Vinsten - Keep That Dream Alive

"Once alone, I could never know"

In a world where it seems less and less likely that we're going to get another album from Sweden's brilliant Sound Of Arrows, I'll settle for anything that sounds remotely familiar. Vinsten are well known for their single Luckiest Girl, which was transformed into something quite epic via a remix my producer extraordinaire Bassflow. They've kept with that template and gone dancey with this new single, and I couldn't be happier. I hope that the plan is to keep with this sound, because it really suits them. The production especially is a highlight. It has that surging, dramatic backbeat that I loved so much throughout Sound Of Arrows' Voyage album. It's kind of a dream-like, spacey sound.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Ola - This Could Be Paradise

"All I see is rainbow tears"

At the beginning of the year, I was almost certain that Ola Svensson's latest album would end up to be my favorite of the year. Turns out that won't be the case. That doesn't mean the album isn't amazing... it just hasn't had the staying power with me personally that I'd expected it to. I'm not even sure why that is, except maybe that the singles are so perfect that they overshadow most everything else around them. That said, it's still awesome that Ola's released a new track. It might only be available in Russia right now (which is interesting because the lyrics seem to be a rallying cry for gay rights), but the edgy dance sound fits in perfectly with the album and will certainly be added to the tracklist on my ipod. This Could Be Paradise is the kind of easy, effortlessly cool dance/club track that Swedish artists seem to be able to compose in their sleep. I can't get enough of this kind of stuff. And best of all, it's inspiring me to give that album another spin after months of gathering dust.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Ola Salo - Vi Va Dom

Finally! It took four attempts, but Ola Salo has created the type of cover song that I'd been waiting for during his stint on Sweden's Så mycket bättre. And honestly, the reason I like it is because it basically sounds like something he would've performed with the Ark. Vi Va Dom is a track originally performed by off-kilter electro artist Familjen. The original's already pretty damn good, but Ola's given it that glam rock pomp that he's legendary for and turned it into a total anthem. This is what I hope, hope, hope his inevitable solo album will sound like, but I'm preparing myself for something much more subdued. Seriously, though, who can resist that hook with the background vocals and epic guitars? Even the vocal production and arrangement, that I've been complaining about when it comes to Salo's more recent work, is on point. More of this, please. Yeah, I'm one of those annoying fans that never wants the guy to change. When you've already captured perfection with the Ark, there's really only no where else to go beside what's been proven awesome.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Wang Rong Rollin - Chick Chick

I'm not usually all that interested in stupid novelty "viral" songs, and especially not ones with animal noises (ie: What The Fox Say), but this is my kind of crazy. I often associate China with music that's honestly kind of bland when compared to other Asian countries. This is anything but bland. I'm not going to say much more. Either you've seen this piece of ridiculous perfection already or you need to watch it now. Give it two viewings at least. Let it sink in...