Lopez Blogs

I can't help but imagine that Christmas in Sweden would just be exquisitely lovely. All roaring fires and hot chocolate. A chill in the air as you walk through the night, wishing you could walk through the windows of time. Oh, that actually might be Jason Donovan. Regardless, I still suspect a winter in Sweden would be jolly chilly but jolly marvy too (especially if i was bedded down at Hotel Rival). So i've dug out some old and new Swedish readings of festive tracks for today's list...

CHRISTMAS GOES SWEDISH POP:

• Mans Zelmerlow ~ December: After two explosively fantastic pop albums, Mans has gone all undone bow tie and classy strings with his HEAVENLY new album, Christmas With Friends. And rather delightful it all is too. One of the original tracks from the album is this track - a warm, engaging, swinging big band tune. There's something magical about hearing a festive song sung in Swedish and the melody is pure joy. I'll be returning to this album more in upcoming lists, but for now just luxuriate in this winning tune and try not to get too excited by the outstanding key change & sing-repeat finale. Bliss.
• Jill Johnson ~ Christmas On My Own: One of those brilliantly worded tracks that you can almost get away with playing all year round thanks to the gorgeous vocals of Jill belting out a dear diary of how her love went wrong from January to December. It's all set over a pulsating, sparkling dance track with added bells to give that extra festive feel. An absolute corker of a tune, even when it's bitterly bitterly sad :(
• Straight Up ~XXXmas: I love Swedish electro-pop duo Straight Up. They make no secret of their love on man-o-man smoochies and pumping. They have produced some brilliantly cheeky pop tracks this year (including the amazing Twink). Lucky for me, they have put out a festively filthy track that musically is like a forward thinking Last Christmas set to a disco beat and with sex on the brain. Lyrically, it's like nothing you've heard before - i mean there are "adult" christmas songs (Frosty The Pervert; Rudolph The Deep Throat Reindeer), but those are mainly parodies where as this is just a down and dirty need for someone to empty their sack this Christmas eve. Quite magnificent. In fact, i get the impression that secret santa with the Straight Up fellas would find me a beefy young dude tied up in green and red ropes with a bauble strapped in his mouth! Now, that's the type of alternative white Christmas I want :P (Check it out on their facebook page!)
• Sarah Dawn Finer ~ Winter Song: Another new album travels across the chilly seas from Sweden to my living room and it is one that is as beautifully crafted as it is excrutiatingly heartbreaking. Sarah has lovingly picked a blend of songs that flow perfectly and create an a pretty well themed holiday record. One of the highlights is the bleak but entrancing Winter Song sung with Louise Hoffsten. Their combined vocals create a haunting few minutes of music, perfect for those more reflective moments next to the tree...
• Hilda ~ Just One Wish: Hilda is new! She's Disney! She's from the same pop stable as the delectable Eric Saade! And she's got a rather yummy Christmas song out. It's pure pop with an added rock guitar riff to make it a bit edgy - i'd have preferred a few more sleigh bells but there is no denying how catchy this tune is and the refrain is pure ear worm. And at the end of the day isn't that what we all want for Christmas?
• Magnus Carlsson ~ Wrap Myself In Paper: Magnus is the king of Swedish Christmas. He has probably had just as much festive output as he has had regular albums and each are imbued with a genuine warmth and love for the time of year. This little gem gets pulled out each year - imagine Emma Bunton doing Maybe but sung by a men in a santa costume with some shimmying gogo dancing elves in the background and that's where you will come out with this song. It's a santa's grotto of delights and one I never, ever tire of.
• Play ~ Rudolph: Back in their heyday, Play were the epitomy of feel good pop and their Christmas album was a solid jewel. They churned out an energetic, fizzy and totally fun version of Rudolph that always makes me smile. Sure it is as kitsch as all my Grandma's kitchen but cram a few eggnogs down your neck and you will be singing along to your hearts content. Amazing. Rudolph!
• West End Girls ~ It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas: Whatever happened to West End Girls? I was hoping they would evolve into a brilliant pop act a la A*Teens after they stopped doing the Abba covers... They have turned in a stomping eurodisco version of the Pet Shop Boys classic. It's not as amazing as the 2009 remix the PSB did (which will feature in an upcoming list), but it's still brava diva all round.
• The Hives ft Cyndi Lauper ~ A Christmas Duel: The first few notes may fool you into thinking this is a scrummy Christmas ditty, but the lyrical confession of no gift and sleeping with your lover's sister it turns into something completely different. It's no less magnificent and actually is probably best described as a modern day Fairytale of New York. Gleefully malevolent lyrics continue to follow with Cyndi confessing she went down on her fella's mother! AMAZING. Play loud. Be proud. Sometimes Christmas is like this and we should all just accept it!!

• Maria Mena ~ Home For Christmas: As Deborah Gibson has proved in the past with her stunning Christmas Without You, there is often nothing more effective than a piano and a plainative plea at this seasonal time of year. Maria has created a soul searching poem that will touch anyone who just yearns for those carefree childhood moments where your biggest worry was how many gifts you would have to open on Christmas morn. Sheer beauty.
• Christian Ingebrigtsen ~ Paint Christmas White: Before Christian got back together with the A1 boys, he had quite the little solo career going which really showcased his rich resonant vocals (and charming good looks). The title track from his swoony festive album is a soaring, classic duet (with the aforementioned Jill Johnson) that sounds like it came from some lost Disney musical. Glorious use of strings, lovely lyrics and beautifully complementary vocals. Totally wonderful and wonderfully inspiring.