Lopez Blogs

Monday morning is a great time to start week with some good live performances and I have something to show you right for this case!
Fund Rosa Bandet fighting with breast cancer has arranged its annual concert last week this time involving some real pop-veterans.
Lisa Miskovsky preparing her new album "Violent sky" that's going to be out very soon performed her first single "Lover" from it. Legendary singer Helen Sjöholm premiered her single "Kvinnan För Dig" - cover of Billy Joel's "She's Always A Woman" with Swedish lyrics by Tomas Andersson Wij, this song is from forthcoming Helen's tribute album "Euforia - Helen Sjöholm sjunger Billy Joel". Peter Jöback is also ready for new release of his live-album "En kväll med Peter Jöback" that will include his latest single "Inte redo än" so this song was also performed during concert. And the last performance was by Bo Kaspers Orkester who's just released album "New Orleans" but were singing their old song "Ett Ögonblick I Sänder".
Lovely set from respectable artists so enjoy performances right below.

Helen Sjöholm - Kvinnan För Dej
Lisa Miskovsky - Lover
Bo Kaspers Orkester - Ett Ögonblick I Sänder
Peter Jöback - Inte Redo Än

Another date for your diaries - one of Sweden's hottest music award ceremonies will take place on Saturday 22 January 2011 at Lisebergshallen in Gothenburg. I refer of course to the P3 Guldgalan!

The nominees will be revealed at a press conference at the beginning of December, by which time we should also know about the artists performing at the ceremony. Of course there are always surprises too, like the January 2010 Guldgalan performance by Staygold featuring Spank Rock, Robyn and a certain Damien Adore....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA9UA3CSnms

More information at http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/press/artikel.asp?artikel=4138656

Officially Queen of Swedish dance-pop September's back with brand new single "Resuscitate Me" and we're giving you first full listen of new song!
The word "comeback" is gonna sound a bit weird for most as it was just year before when September did a hard promotion with bunch of her hits leading by world-hit "Cry For You" but still real hardcore fans were waiting for completely new stuff as the last studio album "Dancing Shoes" was released 3 years ago and since that Petra Marklund worked on pushing her old stuff around the world with different re-editions and compillations.
So finally it's here, brand new single "Resuscitate Me" written and produced among others by Cutfather responsible for Basshunter's "Saturday", Kylie's "Get Outta My Way" and Shayne Ward's "Gotta Be Somebody".
Talking about the song, "Resuscitate Me" sounds a lot in conception of Brittish "Cry For You - The Album" and on the other hand using formula of Agnes' international breakthrough tracks particularly international version of "I Need You Now". It's a melodic radio-friendly dance-track with loads of strings and Petra's hot vocal containing tonnes of personality in every single key. Single will be released on November 17th and new album "Love CPR" is planned for beginning of next year. Check full-length song right here right now!

This Autumn gave us two happy news from Nina Persson - vocalist of legendary Swedish band The Cardigans!
First one is that Nina and Nathan Larson gave birth to their first child - son Nils on 30th September. Family's feeling fine and currently lives in New York. Our congratulations to parents and little Nils!
Second news are regarding music activity of Nina. Georg Wadenius, famous Swedish musician, is releasing new compillation "Reconnection" in collaboration with some popular artists like Abba's Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad), Peter Jöback, Kleerup and Helen Sjöholm. Mostly it's acoustic calm tracks with gentle live instrumentals and cover for Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" made by Nina is not exception. It's the melancholic beautiful song with acoustic sound that could be easily found on any Nina's previous projects albums so this work should be welcome among hungry The Cardigans fans. Also you should check Frida's cover of Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken" below and samples of other tracks here.

Like many other Swedish pop-artists Carola's preparing for annual Christmas tour due to dates on her site it's gonna be really active tour. Earlier this year I've given you a tip to her tribute-concert devoted to Elvis and Barbra Streisand covers in Dalhalla. It was showed on TV4 and later it was released on DVD and due to tracklist the concert was really massive and if you're Carola's fan... Oh are you Carola's fan and still don't have it? I don't believe you! Well, however as the last Carola's studio album (not considering compillations and covers-albums) was released 4 years ago there are a lot of fans missing completely new stuff and before Royal Wedding this year they've got new Carola's single "Det är bara vi". Now Carola's presenting new piece of her music with the song "Still Love You" - beautiful classic schlager-ballad a bit in a style of "Det är bara vi" but more powerful and emotional, I bet no one Carola's ballads fan will be disappointed.

90s night on Idol, which I was initially excited about but then I saw the song choices and got a bit disappointed. But on with the show....

Daniel Norberg was at a bit of an unfair disadvantage with "Stone Me Into The Groove" as it was maybe a lesser known song than some of the others last night. But at least it was a Swedish song so I didn't complain so much. It did show off a different side to him, but I felt he suffered from the wrong song choice.

That couldn't be said for Olle Hedberg, who finally after all these weeks got to put his distinctive Olle-stamp on a song. The Olle-fied (for want of a better word) "Wonderwall" will have gone a long way to really boosting his profile in this contest. And about time too!!

I still think Elin Blom's trying a little bit too hard to look like Robyn, but that aside she delivered a nice version of "Born to Make You Happy". I don't have anything against her, but in my view she still lacks that distinctive quality to take her beyond the next couple of weeks.

One of the more intriguing things about last night was the prospect of Geir Rönning singing Pearl Jam's "Alive". He did give it his best shot only to get into a debate with Andreas Carlsson about song choice, which caused some controversy and got lots of Swedish press coverage as a result. By the way: 47. Is. Not. Old.

Confession time: I've always hated "Nothing Compares 2 U" but Linnea Henriksson's brittle, compelling version did the job yet again this week.

Andreas Weise sang Big Mountain's reggae-cover of "Baby I Love Your Way" which was yet again note-perfect. I have no problems with his voice, but as I said before, he is no 'idol' and could struggle to establish a music career due to his lack of individuality.

