tracks continued history and certainly on the new album Undersvik. The album contains ten atmospheric tracks infused with scandinavian melancholy and encapsulated in international fast paced electro sounds. It's experimental and modern but still holds a great amount of mysticism . It's hard not to respect the fact that a band touring so frequent as The Deer Tracks still manages to create a record filled to the absolute breaking point with creativity and content. The Deer Tracks is really good at creating a dynamic soundscape and the balance between dark electronica and Elin Skeppstedts airy vocals sometimes sounds a little like the danish electro pop project As in RebekkaMaria. Weekly Indie Pops favourite track from Undersvik is the thin aired and melodic piece Gossip. Though released late 2016, Undersvik makes for a great start of the new year.

Best of 2016

Since this blog started in the end of summer this year we've had the pleasure to listen to and review some amazing popmusic. We're so glad to have started this project and as so many others we've made a short list (top 5 actually) of the best songs that this blog have reviewed during this short lifetime. Big thanks to everyone who is reading our posts and to the bands and artists that continue to make interesting and challenging music. Don't let 2017 be any different. Keep sending us your music.

All the Best and a Happy New Year
/Weekly Indie Pop

1. LANNDS - Still
2. Jupiter Deluxe Tube - Cabin Song
3. The Tape - A Place to Stay
4. Avante Black - Drug Money
5. Frithiof - Love is a Long Shot

Jupiter Deluxe Tube continues to mesmerize

Darwinn Sato is back with her second tune from Jupiter Deluxe Tube, the dreamy indie pop project that previously released the beautiful song Restart Me (read review here). This new piece is called Cabin Song and from start it holds me absolutely mesmerized. What (I think) is so great about Darwinn Satos music creation is that it's so fearless. Looked at from a wide angle it's pop music but that doesn't keep Jupiter Deluxe Tube from experimenting and pushing the boundaries. Cabin Song is a perfect example of this. Starting of mildly with a stunningly simple but captivating guitar loop and then continously growing into an epic synth driven crescendo at the end.
Lyrically Jupiter Deluxe Tube has a given edge. Darwinns poetic language and the multiple layers and imagery that surrounds her texts gives every listener the possibility to discover different meanings, and interpret several significations in relation to ones own life and experiences. And even if, according to Darwinn herself, Cabin Song or for that matter the upcoming album as a whole is written with a specific person in mind this doesn't change the fact that her wish is to invite the listener to find meanings of their own in her songs. Cabin Song is the fifth song on Jupiter Deluxe Tubes upcoming album called Products of Insomnia (to be released 2017). On the album all the tracks are parts of the same story and in this context Cabin Song serves as a pivotal point. Weekly Indie Pop have (since the release of Restart Me) had high anticipations for the upcoming album and with Cabing Song released those anticipations sure aren't lowered.

Listen to Jupiter Deluxe Tube here:     

New music from LANNDS

Rania Woodard a.k.a LANNDS is back with a new captivating single called Wide Awake. Muscicians like LANNDS is a big part of what initiatly inspired this blog into being. Therefore this new release comes a little extra close to the heart. Wide Awake pulls LANNDS a little closer to the electronica scene than previous releases. It seems  a little darker, the bassline is less melodic but LANNDS still circuits around the dreamy, ambient sounds that are so defining for Rania Woodards artistry. All is enclosed by her emotional voice and lyrics that makes you wonder about the signification of being "wide awake in a sleepy world". Somehow Wide Awakes gradual rise and emotional vocals make me think about The XX and mainly their Coexist album. Regardless of LANNDS musical influences it still remains a fact that LANNDS is a force to be reckoned with and Weekly Indie Pop is absolutely captivated.

Listen to LANNDS here:

New Album from Should We Run

In contemporary pop music it's often hard to find music where both the lyrical and musical content seem to have been made with equal effort. However, if one takes a look at alternative music in the indie scene, this phenomenon is much more common. Should We Run is a band that's both contemporary viable and still challenges the mind. Existential ís the name of their new album (released November 19th). The record is a seven track indie treasure that, after a dozen of play-throughs, still manages to surprise me with elements not recognized earlier. Sometimes it's a bit experimental and qirky, but Should We Run always return to their key elements with the guitar carrying the listener through the alteration between the female and male vocals. Weekly Indie Pop's favourite track is the emotive and thoughtful Man of the Desert. It's a seven minute long story that makes me think of Conor Oberst and the Bright Eyes on speed. Should We Run truly is a treasure just waiting to be found.

Listen to Should We Run here:

Vast soundscapes from Ardency

Ardency is the name of a powerful atmospheric electro duo consisting of Daniel Noguera and Christian Gomez. A couple of weeks ago they released a new EP called For You, Only with four monumental songs. The EP itself feels like an ongoing dynamic rise, starting with the danceable Song for you and ending in the epic finale Sincerely... The main focus is on the instrumental parts and there are few vocal parts. However the fastidious vocals are really good, especially on the ICELANDIA cooperation Blurred City. From start to finish everything feels very tight, balanced and well produced. Ardency have managed some really amazing synth sounds and put them together in an impressive mix. Weekly Indie Pops favourite track on For You, Only is the third song named Blacklight. It's is a real dynamic treat that's starts of  with a kind of calm lonely feeling. Resembling the impression of standing on a shoreline watching the quiet, vast ocean and suddenly, without warning, getting hit by this enormous soundbased tidalwave. Completely washed over in emotional captivating tones. Ardency at their best!

Avante Black - Drug Money

Avante Black describes themselves as atmospheric and dreamy, two words that will always attract Weekly Indie Pops attention. A couple of weeks ago this quartet released their debut single Drug Money. Lead by vocalist Ottilia Zimmerman Kjulsten, the members of Avante Black have made a captivating and pulsating release. The electro pop scene in which Avante Black is operating is, to say the least, crowded with contemporary bands and artists. Still  Avante Black is an act that strectches the given limits of the scene and occupies their own unique spot. A name to keep in mind for days to come.


Listen to Avante Black here:

Hand Habits - All the While

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Meagan Duffy is the great mind behind Hand Habits. Duffy is probably best known for being a part of Kevin Morbys band, but she's been releasing music under the name Hand Habits for quite some time. All the While is the first single from Hand Habits upcoming album Wildly Idle (humble before the void) which is to be released early February next year. All the While is impressing and also reveals one of Hand Habits specific talents: the ability to make a dynamic and interesting sound with almost no major changes at all. The song manages to keep me interested with small variations. The steady strumming guitar and the melodic vocals gives a dark and emotional vibe. The lyrics going "All the while the rain will fall I still feel the same and all the while the wind will blow I don't hear your name" makes this song the perfect autumn anthem. A faithful companion on lonely and dark roadtrips into the void. It also makes the upcoming album a most highly anticipated one.  

Listen to Hand Habits here: