TTIHPLTY part 1; Electronic Music from Scandinavia

Of the things that I have particularly enjoyed this year, electronic music from northern Europe is fairly near to the top of the list. My particular personal favourites are diskJokke and Kleerup, both of whom released albums of distinct and unique joy in 2008, although there are others I might give props to in summation later on.

I almost feel frustrated that it should be the Scandinavian stuff that gets me going most in this genre, as much of the indiepop I listen to streams over from there too. I feel a mite predictable in my tastes in this area. It's not my fault that they do it best though. 

So first fave from last year is diskJokke's Staying In. It's a luscious, varied onslaught of deeply layered and intricate synth delight. Opening track Folk i Farta introduces the album's themes perfectly, with a rolling piano riff leading into a driving disco beat and an obscene synth jerk. The main reasons that I like this record are fairly straightforward; it is fun to listen to, and it is very aurally satisfying. I love phat synth sounds, and I love Moroder disco. This record has enough to keep my Moroder cravings in check, and enough depth to yield new pleasures through repeated listening. I could barely sit still the first time I listened to it on the bus home from work. It is a classy, funky belter of an album that it is actually worth staying in for (sorry).

Next up is Kleerup's self titled album, which is on a slightly different tip to the diskJokke, but retains quite a lot in common with it despite this. This is a pure pop album, featuring guest vocals from the likes of Robyn, Marit Bergman, Nenah Cherry and Lykke Li. Kleerup is best known for his work with Robyn on international smash With Every heartbeat, which features here. Possibly the most surprising thing about this album is the fact that that single isn't the tallest poppy in the field. In my opinion, it is one of, if not the, best number ones of the decade and the rest of the album manages to keep the quality as high. There is more than a dollop of Moroder on show here too, but used to a different end. Whereas diskJokke uses the disco beats and rhythms as foundations upon which to build his own more modern melodies, Kleerup takes the essence of songs like The Chase as instruction for the atmosphere of his own pop. It is a glossy, shiny album full of songs that sound like the sort of things that sit in the charts for months on end, the zenith of which is the Titiyo collaboration Longing for Lullabies, which I'm almost tempted to call a classic. The strange thing about this album is that it hasn't provided a year's worth of chart fodder. It hasn't even been released in the UK, and looks set to be a "What's this? It's really good- type album forever more. I am willing to confess that it has probably missed it's window for major success, and it does sound a couple of years old now. That does nothing, however, to diminish the pleasure that high-quality, ethereal pop can induce.

In this sphere, honourable mention goes to Nordpolen, Air France, Detektivbyrån and The Rice Twins 

the things i have particularly liked this year

I haven't written anything for a very long time. For this I have no excuse, other than a very busy spell at work and the fact that it doesn't matter to anyone at all. I did start a couple of abortive posts, only to be waylaid or think better of it.

Another reason for the wait, beyond my lassitude, has been my utterly pointless worrying and wrangling over what my albums and songs of the year and all that guff would be.

Before I get cracking, a few quick events to recount/report. Currently back on track with work, following a couple of months of pretty prevalent ennui. Apparently, the reason I don't get to do more is that my boss worries I'll get poached. It's hard to know how to react to that, but I suppose it is nice to hear. I can't help but like the man- he once ordered a finger bowl so that he could eat his salad with his hands in a posh restaurant.



Also, on a less jolly tip, I got jumped by a couple of hoodlums the other day and had my Dj bag stolen. Goodbye to a lifetime's worth of collecting. One interesting factor in this has been aggregating where individual records rank in the order of replacement priority. First on my list is 'Discography', by the Pet Shop Boys, which I didn't really see coming. It also seems that my Space obsession was more than a fad. As this video illustrates, they are bloody wick, and Daft Punk owe their career to them.




I am also mourning Dan Deacon's Spiderman of the Rings a great deal, and Sébastien Tellier's Sexuality, but more for the objects than the music.

So, rather than writing one very long post about my favourite things from the last year, I think I'll take them on in dribs and drabs. Right now, I'm unsure what format the revelation of this stuff will take. I might do the albums one by one, or in categories, or a song and an album at a time or something. Trial and error, for now, will have to be my method. I think i will probably do a separate section for Scandinavian stuff, as a lot of what I like has come from that region this year. There again, perhaps i won't be bovved.

FYI, the bits and pieces that come out of this are likely to overlook some of my favourites, as i have no music in Brighton with me to spark my memory, and no ipod to tell me which have been played the most. Also, I will be writing about personal favourites of mine. I don't necessarily think that they are objectively the best, but they are fucking good and if you don't agree then nevermind, that's your prerogative. As much as any other reason, I bother writng this as a chance to flag up things i think are worthy of noticing.

I'll start the rundown (of sorts) next time I'm at the computer. For now, be well!