Bringing some rare sensitivity - for a change - was Jay Smith, who stepped very successfully out of his comfort zone on "I Want It That Way". It's a performance like this which will inevitably propel him towards that final showdown. Because, at this stage, I can't see anything else but a Jay-Linnea final. Of course I want Olle in that final, but I've got to be realistic!

Finally this week, Minnah, who seems to have got a new lease of life following her return to Idol last week. She sang "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" very well. With only three girls left in the competition, Minnah seems to have the most mainstream appeal and I can see her in the final 4.

Bottom two: Daniel and Geir - with Daniel receiving the lowest number of votes, he became the latest contestant to leave.

Next week: the theme is "love songs". To which I say.....yuck! I hate love songs. But looking forward to some good performances all the same.

New single "Nyckelring" from Style has arrived to the radio and probably it's the best song we've heard since band's comeback.
I'll remind you that this famous band with very long music history came back in 2009 with compillation of best hits and fresh single "Vill ha dej, igen". After that band has released two other fresh singles "Långsamt" and "Love kiler" which felt a bit worse in chart but still were noticed by audience. Here's another try of band with new single and this time with quite new sound. "Nyckelring" is still synth track but this time with a huge movement to RedOne's electro-pop with impressive production, nice melody and big radio-hit potential. Release of new album due to Style's Facebook page is planned for November.

In a week where i've been compared to Sue Heck (The Middle), the Hallowe'en theme is bound to work my last nerve, so I'm going to put my fizzypop alternative contestant choices right at the top this week. And kicking it all off with a rather glorious interpretation to remind you of how grand they are - it's Princes and Rogues! Above is a little video breakdown of Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Totally different interpretation, loving the Bohemian Rhapsody formation, the harmonies and the perfectly synced head turns. Genius. That's why the continue to be part of this fun little feature. Here's what I picked this week...

• Princes & Rogues ~ This Is Hallowe'en (from Nightmare Before Christmas)
• Elouise ~ Love Song For A Vampire (Annie Lennox)
• Simon Curtis ~ Touch A Touch A Touch Me (From Rocky Horror)

More next week from them - now on with the show...

• THE INTRO ~ Dermot is in a waistcoast (vest for Americans). This is very good news indeed because I do like a nice waistcoat on a fella. The judges walk on to Thriller. Dannii looks ravishing in red. Cheryl's Split End has cleared right up - obviously L'Oreal (because she's worth it) sent over some deep root nourishing shampoo and conditioner (see I can be fair!) Though her skirt looks like the ruffle I put round my Christmas tree...
• MARY ~ Even if you take into consideration the Take That version of Could It Be Magic, the song is a good 18 years old. I see she's sticking with the Joan Ferguson haircut but added some Steps-esque Better The Devil You Know type horns. Festive. I think Mary generally knows the words, she just chooses to sing them in her own order. This means there is no childish smirk factor as she omits the classic "could it be magic come" line. Sadness. It's very dramatic and quite good, but it's no Rapino Bros remix. (Louis kind of looks like the puppet on the tricycle from the Saw films tonight)... SHOULD'VE DONE: Shakira's She Wolf with leotard and requisite wolf howls. Ow-ooooo"
• AIDEN ~ Aiden really needs to do something marvelous this week to make me reconnect with him. And so he doesn't look like he's actually home in his bedroom pleasuring himself to bad Twilight fanfiction. He's doing the Imogen Heap version of Thriller and doing it incredibly tensely. Even though his "woo" and "wiggle" with Dermot last week were very cringy, I am still just willing him to bust out the disco and do some Thriller dance moves. Le sigh. I always feel like I need a valium after seeing him sing. His guyliner is actually set to racoon. (He does the thriller dance for two seconds with Dermot, and on reflection he shouldn't do it at all. Ever). SHOULD'VE DONE: Jace Everett's Bad Things...
• BELLE AMIE ~ How they weren't in the bottom two last week is beyond me. The most interesting thing about their VT is the quick flash of finely sculpted male flesh. They are doing Venus - presumably because Bananarama did a video to accompany their version which could be loosely linked to Hallowe'en, I suppose. Sheesh. The vocals are dreadful to start with, get marginally better but at least they have really mastered standing and walking in a rigid line together. bravo girls, slow clap. It wasn't great. SHOULD'VE DONE: All*Stars Things That Go Bump In The Night (and remind us all of how cute Sam Bloom was)...

• REBECCA ~ She's wearing a pilgrim's hat in the VT. Or Elphabas. It seems like she is going for a nice emotive ballad for a change. You know, just to spice it up. She actually looks marvelous on stage though and does Chris Isaak's Wicked Game. Tenuous theme link and I should also moan about her doing a slow song again. However, she absolutely captures the spirit of hallowe'en by giving an utterly spellbinding performance. It was delightful. Cheryl's ruffle loves her but I still can't work out why The Tweed is wearing a badminton net as a top. This is why Dannii has the M&S deal and she's stuck with shampoo. SHOULD'VE SUNG: Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered - History Boys Version...
• TREYC ~ She was Scared Trekless at being in the bottom two last week. She's back though and ditching the rock for pop. She promises to put blood, sweat and tears into her performance, which taken literally is incredibly repulsive. She looks like Sinitta in a hoody (which means she wouldn't be allowed in my local Tescos, or if she had more than 3 school children with her!) and does that Hallowe'en staple, Relight My Fire (because of the devil horns on tour, I'm presuming. I'm too enraged to go into why this is shoddy choosemanship!)(Plus these choices are really buggering up the potential for Take That week). Um ok. It's fine, much better towards the end. Dannii questions whether she has a signature sound or not. Simon disses Cheryl's Ruffle and the two have a row. Trek answers Dannii back. It's feisty. Dannii and Cheryl's Badminton net fume through the break. SHOULD'VE DONE: Hocus Pocus version of I've Put A Spell On You...
• MATT ~ I'm sure Dannii introduces him as Matt Hardon. I don't argue. Some girls in the VT scream "be my boyfriend, I'm from Essex" as if geographical location is all one looks for in a date/shagbuddy. He's doing Bleeding Love and i've given up on judging how songs are linked to the theme. Because periods are terrifying for young teenage girls?! It's nice to see him have a song with a beat, but it's fairly obvious he's not having a good moment. He does deliver a brilliant note just as the light shines behind him and this just about pulls it back together. I think he broke a blood vessel in his eye though. Ouch. Matt does the praying hands thank you a lot throughout his shoulder bumping hug time with the Derm. SHOULD'VE DONE: The Automatic's Monster, acoustic styl-ee...
• WAGNER ~ Louis says Wag0Nur again. Christ Alive. His pronunciation is as ridiculous as the judges bitchiness this week. There is allegedly a (sit on your) facebook campaign to get him to win the show. This is as absolutely ludicrous as trying to Family Guy's Bird Is The Word to the Christmas number one. He has borrowed Paije's redcoat jacket and Matt's burst bloodvessel eye. Lovely. He does a bit of Carmin Burina and Bat Out Of Hell. Neither well. It's on a par with Jedward's Ghostbusters from last year. He also has his guyliner set on racoon. Speechless. Dannii quotes Kath & Kim and saves the last three minutes of my life from being a total waste of time! SHOULD'VE DONE: Most probably Monster Mash or The Tubes Attack of the 50ft Woman. Who knows?!

