With each new release, I've become a bigger and bigger fan of GOT7 (and it certainly helped seeing them live in LA this summer). Generally, I prefer their more upbeat, positive stuff, which is why A and Just Right are my two favorite singles they've released. If You Do is much darker in tone and style, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The production is incredibly smooth and the vocals filled with angst. I particularly adore the repeated 80's synths that open the track. Weirdly enough, I loved the song on first listen, but wasn't quite sure about it for a little while after. Then today, on my eighth (or so) listen, it all clicked. It's nice to see that the guys can pull off a different sound. I hope their next single is back to the fun times, but this is a nice little melodic break.
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For the first time in months, I've got two back-to-back Swedish tracks in a row! And barring one English refrain in this one, they're both performed in Swedish as well. I'm not sure how I missed this debut track by Emil Berg. I really don't know anything about him, but when I saw his most recent single sitting on top of the Swedish iTunes store, I became very curious. I liked what I heard from the preview, but I was even more enamored with Du Swipa Höger (You Swipe Right). This is my favorite type of Swedish track. Clubby, but cool and unique. The production is top notch and has a great European quality to it that goes beyond just the language. The chorus sticks for days. It all appears to be some take-off/play on tinder dating, which makes me happy I can't understand the lyrics. I'll stick to appreciating the flawless melody instead.
Darin's new album (and first with his new sound) came out at the end of the last week. It's a gorgeous suite of autumnal folk-pop with a modern production twist. I love that it's all sung in Swedish, and that we really get to hear Darin's amazing vocals. When I first heard the album, Följa John (Follow The Leader) was the track that stood out. I applaud the new folk direction (mostly), but for me Darin is at his best when he's putting those sensationally powerful vocals to good use on an anthemic dance track. Följa John might not be as "dance" as he's gotten before, but the chorus definitely soars and I'd say it's the most uptempo track on the album. It was actually co-written by Peter Kvint, who also co-wrote some of my favorite songs by the Ark. He's one of my favorite Swedish songwriters, and it's a match made in heaven here. I hope it's a single at some point.
...Transmissions come in from outposts all over the universe... Unfamiliar melodies stream into our radios... Fronted by colorful aliens with big voices... The music begins to catch on ... It's in our heads and it refuses to leave... And we like it...
