Amason (am-uh-zon): Your New Favorite Swedish Indie-pop Band

These guys' dreamy 80's pop sound really took me by surprise. It's good to have a Swedish band that isn't screaming at me about how bleak their existence is! Their first album comes out in the states in two weeks (1/27). NPR has the first listen here.

I guess They're Coming to the Chorus Now

Sambassadeur, everyone! 

This is still such a lusciously hazy album.  I can't believe it's already 5 years old.
Oh! And Labrador is releasing a new digital single come August!

Frothing at the Mouth

     I have waited years for this.  Sweden's Afraid of Stairs is finally--FINALLY--going to be releasing an album.  Labrador dropped them a long time ago when nothing came to fruition, but holy hell "Not Today" still makes me hair stand on end.  It's fuzzy pop like indie darlings make now and again, but drenched in reverb and a ridiculously catchy lead-in.  Don't disappoint me, boys.  I couldn't stand it.

    And on a totally unrelated tangent because I just cannot keep myself from screaming aloud, The Afghan Whigs are touring again.  I just may have to take a trip to Cincinnati, because seriously, Pitchfork Music Festival's after party is not happening to me.

Oh Greg Dulli.  You are still magnetic.

Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About

Thanks again to Sweden.