• PAIJE ~ Zzzz. Oh sorry. Dropped off. The real terror this week will be what on earth Paije is wearing. I am warming to his starjumps in his VT however. I actually refuse to acknowledge Back To Black as a hallowe'en song so technically this fairly dull performance shouldn't even be allowed. He's this year's little aussie battler (been battling all his life, you can't stop progress, etc) and so the script says that the judges should love him. Ooo it's my shortest review this week. SHOULD'VE DONE: Defying Gravity from Wicked/Idina Menzel, all green paint, the whole shebang...
• KATIE ~ On reflection, apart from some flapping around the stage, her performance vocally didn't have a lot going on. She wears a massive muff in her VT and the script has now decided she is quirky. This terrifies me more than whatever non theme song she sings. Which i think is the Bewitched theme tune?! Dressed as The Corpse Bride mixed with Glenn Close in 101/2 Dalmatians. At this rate she will be doing I'm Going Bananas by Madonna in a few weeks. Louis is glad people identify with her talent (ie not her non-winnig personality then, though she is most natural with Dermot). STOP COMPARING HER TO GWEN STEFANI! She is not Gwen Stefani - she would never pull off a sterling failure to be the next madonna is not an option performance of What You Waiting For. SHOULD'VE DONE: Lady Gaga's Monster...
• ONE DIRECTION ~ Liam hurts his leg this week. And got his hair lightened. Harry looks increasingly like one of The Wanted. None of these salient facts are mentioned but may be in the dvd extras! I totally despair as to why Total Eclipse of the Heart (unless Eclipse = Twilight) is Hallowe'en (but then neither is my choice other than the video imagery so now I'm hypocritical). It's a perfectly nice Westlife version with a few dodgy harmonies. Probably my least fave performance of theirs, but thank god and hallelujah - Zain got in a decent note at the end. Chuffing heck. Sue Heck. Still find them entirely adorable and they will be here next week, SHOULD'VE DONE: Backstreet Boys' Backstreet's Back of course...
• CHER(YL) ~ This will either destroy Cher(yl) or have twitter spaffing up their love chuff over how magnificent it is. I'll tell you in a minute which. They sadly choose not to show her being booed at the Tinnie Tempah gig but do play Fight For This Love incase you forget that Cheryl's Badminton Net is a relevant popstar too, despite that shoddy Promise Me performance. It's Shakespear's Sister and Stay. Which honestly, only French & Saunders should do as a cover. Parts of it do work incredibly well, though she does shy away from the tougher notes. She cries at the end, with that old beauty pageant trick of stabbing herself with a bobby pin. Well played! Simon thinks it was incredible and the song of the series which means Twitter is ejaculating praise and glory on this performance as I write. I liked it. I've seen better...SHOULD'VE DONE: Probably this, i begrudgingly admit. Why have I gone from loving her so to being so irritated by her that even good performances put me off? Anyone?!

Fave 3 ~ Rebecca, Matt, Mary
Bottom 2 ~ Belle Amie & Wagner...

This Saturday we've got new episode of "Så mycket bättre" and this time artists made covers for Di Leva's biggest hits. Thomas Di Leva is one of the most special artists of Sweden, popular but performing not so accessible music for most of non-Swedish listeners, so to be honestly there weren't songs I've fallen for but still we had amazing Petra Marklund that automatically made whole thing interesting for me. This time Petra as expected showed her new side with indie-smelling track "Vem ska jag tro på" with emotional rise in the end, you should check this performance. And as I can't recommend you any other covers I'm attaching another old Petra's cover for Dilba's classic hit "I'm Sorry" that she performed in the beginning of her career.

Lill-Babs - Vi får vingar när vi älskar
September - Vem ska jag tro på
Lasse Berghagen - Vi har bara varandra
Plura - Miraklet
Petter - Dansa din djävul
Christer Sandelin - Naked number one

Preliminary selection of two Melodifestivalen-2011 participants are coming closer to the hottest point - live final that will be held in around a week when on November 8th we'll see 5 finalists competing to get just two tickets to Melodifestivalen. So very soon we'll know who will perform with hugest Swedish stars on one stage and hopefully will become new schlager-star and we're glad to present you our biggest hope of Webbjoker-contest - Engla who's competing with the song "Don't Stop" - very fresh jazzy track delievered with impressively strong and beautiful Engla's vocal, anthemic pop-chorus and completely ecstatic key-change growing and growing till the last note.

Hi Engla. It's amazing that you're in competition, strong pop-song built by all rules of schlager-contest but still in experimental and fresh sound is brilliant decision. Was it your plan when you started to work on the song for the contest or "Don't Stop" has come naturally before you with Sargon Jakob who has written the song decided to send it to Webbjokers-contest?

