It’s (unofficial) Swedish pop appreciation week on the Must-Hear Music podcast, with new songs from Tove Lo (yes, there’s much more to her than “Habits”), Erik Hassle and Mapei all getting love from the Billboard staff.
We also talk about new tracks from Blake Mills (Fiona Apple’s guitarist) and the Preatures — and whether Tove Lo could become the next Lorde.
Check out Jason Lipshutz, Joe Lynch and Chris Payne discussing a variety of top-notch songs in the podcast below. Or if you want to sample the songs (and what we had to say about them), scroll on.
Tove Lo: “Moments”
Jason: “Habits,” which I do like, might be my least favorite song on her album. The rest of the album is more similar to “Moments” — clean, free-ranging pop music with razor-sharp lyrics. The chorus is, “I’m not the prettiest that you’ve ever seen / But I’ve had my moments / On my good days, I’m charming as f-ck.”
Joe: This sounds like the Swedish underground pop that was indie-big in the ’00s, and we’re now seeing bubbling into the mainstream.
Mapei: “Things You Know Nothing About”
Joe: It starts out with guitar strumming, an ethereal choral voice, a funk-as-hell bass drop and then ends with a string hook, almost like something you might hear on an M.I.A. album. This is a very inventive song and sound.
You can stream Mapei’s full Hey Hey album at NPR or listen to a snippet of it in the podcast above.
The Preatures: “Somebodys Talking”
Chris: On a lot of today’s alternative rock songs, you get slammed over the head with a big, obnoxious chorus. This isn’t that. Almost like Haim, they sound modern but there’s a lot of Fleetwood Mac vibes in this band.
Jason: I’ve listened to this album, Blue Planet Eyes, twice while making dinner. I don’t know what that means, but I think it’s good.
Blake Mills: “If I’m Unworthy”
Joe: Blake Mills is Fiona Apple’s guitarist, but he’s worked with everyone — Beck, Lana Del Rey, Lucinda Williams, etc. He’s a fantastic guitarist, and unlike so many other bands influences by The Band, his guitar thinks outside the box.
Jason: I didn’t expect to be as engrossed with this song as I was.
Erik Hassle: “Pathetic”
Jason: I’ve never loved Erik Hassle’s material, but I’ve kept an eye on him, and I’m blown away by “Pathetic.” This is blue-eyed, white boy funk music. He’s biting Prince and showing his heart.