There is no doubt that Scandinavian artists are currently at the forefront of the electronic and indie music scenes. The Knife, Bjork, Röyksopp and countless other major artists, musicians and djs have risen from the nordic states. In between these impressive names Denmark may appear to be a little out of step with its neighbours seemingly offering 90′s cheese-pop band Aqua as their most notorious export. This view is a little short sighted as the country is also host to worldwide renowned festival Roskilde in Copenhagen and has offered its fair share of great music; I’m thinking djs and electronic musicians Trentemøller, Lindstrøm, or bands such as the Raveonettes and Mew.
Because Denmark currently has so much to offe we wanted to introduce Danish Compilations; a website created by Mia Storm and Lukas Kaldan in order to promote their local acts. The duo had already been writing Danish language blog Wonders Make Joy; their idea was to launch a website in English thus making the local scene more accesible to us in the anglo world.
This concept is simple and effective and the website currently offers four themed compilation albums to enjoy. Being partial to Scandinavian electronic music I found ‘Vinter Wonders‘ to be a little jewel of electronica and minimal featuring artists Aebeloe, Andycap or Jonas K.P, who particularly caught my attention; I greatly recommend it if you enjoy the soothing and pure sounds of electronica.
Approximately the same electronic atmosphere but with a twist of rock is present on ‘ To Sider Af Samme Sommer‘, which again features Aebeloe and no-need-for-introductions maestro Trentemøller, but also four piece indie band Annasaid, strangely making me wonder if they could be the bastard child of Cassius‘s and Vampire Weekend.
If Indie rock is your thing, then Wonders Make Joy‘s second compilation ‘IndieanerMusik‘ should definitely please you. It should be noted that this album also features The Kissaway Trail; an old friend here at Cougar Microbes HQ. The vocals on Choir of Young Believers‘ ‘Hollow Talk‘, the musicality of Art of Ape‘s ‘Stuck in Freedom‘ or the spirituality of Chimes & Bells ‘Into Pieces of Wood‘… it seems that all the tracks on this album have something special about them and made me want to discover more about the artists behind them.
The fourth compilation ‘Lyden af Din Mormors Elsker‘ present another well-known aspect of scandinavian music: rock AND roll. The first featured band ‘The Band Bang Brain‘ sets the mood: this is about guitars, loud vocals, feeling young and free…. scotch, but on the rocks. With a touch of heaviness some tracks may seem overwhelming to some sensitive ears, but can be nonetheless soothed by the more delicate sounds and lyrics of Three Attacks ( ‘Love In The City‘) or 18th Dye ( ‘Amorines‘).
Putting all artists on the same level( from the worldwide famous to the little-known acts), gives us the chance to discover something new and fresh. With their themed albums the website ‘Danish Compilations‘ is a great initiative. … and all this, just for the love of music.
Compiling this list has proven to be harder than my album break down last year (and is that because there were fewer or more “great” releases in 2010?) but there was absolutely no doubt in my mind who would steal the top spot. After trying to avoid the fanfare surrounding the release of ‘The Suburbs‘ I was eventually seduced by ArcadeFire like never before.
In the past I felt the Canadian outfit almost had too many good ideas to cram into their records reminiscent of a young boxer coming out in the early rounds and throwing as many punches as possible. Though I have often appreciated (and sometimes loved) the band’s songs I couldn’t quite understand the level of adoration they were afforded. It took the release of their third studio album to turn me into a true believer.
From the opening tripple-whammy of the majestic title track, the blistering ‘Ready To Start‘ and the contemplative Springsteen-esque ‘Modern Man‘, it is clear this is going to be a treat. Boasting the initial rush of ‘Funeral‘ with the ambitious instrumentation ‘Neon Bible‘ there’s a feeling that this collective are at the very top of their game.
It would be a hard ask them to match this sort of intensity throughout but more than anything ‘The Suburbs‘ is frighteningly consistent. It represents a perfect snapshot of where the band stand today to the point where when Win Butler proclaims, “2009, 2010, wanna make a record of how I felt then“, it is entirely believable. This latest incarnation of Arcade Fire is akin to a seasoned champion carefully picking their blows to maximum effect.
Accordingly, songs like the seemingly straightforward ‘City With No Children’ and ‘Month Of May’ still have plenty of hooks and charisma to easily push past the finish line. Elsewhere the Régine Chassagne fronted ‘Empty Room’ and ‘Half Light I’ are particular show stealers with the former dealing a euphoric rush to contrast the sombre orchestration of its counterpart and all this before even half of the album is through.
In the hands of lesser bands, a concept album about the changing faces of The Suburbs might come across as pretentious, but Butler and co. are able to make sharp observations without condescending “the kids” they are singing about and more importantly to.
It comes back to that aforementioned “frightening consistency” because despite going on and on about the album so far I still feel its highest peaks are still to come. Tracks like the magnificent ‘Suburban Wars’ with its bombastic climax, the Cold War taunting ‘Deep Blue’ and the masterpiece ‘We Used To Wait’ possess sufficient magic to carry any album all on their own.
Intelligently the band employs tempo change throughout to reaffirm their undeniable hold. So there is still time for the sharp contrast of the brooding ‘Sprawl I (Flatland)’ and its tale of lost youthful innocence before Régine steals the show once again with the deceivingly upbeat ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains); coming across like The Knife covering Blondie’s ‘Heart Of Glass’.
This album is so irresistible because its tracks work collectively just as well as they do individually. There is an undoubtable rush associated with their first impact but it is when heard from end to end that their true qualities become acutely apparent. This a classic album where repeat listens will be rewarded by the uncovering of constant themes and reoccurring lyrical musing.
By the time the familiar refrain of ‘The Suburbs (Continued)’ plays out the final moments of the album you will be longing for the whole adventure again. Ultimately, ‘The Suburbs‘ demands repeat visits because each time you go you will come back with a different rewarding experience.
Today’s Sunday treat has been on rotation for some time Cougar HQ and I’m glad to finally expose the multi-talented Jaeger. The American (no location specified) sings, produces, remixes and DJs very much on her own terms and the results are evident from her internet presence.
Her own tracks sound like a bizarre cross between KateBush and The Knife with its moody keyboards, exuberant vocals and somewhat mystical vibes. Meanwhile her remix of ‘Reckoner‘ gives the track a tribal feel that is not unappreciated.
to feature an array of amazing releases and artists (past, present, old and new) with the goal of promoting them to anyone interested and anyone who stumbles across this site.
If you like any of the tracks, please go buy the albums and help finance the artists producing this great music.
If there are any issues with the tracks featured do not hesitate to contact: "team (AT) Cougar Microbes (DOT) com and we will happily oblige.
There is no doubt that Scandinavian artists are currently at the forefront of the electronic and indie music scenes. The Knife, Bjork, Röyksopp and countless other major artists, musicians and djs have risen from the nordic states. In between these impressive names Denmark may appear to be a little out of step with its neighbours seemingly offering 90′s cheese-pop band Aqua as their most notorious export. This view is a little short sighted as the country is also host to worldwide renowned festival Roskilde in Copenhagen and has offered its fair share of great music; I’m thinking djs and electronic musicians Trentemøller, Lindstrøm, or bands such as the Raveonettes and Mew.