Hi! Well, I met Sargon and we decided to start working together. He told me that he would write me a song and that he had a something that he was already working on, although he couldn’t promise anything. After a couple of days he called me and presented me the song and I thought, “Hmm…this is Schlager candy,. I want this one” hihi. The idea with the Webbjoker came up and we decided to try it out.

You have such a well-trained professional vocal, I suppose it's Christina Aguilera who provided backing vocals for "my heart is on the rush" part, do you have some music education behind or in a process of studying?

I’m blushing :) I wish it was Xtina! I started an education, but dropped out after a year. The rest comes from the Universe and from training. But Sargon gets out the best of me when we record which is great help in the studio.

Sure living in Sweden it's hard completely not to follow Melodifestivalen as viewer, but have you dreamed entering it before as artist or this idea has appeared just recently?

Yes! It was a dream and still it is, because it is Sweden’s greatest and finest music competition. And to stand in the front of the Swedish people and represent them would be an honor.

Next year already has such a huge names like Danny, Sanna Nielsen, Linda Bengtzing. What do you consider as your strongest side to stand a fight with well-established melo-stars?

All these artist are very talented! But I think and do believe that I deliver something that is a bit different. I will give the Swedish audience something new and fresh. I have to believe in myself and my song, and I really do!

Question that maybe sounds a bit unoriginal but I just have to ask you. Which Melodifestivalen song(s) can you call your biggest favorite(s)?

Carola – Främling! Even though I wasn’t born haha!

Ok, let's imagine that you're already invited to MF. Can you tell conception of your dream performance, just forget about budgets, scale of Globen, allowed number of team members on the stage and so on, free your imagination and tell how do you see yourself on the stage of Melodifestivalen?

Wow! My concept would be filled with feelings but as a true artist I don’t want to reveal anything, even though it is just an imagination. I also would like to thank everyone who has voted for me and please continue.

Thank so much for interview Engla, we keep our fingers crossed, wish you best of luck and ask everyone who lives in Sweden - please DON'T STOP voting for this amazing song sending sms 142 to number 72211, cost is just a 3,60 kr, not a big price to get such a wonderful song to Melodifestivalen-2011! See you in Globen dear Engla!

THANK YOU!

VOTE!!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!!

I'm not normally a massive fan of Hallowe'en - especially after my mom calls to say I am just like "that Sue Heck from the tv programme The Middle" WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?! Charmant. However, Hallowe'en is the final gasp of life for the cork that plugs my obsession with Christmas. November 1st is always a good barometer of when I can start being festive far too early. Still, I'm having an ace gang spooky weekend - Scared Shrekless, some Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors, Saw 3D and of course The X-Factor Hallowe'en theme week (despite my absolute and irrational rage about some of the song choices! Relight My Fire?! OH COME ON!) Then, unbeknownst to them (until they read this, evil cackle), I shall foist my annual viewing of The Nightmare Before Christmas upon them. Mwah haha ha ha! It is bloody good though isn't it? And to get you in the festive mood, here are some more Christmas previews after a flash of This Is Hallowe'en...

• Bananarama ~ Baby It's Christmas: I don't normally like writing about songs that you can't generally hear yet. It makes me feel snobby and elitish - which is exactly how Hugh Grant felt about being serviced by Martine "where the fuck is my fucking coat" McCutcheon in the greatest Christmas film of all time - Love, Actually. But this track is so good that I must sing it from the rooftops. Or at least give you a little preview of what it is like. 1) It fits very well with the Viva Bananarama sound but also wouldn't sound out of place on Girls Aloud Christmastry... 2) It's very synth driven with a pulsing disco beat, ooos-ahhs, and sleigh bells 3) The vocals are very wistful with a hint of melancholy... 4) The lyrics are equally heartbreaking - sample "Remember how we kissed that time/the mistletoe and too much wine/At Christmas time - baby it's Christmas". Sniffle... As soon as this is widely available to listen to, I'll direct you! OH! And there is an extended mix. Teardrops on the disco floor festive fantastic!
• A Very Glee Christmas: The Rocky Horror Glee special was actually quite decent. Mostly. It has got me singing Touch A Touch A Touch Me all the live long week. Now Glee is set to challenge Ally McBeal as the purveyor of greatest Christmas episodes ever by having it's own Christmas special. With accompanying album! Imagine! The marketing possibilities! The sales! Now, that's the true meaning of Christmas :)
• St Etienne ~ A Glimpse of Stocking: Now here's some Christmas news that has had me bashing out I Was Born On Christmas Day all week, much to everyone's annoyance. The mighty and hallowed St Etienne are doing a festive album. Of all new songs (ie written by them). It's going to be glorious. All the details are here, and if anyone wants to buy me the personalised version please feel free to do so because I'm broke from Kylie & Take That tickets/Robbie merchandise...
• (For previous Christmas previews see here and here)

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain (RE/Vid)
20 ~ Ola, Riot (NE)
19 ~ Darin, Microphone (NE)
18 ~ Charlotte Church, Back To Scratch
17 ~ James Blunt, Stay The Night
16 ~ Gravitonas, Religious
15 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together
14 ~ A1, In Love & I Hate It
13 ~ Joe McElderry, Ambitions
12 ~ McFluz, Shine A Light
11 ~ Grobbie, Shame
10 ~ Westlife, Safe
09 ~ JLS, Love You More
08 ~ Brandon Flowers, Only The Young
07 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag
06 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
05 ~ Deborah Gibson, I Love You
04 ~ Robbie Williams, Heart & I
03 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
02 ~ Take That, The Flood
01 ~ Andrea Lewis ft Simon Curtis, Talk To Me (3 weeks)

Here's 7384th reason for Swedish pop fan to dream about live in Sweden. You can wake up in the morning, switch on TV and watch ads with Sarah Dawn Finer singing cover of classic Osvaldo Farrés' hit "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" covered before by The Pussycat Dolls, Julio Iglesias, both ex-spicies Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and many-many others. Just like other covers performed by Sarah this version is again very personal, beautiful and seems like no one can so easily own the song like she does perhaps, perhaps...no, for real, for real, for real!

