Jens Lekman

This, people, is the post I have been waiting for. It's no secret that I love me some Swedes and even less of a secret that I adore what shall heretofore be referred to as "The Gothenburg Sound." (see: El Perro Del Mar, Love is All, Jose Gonzalez, Detektivbyran...) Above all, though, I love me some Jens Lekman. In the world of "Lisa Likes" regulations, artists should be a little nuts, a little grounded, part innovative freak genius and part renegade throwback revisiter. Jens, for sure, is all of these things. It's a rare day that the hype aligns with the music. Hype, meet music. Music, meet hype. You two shall surely be friends. On a personal note, Jens Lekman's music feels connected with my recent personal history and I couldn't be more happy--it's wistful, charming, silly, sad, bombastic and, occasionally triumphant. We all need something to listen to for all of these moments. And I'm grateful to Mr. Lekman for making such sounds that match up with more than one of these moments at the same time. Just listen. And try to love. I really want you all to.

The Opposite of Hallelujah [MP3, 6MB, 192kbps]
Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo [MP3, 5.9MB, 192kbps]


SAM'S ORIGINAL POST (5/26/04):
This 21-year-old Swede spins hopelessly hopeful AM gold from influences as diverse as Harry Nilsson, Nico, and Morrissey. [Added 22 Dec 2004: This kid's mad prolific, be sure to check out his Department of Forgotten Songs blog where he will be posting outtakes, unreleased tracks, and other MP3 treats until his big U.S. tour in February 2005.]

You Are the Light [MP3, 3.2MB, 128kbps]
Black Cab [MP3, 5.8MB, 160kbps]
Rocky Dennis Farewell Song to the Blind Girl [MP3, 6.2MB, 160kbps]

www.jenslekman.com
www.secretlycanadian.com

Frida Hyvonen

As a parting gift for the last week at my job, my coworker Lisa sent me some music recommendations—and when Lisa sends recs, I tend to listen because her mad skillz at free-MP3-mining far surpass my own. Frida Hyvönen was on that list, though with the caveat that the record was released nearly a year ago in Frida's native Sweden (it's spankin' new on Secretly Canadian in the U.S.), so for you Northern European seekers, this may be old news. But for the rest of us, it's a refreshingly enigmatic gust of cool air. Hyvönen is a sort of Scandinavian Joni Mitchell, a post-feminist proto-poet with the voice of an angel and the outlook of Kierkegaard. The track here is short and bittersweet. The rest of the album multifaceted and addictive. Take Lisa's advice and pick it up.

You Never Get Me Right [MP3, 2.6MB, 192kbps]

www.fridahyvonen.com
www.myspace.com/fridahyvonen
www.secretlycanadian.com

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness

There was a time (before MP3s or listening stations) when I'd buy records based solely on the name of the band. Don't laugh, it's how I ended up discovering Echo and the Bunnymen and Siouxsie and the Banshees before they became '80s household names. It's the name that drew me to I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness which, with their shadowy, elastic heartbreakers, could have been shelved alsongside Bunnymen and Banshees back in the day. Only they're of this decade and from Austin, Texas (with ties to Windsor for the Derby). Britt Daniel of Spoon produced their debut EP and his taut and tuneful sensibilities shone through (see "Your Worst Is the Best"). Their new LP, Fear Is on Our Side, was produced by Paul Barker (of Ministry and related side projects) who made the dark corners darker (see "According to Plan"). Either way, it's good stuff and gives you the opportunity to invite this exchange: "Who is this?" "I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness." "That's nice, but who is this?"

According to Plan [MP3, 5.3MB, 160kbps]
Your Worst Is the Best [MP3, 3.7MB, 128kbps]

www.emperorjones.com
www.secretlycanadian.com
www.chosendarkness.com

The Earlies

There is a God! And he's not just talking to George Bush. He's obviously tipping off Secretly Canadian to rare, indispensable music. Yeah, I'm slightly excited this record is finally coming out here in the states (October 25th). I missed them this last year at SXSW because frankly, I just couldn't stand up any more. The five pounds of succulent BBQ from The Salt Lick didn't exactly help the cause. So I can't vouch for the band live, but I can vouch for the psychedelic groove you're about to ride.

Morning Wonder [MP3, 6.4MB, 160kbps]
The Devil's Country [MP3, 6.7MB, 160kbps]

www.secretlycanadian.com
www.theearlies.com

Antony and the Johnsons

One of the nice things about a new job (note to self: update bio page) is all the new music you get to hear through your new co-workers. This week, as part of New Music Tuesdays, Andrew brought in Antony and the Johnsons' exquisite I Am a Bird Now. Antony has been tagged with the same "freak folk" moniker as his pal Devendra Banhart, though I'd call it the transexual blues and add that he sounds more like Nina Simone than Woody Guthrie.

Hope There's Someone (Edit) [MP3, 1.8MB, 192kbps]
Cripple and the Starfish [MP3, 5.8MB, 192kbps]
River of Sorrow [MP3, 5.6MB, 192kbps]

www.secretlycanadian.com
www.antonyandthejohnsons.com

Magnolia Electric Company

Apparently there's this guy named Jason Molina whose jangly voice and honky-tonk geetar owe a great debt to Neil Young and who had a band called songs: ohia. Apparently he renamed his band after one of the latter band's album titles. And apparently the hazy barroom rock sounds as sweet as Tennessee bourbon whiskey on Magnolia Electric Company's debut live release. If you're wondering why all the parenthetical talk, it's because Molina's as new to me as he might (or might not) be to you. And apparently I'm kicking myself for not discovering him about five years ago.

The Dark Don't Hide It [MP3, 6.8MB, 160kbps]
Cross the Road [MP3, 5.9MB, 160kbps]
Leave the City [MP3, 6.8MB, 128kbps]

www.secretlycanadian.com
www.songsohia.com

Windsor for the Derby

Waaaaay back in the late '90s, WFTD built a modest rep on synthy post-rock instrumentals. Now they've taken to delicate (still synthy) melodies, narrative lyrics, and generally sounding all grown up. And, holy extreme makeover, does it sound alright to these ears...

Melody of a Fallen Tree [MP3, 7.5MB, 128kbps]
A Spring Like Sixty [MP3, 4.3MB, 128kbps]

www.secretlycanadian.com

Havergal

Prairie drawl and bug zapper glitches = campfire music for the computer age.

I Am a Frequency [MP3, 5.6MB, 160kbps]

www.secretlycanadian.com