HOT TRAXXX: Make U Move

MP3: Juvelen - Make U Move

The mighty Juvelen is now back, after three years of laying dormant with a straight banger. "Make U Move" comes from the EP of the same name, and picks up right where the one man boy band left off with 1. You can purchase this phenomenal EP from Amazon and start the party instantly. Juvelen shows all of those other weak-ass pop acts how it's to be done. Enjoy.

No new photos, nor a new record that I know of.

MP3: Juvelen - All-Time High

Juvelen is back, and getting a bit seedy...but in the Juvelen way. Enjoy.

¡En vivo!

MP3: Jonathan Johansson - Aldrig Ensam (acoustic)

After seeing the stellar video of this performance, I was extremely happy when the always generous (and quality) Hybris sent a link to an audio recording out. To pull off such a breathtakingly minimal pop song live is another thing altogether. It's a performance worth shedding a tear over, and I cannot wait to hear his followup record.

NY ELIAS

MP3: Elias and the Wizzkids - Waste Of Time

Any of you IAT! readers know in my review of this record, I gushed rather vociferously over the new Elias and the Wizzkids album—and why not? It sure is deserving of such accolades, as their tackling of the pop-rock gamut is done exceedingly well and excruciatingly detailed. A real triumph, and here is the lead song from it—one to kick off the springtime in sunny fashion.

Montymontymontymontymonty

MP3: Monty - En Till Himmel (featuring Lorentz)

This is the new Monty (nee Montt Mardié på Svensk for those who don't know) single. David Pagmar's songcraft has improved immensely over the past few years, and this is another step forward, but more in the direction of straight-forward pop. I cannot wait to hear this album, which is out in February via the mighty Hybris.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #24 - The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes

MP3: Andreas Mattsson - Summer of Speed

#24 - Andreas Mattsson - The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes
Hybris Records 2006

Matt On The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes:

Taking years to make, the former Popsicle man eschews the meticulousness craft and delicacy with which he crafted a very, very underrated pop masterpiece. In years time, I hope this album is looked at in the manner it deserves.

The mighty return of Montt Mardié.

MP3: Montt Mardié - Bang, Bang (Echo In Warsaw)

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the Matt Giordano, who might like fine carpeting. Do you? Fuck yeah!

After an excessively unneeded "Best of" compilation (the three new songs are killer and serve as a segue to this) which took from two albums, Montt Mardié's proper label delivers us his third album. Out on the 9th April via Hybris, Skaizerkite finds Montt bidding adieu to the big band leanings of his first two albums in favor of a more refined, yet still luchly arranged, sound. The pop is turned up a few notches, and if you could call this anything it would be his arena-rock album. I expect the shows in support of this to be equally triumphant and huge.

You may have missed: "1".

MP3: Juvelen - They Don't Love You

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Juvelen's "1" is an album myself and frequent contributor Matt Giordano have been championing since it's release and it is one that continues to grow and surprise each time it gets dusted off. In a landscape full of dance pop Prince wanna be's, Juvelen is the only one to take the genre to the next level, brining the correct amount of hipness and swagger to make the ladies swoon all night and the dance floor sweaty. This may be the sexiest album of our generation, and certainly of 2008.

The good news for us in the States and the better news for those NYC/CMJ bound is you will have a chance to see the Swedish wonder at work: He's in town. One gig is with the super incredible Starfucker, so don't miss out. Straight from the Hybris mouth:

Juvelen will play live at CMJ in New york next week! We will also be there, so get in touch if you want to meet up!

Three gigs in all:

1.
The Electric Bowery
Weds Oct 22 6-9pm FREE
Happy Hour Swedish Music Showcase $4 drinks
with Razzia/ Hybris/I Made This Records
presented by ITSATRAP. COM and International Rescue Artist Development
at Bowery Electric - downstairs
327 Bowery (at 2nd St), NYC
Firefox Ak 6:20
Juvelen 7Pm
Hello Saferides 8pm

2.
Weds Oct 22After the Jump on Wed night @ Knitting Factory
Main

8 PM Starfucker
8 45 PM Unicycle Loves You
9 30 PM Bad Veins
10:30 Crystal Antlers
11:30 Heloise and the Savoir Faire
12:30 Juvelen

3.
Saturday, Oct 25 Kanine Records and Friends UnCMJ Party:
Crashin In At Public Assembly (70 N6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn,NY