In June I told you about amazing collaboration between new Swedish club sensation Alex Sayz and sweet Sibel Redzep in new trance track "United As One". Finally we've got video treatment for this song. Probably best Sibel's video so far, very nice shot with loads of erotic scenes (yes, we have a week of erotic music videos started yesterday by Robyn) in slow motion, though water falling in slow motion is not the newest idea I still think that it's very beautiful and it works. However Alex and Sibel don't seem to have a wish to participate in all this love fest so they just have a dinner throwing food to each other with nothing but love in their eyes. And no, they're not gonna lick a cream from each other, they're just too hot to make it standard!

Robyn probably should take awards of the most active Swedish pop-star of 2010, it's difficult not to hear any news about her at around week. However these news were long-awaited. Video for new single "Indestructible" opening road for third third part of trilogy "Body Talk" is released and after a short period of tasting new single I can say it's officialy amazing! Robyn always find a keys and words simple but touching and understood to anyone so her songs turn to be something much more sighnificant and deep than common pop-stuff and the latest single proves it one more time. Video for "Indestructible" turned to be quite erotic thing with loads of sex scenes and Robyn in some sort of artificial veins with different color blood running randomly inside. Quite futuristic and hypnotizing picture.

Finally we've got some real music news from Play!
Girls were in the spot whole year after re-union in the beginning of the year on the show "Made in Sweden" and realesing #1 single "Famous" and successful album "Under My Skin" in April they were touring a lot in Sweden. Recently girls have got offer from Disney Channel to record soundtrack for new film "Avalon High" and extremely recorded the song "Destiny" just for one day so it's gonna be soundtrack to the final scene. And it should be perfect final song as "Destiny" is modern epic ballad sounding quite internationally but still it's Play in every key.
Credits for the great find to our priceless friend FizzyPop!!

E.M.D. seems to finally define date of their long-awaited second album "Rewind" on December 3rd (I guess many dreamed about such Christmas present) and ready to perform new official single - another cover from 90s - "What Is Love" by Haddaway. Another big hit from the past in Sweden and undoubtfully another successful single of E.M.D.
Already tomorrow E.M.D. are planning to perform new single on Idol-show (contest that gave birth to every of them - Erik, Mathias and Danny) but single is already digitally on sale so below and here you can listen promo-snippet of E.M.D.'s "What Is Love" that turned to be unexpectedly dark and tragic but very beautiful ballad. Check it!

Shayne of the Ward is back people. And frankly it's been far too long. I feel like he should be either readying his fourth album or a greatest hits by now as it's been 3 long years since he left us Breathless (and thanked our mothers for giving us birth). Let's not be churlish though - my fave X-Factor winner so far (and owner of my fave X-Factor performance ever) has returned with a gussied up version of some Nickelback tune that I've never heard of. And very nice it is too. It's available to buy on November 7th, so I will be bitterly bitterly disappointed if he isn't on The X Factor results show on the same day... let the Take That chart competition commence. Oh. And here's the video (click here to watch on youtube)!

• Oh that shayne knows how to start a video. He is topless and buff in his rather nice apartment, staring yearningly across the city. I often do the same, but with muffin toppage going on over my trackie bottoms...
• There is a girl outside who takes a quick pic of him, all pectastic at the window. In the video, this is considered romantic and grand gesturey. In real life, he would slap a restraining order on her stalkerness. The little madam.
• (Disappointingly) Shayne has put a shirt on. it's quite a nice shirt though and it's nicely fitted. so many people go for the far too flowing baggy option without even thinking of how it looks. This is probably the sort of style know how that got Shayne his job at Next.
• He takes a picture of the moon. It's quite a nice picture which means he probably has at least 8megapixel camera on his mobile phone. I'm surprised he didn't put this picture on his twitter feed :P
• The stalker girl continues to take some quite decent pictures of pectastic Shayne. 1 of 230 apparently. Blimey. If she puts them on her facebook feed, I am so going to "friend" her...
• Let's just take a moment and pause at 38s. That's quite relaxing and nice isn't it?
• Shayne gets ready to go out. He walks past his maid (how bourgois). She is of course a sexy maid, getting flirty with a feather duster. Not at all like my cleaner, Mrs. Kadrinski, who is delightful but god bless her hasn't been sexy for years...
• At around the 50s to a 1m mark, Shayne heads onto the busy streets (of London?) and manages to hail a cab STRAIGHT AWAY. This is as unrealistic as Carrie Bradshaw getting a cab with no problem in NYC. Still, the lucky cab driver gets Shayne singing his heart out in the back, so he can turn his radio down and enjoy the show. Marv!
• What a head turner! After lots of interspersed shots of Shayne singing, he walks down a street where a couple are smooching. The girl turns and has a good gaze at Shayne and does the bottom lip bite. you know the one - where you are thinking, oh I would so tap that, etc. I like to think the boy has a good look too because honestly, you can never tell can you?
• 1m40s - walking past a nice street cafe. More ladeez look. One waitress overfills a glass with water. The water gushing everywhere is clearly a metaphor for her waters gushing everywhere at the sight of Shayne. I'm still loving his shirt for some reason.
• The lyrics are actually quite romantic and the song percolates along. The director of the video quite wisely reminds the viewer at various points that Shayne hangs around his apartment with some nice scented candles looking all toned and abtastic. I don't need the reminder, but it's a nice affirmation!
• At around 2m15s, he pops into a laundrette. He seems to strike up a bit of friendly banter with some dude and then convinces the fella to lend him his clothes. Shayne Ward can charm the clothes off random dudes! I am loving this!
• He strips off in the laundrette. I mean why not? I am thinking of selling my new washing machine and hanging out in said laundrette.
• Stalker Girl is back! Shayne either mugs her or "oi no pics" her and has a butchers through her 230 pictures. Some of them are quite good. He should probably hire her as his professional photographer. I mean, didn't one of Abba have a thing with their stalker once?!
• She runs away! I would want my phone back personally! Perhaps she is doing a benny hill type "ooo chase me" routine?!
• (Turns out the cab driver was a woman and happy to be paid for her service by Shayne's voice. I am going to blog in the back of a cab next time and see if this will get me off the fare...)
• Shayne's home! Phew. Oh no! Stalker Girl has followed him in! He turns and... sort of smiles? Yes it's all fun and games until the next video where he's tied up NathanEmmerdale style in a barn somewhere!!

