Lopez Blogs

Sigh. Once again the epitomy of pop is passing me by. While people seem to be loving Lykke Li (too much of a faux pas potential should i not pronounce her name correctly), adoring Antigone (brilliant name, decent song) and devouring Darren Hayes' tour dvd (too dark - though he does an illuminating interview with XO that is just spectacular), I've been left a little cold or more accurately underwhelmed by the hype surrounding these peeps. It's not that they are not good - they are to certain levels, just not for me in terms of living up to the hype. I'll stick with the astounding Oh Laura and incredible Isabel Guzman ta very much - and dip my toes into the waters of these fine folk:

IDA MARIA - FORTRESS ROUND MY HEART:

Well, let's face it I am hardly cutting edge with Ida Maria. She has been around for ages and Sony BMG are quite proudly proclaiming that her debut album has received a bonza Pitchfork review. Oooo! (Done with wiggling fingers and raised eyebrows in mocked impressed but not really look. You know what I mean). However, it took a stunning dance remix of her latest single "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" to make me prick up my ears (painful!) and pay attention. While the digital dog remixes of that track are pretty propulsive and funky, it was her live lounge chat with Jo Wiley last week that made me want more more more. She was utterly charming when Jo pronounced her name wrong, and quite lovely when Jo assumed she was Swedish (she's not. She's norwegian). When Jo asked her about a cracked rib during a stage show (yes yes how Roisin Murphy) she sighed and sidestepped the question in a way that said "i'm so bored of your tedium. Let me sing" and a nation cheered. The album kicks off with bold and folksy Oh My God. No Kaiser Chiefs cover here, the tune is a cold water blast of nordic melodic indie pop that sounds quite glorious and was quite rightly a smash in her home country. Instantly the listener is thrust into the crazy fragile world of Ida, who pleads for a cure for her life. Drive Away My Heart continues to peek into the delicate mind of Ida with it's Oh Laura-esque mournful lyrics and her voice straining with emotion. It's quite poignant and reflective for anyone who has been stuck in a destructive relationship.

Louis is a proper poppy pop tune that segueways nicely into the glorious current UK chart smash "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked", which really says it all doesn't it? I can't help but wonder what an album full of her tracks remixed by dance gurus would sound like. Not that it needs it, but because it gives such an alternative slant to her sound. Anyway, Naked is a crackerjack song that positively fizzes with energy and it's no surprise the girl has a bit of a rest next up with the mid tempo You Keep Me Warm where she praises the use of cig-GAR-rettes and coffee to lovely indulgent effect. It's back to poppy indie goodness with the most insincere apology ever to a shitty lover on Forgive Me. It's like a post modern U Ought To Know. Stella approaches the subject of a hooker being given control of the world, and Ida searches into her relationship with a higher power further with the gentle acoustic See Me Through ("I can't believe in you just because I'm afraid you're true"). It's probably an album not to everyone's taste, but for me it's lovely and all embracing and I just want to press repeat as the last note plays.
SINGLES: Oh My God; Drive Away My Heart; Stella; Queen Of The World; I Like You So Much Better...
MP3 (Legal download): I Like You So Much Better (live acoustic)

PACIFIC! - REVERIES:

I think it was on Worrapolava that I first heard about Pacific! then was reminded again in this month's Gay Times. The album Reveries has just been released and what a corking little piece of work it is too. Absolutely perfect for cool summer evenings when there is just a hint of cloud in the sky, the Swedish duo have created a laid back, 80s inspired sound that still crackles with their own musical input and interpretation. Whereas acts like Morningwood, Stefy et al are all happy to delve into the 80s and replicate the sound (that's not to say they don't produce decent tunes - i thought stefy were ace! And i'm all for replication!) it is just more prominent when additional personality and thought are added to the mix. Pacific! give a summery breeze to the synth soaked Sunset Boulevard, while adding some lovely layered harmonies that give the song a depth and resonance it deserves. Hold Me is almost the entire 80s influence in one song with more gorgeous harmonies and a chorus Human League would be proud of. Brian Wilson is obviously a hero of the guys as the layered vocals reach Wilson Phillips proportions on the fantastic Number One. Complete with beeping synths, bells and a swirling elegance that brings to mind Air, it's an utterly gorgeous song and would sound great played loud at a BBQ (i'll let you know on Saturday at RuthieLoos). By the time you get up to single Hot Lips, you feel like you've been at an 80s party, yet one so cool that no one really knew about it at the time. Prepare to fall in love and fall in love hard with Love Isn't Always On Time because it really is a stunning creation that much like that beautiful boy you once lusted after, will end up breaking your fragile heart. I was surprised by how layered and beautiful this album was, and yes along with Ida, Isabel and Oh Laura is one of my fave european finds of the year.
Singles: Hot Lips; Disappear; Love Isn't Always On Time; Number One

Other Scandinavian goodness thanks to Nick Alienhitter:

• Standfast - No Longer (gorgeous summer classic)
• Kitty and The K - By The Way (as funky pop fun as their name suggests)

back soon with more :P