With live performances by:

Front Room
4:00pm-5:00pm Sky Larkin(Wichita)
5:00pm-6:00pm PRE(Deleted Art)
6:00pm-7:00pm Radio 4
7:00pm-8:00pm Holy Hail(Kanine Records)
8:00pm-9:00pm The Muslims
9:00pm-10:00pm Shock Cinema(Kanine Records)
11:00pm-12:00am The Mae Shi(Moshi Moshi)
12:00am-1:00am Cut Off Your Hands(679 Records)
1:00am-2:00am Johnny Foreigner(Best BeforeRecords)
2:00am-3:00am The Uglysuit(Touch & Go Records)
3:00am-4:00am Juvelen(Hybris)

"1" is out now from Hybris.

{purchase juvelen recordings from parasol}

The Kid

MP3: The Kid - I just wanna play punk like daddy did

The Kid put out "Transient Blood" a couple of months back, and sadly I am only getting to it now. It's a more polished affair, still brining the goth-electro-pop jams that you've come to love, sometimes with a little bit of sun. Case in point: "I just wanna play punk like daddy did", infectious from start to all-too-soon finish, it'll have your body waving about in glee, arm extended/finger in the air with "let's go down now"'s swimming from your lungs and the urge to indeed play punk like daddy did.

"Transient Blood" is out now from Hybris.

{purchase the kid recordings from hybris}

Juvelen comes to NYC, city gets wet

MP3: Juvelen - They Don't Love You

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from promotin' Matt Giordano. He's up on his soapbox, so if you're in NYC area, you best be listening! Fuck yeah!

The almighty Juvelen is descending upon New York City this month to teach we Americans how pop music should be made.

Dates and specific set times:
06/21 - Mercury Lounge 7:30pm
06/28 - Rockwood Music Hall 12:30am
06/30 - The Annex 7:30pm
07/01 - Rehab 9:30pm

Vapnet

MP3: Vapnet - Plötsligt händer det inte

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the invincible Matt Giordano, who was kind enough to send in another post in our attempt to make this blog a complete Hybris tribute. Fuck yeah!

Not only does Vapnet create some great tunes, but they've become somewhat prolific, offering up new music every year since their inception. It's all been quality, and it's all had that nice spring/summer vibe emanating throughout the music even if the lyrics did not. Two years ago "Thomégränd" was my song of the summer, and if this new single is reflective of their highly anticipated new album Döda Fallet, then I wouldn't be surprised if a track would end up taking the prize again. This track is the proper single, which is out now on the ever stellar Hybris, and is fucking brilliant. Enjoy.

{purchase vapnet recordings from hybris}

Don't Mess With Juvelen

MP3: Juvelen - Don't Mess

Holy fuck, he's done it again! Not that it's a shocker, but after Juvelen's excellent debut ep on Hybris last year (which both me and Matt featured on our top 10 lists and both posted about here on this blog) we finally get a glimpse at what is sure to be a front runner for album of the year.

And what a song it is! The trademark falsetto is in full swing, as well as his trademark gash slaying with his lady loving lyrics and general confidence. Don't you worry Juvelen, we won't ever mess around with your love.

Download this NOW. Then buy the ep if you don't have it already. Fuck yeah.

{purchase juvelen recordings from it's a trap!}

TIAC

MP3: TIAC - Catalogue of failures

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Matt Giordano. Since it is Sunday, he is probably off playing football (soccer). Goal? Fuck yeah.

This one kind of came out of nowhere. TIAC hadn't put anything out for around two years (and on a label with some very active artists), and now they're back with one of the best singles of the year. Seriously, melody will be in your head all day and night, drifting amongst the downtrodden words. Lightheartedly, you'll be dancing in your room to this before you go out and dance to a song that, in your head, will still be this one.


{purchase TIAC recordings from hybris}

Juvelen

MP3: Juvelen - Watch Your Step

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the original gangsta Matt Giordano, who hopes to get the band back together in December. Fuck yeah.

Juvelen is currently making some of the best flat-out pop music these days, and that's quite an accomplishment. He released his debut EP, which this track is from, this past January with an LP proper due later this fall. Resurrecting all that is great about pop music—and coincidentally what has been missing from it for almost two decades—Juvelen has actually brought sexy back, as opposed to those who have claimed to.

{purchase juvelen recordings from it's a trap}