Oh Shayne, how I adore your return :)

About blinking time is what you are probably thinking. It has been a good 3-4 months since Darin released his Lovekiller single, the albums dropped and finally we have the video to go along with it! Blimey! Still, when the song is this good it doesn't so much matter that it's a bit behind schedule. Here's what is going on second by second in the Lovekiller video :)

• It's all dusky and misty outdoors, which is always a little bit mysterious - kind of like a pre-credits sequence from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I do love that there are a few bikes around. Europeans are so much better at cycling than Brits (most Brits)...
• Oh no! There are police cars all shining their lights onto a lifeless body. DRAMA! Plus, how do the batteries never run down on these police cars? It's incredible. I only have to leave my lights on for a minute after the engine is off and I get that whirry whirry sound. And i'm a hybrid!
• More and more cops/fuzz/whirley whirlies arrive at the scene (some in particularly cheap CSI jackets) and we finally see the Christ like pose of poor Darin lying there. How's he going to sing?
• (Ps, I am loving that this is all playing out like a film. I feel like I don't even have to go and see Saw 3D on Friday and I am reasonably assured that Darin is a much hotter leading bloke)
• Oh! That's how he sings (1m04s) - he looks quite creepy lying there singing without anything but his lips moving. And his head looks like it shouldn't bend that way. Having said all that, he certainly has more life in him than some of this year's X-Factor contestants, ho ho, etc.
• He gets up off the floor (ooo he's wearing braces/suspenders - I love a fella in braces/suspenders!) and not one of the so-called police crew seem to notice. How pointless is that training? OR! (God i'm quick) something supernatural is occuring because it's gone very white and ominous.
• Even Darin looks a little bit confused, but that doesn't stop him singing his little heart out (unless it's already been ripped out?) and oh! Nice bum shot at 1m57s. It's important to point these things out.
• Now there is some black smoke (how Lost) and Darin is looking in on another Darin who is sitting in a fairly sparse hotel type room. I am loving his boots btw (2m13s)...
• Following on from the boots shot, some woman comes up behind him in some weird attempt to recreate the Maroon 5 Hands All Over album cover. She gives his hair a good tug and goes for a lingering exposed throat shot (2m27s). How KatherineVampireDiaries of her...
• Ew. The dirty minx gives his throat a good licking (not a metaphor) and then we see a shiny knife (tempered steel no doubt) behind her back. It's not looking good and jacket off Darin behind the slats gives an impassioned (half hearted) "noooooo". He is right to look a bit upset. It's all gone a bit Dexter. Someone call the blood spatter expert!
• 2m35s RIP poor stabby Darin...
• There are a lot of gruesome shots of a bloody Darin (2m51s) as he runs through the red mists and then we are back in the park where he is unstabbed! How freaky (Friday)
• Darin runs into a church where stabby lady seems to be on trial for her crimes. She doesn't look too bothered, but does rock the Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan big-rimmed-hat-in-court look. I am also appreciating the link between court and religious judgement and Darin does a stunning crucifixion pose in front of a stained glass window (3m30s)...
• The case continues and all the people in the court-church get black eyes and chant along to the song. Perhaps there is some marketing genius in Darin releasing this late, but so close to Halloween.
• Oh! It's 4m plus now and everyone is on their feet and stabby lady has been found guilty of being a lovekiller (and probably an actual killer unless this is all some sort of metaphorical heartbreak fantasy dream). She's not so smug now is she?
• Darin is zipped up in his body bag, back to the opening shot and jobs a good un. The end. Marvelous.

A quick (and I mean quick) chat with the man (from Aug!)...


You're just about to release your fifth album in Sweden - most popstars release a greatest hits album at this point instead. Was there any temptation for you to do that? Or were you fixated on getting some new tunes out there?
There will probably be a greatest hits here in Sweden soon, but right now I wanted to release my new songs.

One track on the album is Can't Stop Love - which you performed at the Swedish Royal Wedding earlier this year. Such a great performance (love the bow tie!) - what was it like being part of such a huge event?
Thank you so much! I felt really honored to sing and write a song for the royal wedding, it’s a true story and i think that’s what makes it so strong.

Talking of big events, you've also competed in Melodifestivalen with another track on the album - You're Out of My Life. That contest is absolutely huge in Sweden right? What was that like? Is it fiercely competitive?
It’s the biggest show here in Sweden. I was really nervous of course, it was like a big challenge for me, i didn’t win, but it went really good. The only thing I tried to focuse on was to do my best.

Lovekiller seems such a huge anthemic song that could be massive across the world. Do you have any plans for going more global with your music?
Yes, that’s one of my goals, to release my music in more countries.

How succinct! What are your plans with this album - will you have more singles from it? Any tours?
Yes, I think I will release more singles from it, but i haven’t decided which ones yet, and I will probably go on tour again soon.

Your last album flashback was in 2008. It seemed somewhat ahead of it's time really - 6 months on from its release and everyone was mimicking that solid club-pop sound, none more so than Lady Gaga. Was the sound of the album something you consciously went for or something that evolved as you were making it? It felt like that album could have been massive internationally...
Thanks, yes I wanted that type of sound for the Flashback album, something that felt new and futuristic in a club/pop-r&B/electro way, it was what I was aiming for.

You got your big break on Swedish Idol and more than any other alumni I know you've been incredibly loyal to your Idol roots - you did Viva La Vida last year and have contributed an album track to the preview advertisements for this years show. I guess you are quite fond/proud of your Idol heritage? Any thoughts?
Yes, that’s what started my career in Sweden so that’s something I’m proud of, so I collaborate with the show a lot.

Sweden seems to be the one place where solid male pop is as prevelant as the massive female stars - you have Mans, Danny, Ola and now Eric Saade. You could create your own EMD supergroup - Eric, Mans, Darin! is there a pop community where you all know each other or is it just when you run into each other at events? Also, do you think there is a reason that male popstars have more success in Sweden than say currently in the UK?
It’s just when I run into them on events etc. I actually don’t know.

Right - thanks for answering that! I'm a huge fan so this opportunity to chat has been great. Any parting shots?!
Thanks for the nice chat and hope to see you soon in the UK!

I love it when the questions are longer than the answers!! Back soon with boyband and more christmas! EEP!

The Beatles was theme of the last week Idol show - difficult but more difficult theme sometimes gives opportunity to see better who's the more skilful performer.
Geir Rönning performed one of the biggest hits of The Beatles "Love Me Do", it was very active performance - expressive and full of life but it felt like Geir who is undoubtfully high professional showed all sides of his talent during previous performances so this time it was already a bit boring. Jay Smith's rock voice surprisingly well worked in "A Hard Day's Night", Jay tries to be more open and free on the stage, not that he manages quite enough to prove his status of the biggest favorite of this season but still he has a lot of space to grow. Elin Blom's "Can't Buy Me Love" was very gentle and feminine and it was the song right for her perfectly fitting her voice. On the other hand "Helter Skelter" wasn't perfect choise for Olle Hedberg but he showed public different side of his vocal that he used before singing "Sex On Fire". And time has come for coming back Minnah Karlsson who left Idol previous week but as Alice Hagenbrant has left the show it was decided to bring Minnah back and what a grand comeback it was! She performed "Twist and Shout" and it was probably the best performance of the night (as it turned to be the most viewed among Idol-performances afterwards I'm not far from the truth) - she was twisting, shouting and be a real torn on the stage. Linda Varg seemed very comfortable with rock-ballad cover of "Ticket to Ride" that's probably lack energy a bit so wasn't received well by jury but still it was beautiful. Andreas Weise has made another musical performance of "All You Need Is Love", again it was hard to say something bad about vocal as vocally Andreas is growing constantly. Daniel Norberg was singing "The Long and Winding Road" - lovely and romantic performance, maybe a bit boring as there wasn't space to show Daniel's voice. And finally Linnea Henriksson performed "Help!" looking a lot in a style of 60s, probably it was too complicated vocally for her voice but still it's Linnea so performance was really entertaining. Finally Geir and Linda took the least of votes and Linda has left this time. Very sad fact but still I don't believe that such a talented charismatic artist will be lost for long. Next week theme will be 90s so come back if you want to see Jay covering Backstreet Boys and Elin making Britney.

Geir Rönning – Love Me Do
Jay Smith – A Hard Day's Night
Elin Blom – Can't Buy Me Love
Olle Hedberg – Helter Skelter
Minnah Karlsson – Twist and Shout
Linda Varg – Ticket to Ride
Andreas Weise – All You Need Is Love
Daniel Norberg – The Long and Winding Road
Linnea Henriksson – Help!

Via Aftonbladet: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/tv/idol2010/article8028497.ab here are this week's Swedish Idol songs, with a 1990s theme. I'm not too excited about the song choices, too many obvious international hits. What's wrong with Swedish songs?

Anyway before I go into a rant, here's the list....

Daniel Norberg - ”Stone me into the groove” (Atomic Swing).
Olle Hedberg - ”Wonderwall” (Oasis).
Elin Blom - ”Born to make you happy” (Britney Spears).
Geir Rönning - ”Alive” (Pearl Jam).
Linnea Henriksson - ”Nothing compares 2 u”(Sinead O' Connor).
Andreas Weise - ”Baby, I love your way” (Big Mountain).
Jay Smith - ”I want it that way” (Backstreet Boys).
Minnah Karlsson - ”(Everything I do) I do it for you” (Bryan Adams).

Finally one of the best singles of the year "Lovekiller" by Darin Zanyar gets video out and it turned even darker than we expected by previews released before. It starts with shot of police investigating crime scene with singing dead Darin (a bit scary moment but we're gonna get many after). Later his soul's standing up and running walking through something representing afterlife worlds and getting to wardrobe when we meet that misterious lovekiller - quite hot lovekiller I should say looking like younger sister of Angelina Jolie, who's making her dark bloody work. And we're carried to the church where murderer is sued and Darin sing amazing culmination of the song that's touching to goosebumps especially in such decorations, idea is definitely that honey's gonna be judged for her crime sooner or later so take care of love dear readers so you're not gonna suffer as Darin or his love murdered afterwards.

Recently EMD and Molly Sandén visited kids Gabba Gabba show on SVT. Molly sang about her sport hobby and EMD about problems of brushing teeth being on tour. All of them looking gorgeous these days so you need to watch it. EMD could easily make it as their new video and Molly as brunette looks hotter than ever, doesn't she?
Thanx for the tips to Swedish Rush.

Danish artist Bryan Rice's presenting new album "Another Piece Of Me" with duo of our Swedish sweetheart Emilia Rydberg "Watch The Stars" released earlier this year as soundtrack for Danish reality-show "Veninder på 1. klasse". If you've missed it I'm here to remind you!
It's a modern romantic pop-song mixing r'n'b and pop in quite tasty and stylish music dish perfectly combining vocals of these nice artists. I'd also advice you to check whole album of Bryan as one of the most interesting Scandinavian pop-releases of this Autumn.
But wait as we're here for Emilia and still there's no hint about her new records let me show another international duet she recorded with Hungarian artist Dobrády Ákos year before. "Side by side" is beautiful classic European ballad, very touching and again voices of Dobrády and Emilia work together with amazing harmony.

Yesterday I've realized that I've missed one of the best rock-albums of the year, I really hope that forthcoming Grammis will fix my fault but finally I can do it myself.
Rock duo Johnossi has got to the spot of Swedish and international public already few years ago when they released 2 albums and has got interest to their music across Europe, US and Japan, not missing opportunity of active touring all over the world wherever they were invited. This year they've made a most successful shot in Sweden with album "Mavericks" that reached #4 and I'd like to dig it a bit.
"Mavericks" is dark intro-track leading you through the tunnels of the magic music world of Johnossi, the more you listen the more you realize you're not gonna leave this world so easy being lost in melancholic guitar riffs and mystic echoes of this music. "Dead end" is the latest single from the album, more life-assering and driveous with beautiful electric gutar sound and The Killers vibes. "Houses" present Johnossi with a new side, melody-massive with relaxed lazy rhythm. "Roscoe" finally gives some more hopeful rays of light with huge poppy melody of chorus and hard beat in verses. "Bed on Fire" is acoustic ballad unexpectedly decreasing high energy of the album. "What's the Point" was released as the first single (getting to Top-20) and turned to be powerful Summerish rock-single with amazing mix from Bassflow that I'd recommend to all pop-fans. "No Last Call" is filled with rock'n'roll atmosphere and nice rhytm-section. "Come Along (There's a Gene)" brings our back to melodic path but more complicated and hypnotizing with soft guitar riffs. "Worried Ground" is sad but still pulsing with life in mysterious sound of Johnossi. And the final album track is "Sickness" - calm and peaceful song at least as much calm as Johnossi can afford themselves to be.
Here are both singles from "Mavericks" but I'd advice you to shut your eyes when you'll be listening as imagination paints a better pictures for this music.

Brolle is the artist that I hardly try to fall for and and this is my new try. Finally artist who makes crowds of Swedish audience wild and constantly makes Top-10 singles and not less successful albums deserves some attention.
Well, one of the most popular Popstars show artists - Brolle presents new single - "Lovers' Battlefield". As the whole music concept of Brolle it's a guitar pop song with a bit screaming vocal and epic half-acoustic instrumental. Earlier this year Brolle released another single "Anything She Wants" from his "Best Of" compillation so fans should have not wait too long and here is brand new single that Brolle performed today at Nyhetsmorgon.
By the way recently I've discovered song "Solo i Stlm" in the list of MF-2008 rejects - right in a month after MF-2008 final Brolle released single "Solo i Stockholm" so with a big confidence we can suppose Brolle was one of rejected schlager-candidates two years ago.

So guilty pleasures week on the x-factor was nothing of the sort. Frankly, my suggestions for the contestants were far superior. And this week is Hallowe'en? Sweet merciful Blossom Russo, how they will stretch and butcher that theme is beyond me!! (For my song suggestions for the contestants, see the comments box)... But it got me thinking about some very good indeed acts that put out some very good indeed cover versions that are frankly all of the pleasure and none of the guilt. Here are four of my current faves...

Aston ~ Viva La Vida: This Australian orchestral group continues to absolutely amaze and delight me with their classical interpretations of modern day pop songs. And according to an email I just got, their debut album is winging it's way across the ocean to England as I type. Good job, import fees are a mother :P Anyway, what I adore about this version is that it is not only a seamless blend of instruments, weaving together a gloriously rousing version of the tune - but the accompanying video is just as uplifting (the guy on percussion is well foxy). They all look like they are having such a fun time and that reminds me of being in the orchestra band, playing piano at school. It was such fun to hear the tunes come together. The chorus here in particular is a work of genius - the piano really stands out and isn't drowned out by the dramatic percussion and plays perfectly with the violin melody. Quite heavenly. Oh! And the softening just before the choral part of the middle 8 kicks in just sends goosebumps running all over my body. Absolutely celestial.

The Overtones ~ Well Well Well (Duffy cover): I have written a lot about The Overtones lately. And quite rightly so. I find myself quite charmed by them and eagerly await the release of their debut album in a week. They've taken the new Duffy single and managed to turn each unique vocal on the track into an essential element of their performance of the song; it comes across like it was always meant to be a rather avant garde 50s doo-wop classic; the chorus (at around 48s) speeds it up a little bit and you find yourself in finger clicking heaven. It's a catchy tune and they've managed to twist it around and make it something that is completely them. And let's face it - they all look rather marvelous. I adore their style and twitter has taught me that Lachie (far left) knows how to rock a pair of pink jeans. Now that's avant garde :)

Princes & Rogues ~ Acapella (kelis cover): I still mourn the fact that P&R didn't actually make the live shows of the X-Factor, but manage to cope with my varying stages of grief by picking songs for them each week. Not they actually need me (though if they want to offer me paid employment, I can live with that :P) judging from the assorted excellent cover versions on their youtube channel. One of my current faves is their version of Acapella by Kelis. And not just because it's acapella! And not just because of the enthusiastic WOO at the start of the video. And not just because Ash is a bit of a dish. No, mainly because they certainly know how to tightly harmonise, look like they are having a brilliant time and are definitely vocally miles better than about at least 6 of the current x-factor crew. And, like the overtones, they are another group that I am just utterly taken with. I'm wishing them all sorts of success in the future and have a brilliant song lined up from them for Sat's hallowe'en theme :)

Miss Kookie ~ Putting On The Ritz: I have to finish with something that makes me absolutely joyous and uplifted each time I hear it. If you want a song that is unashamedly fun, completely delightful and just insanely, deliriously wave your hands like you just don't care fantastic, then you have come to the right place. It's a modern day take on a classic 20s dancehall number that just enchants from the second the (rather hot) guy introduces us to Miss Kookie in the clip above. It's all hip thrusting vogueing, addictive dance routines, get your flapper on, horn laden magnificence. Miss Kookie delivers an outstanding vocal that totally encapsulates the vibrancy of the tune & there are enough modern day musical additions to make it sound fresh and relevant for today's market. A performance like this would bring the house down on the x-factor. I absolutely must have more, more more :)

Tomorrow: Boyband albums or the new Darin video!