Five years after the first post, this blog is moving to be part of the music blog collective Rosvot, which gathers a good bunch of Finland-based music blogs. From there I will keep on sharing the best music out of Finland, so stick with me. Here’s the link:
Halfway through February, it is time to listen to another collection of best new music from around the world. This month, indie rock band Bypassers represents Finland.
Back in 2008, Mikko Joensuu release a superb psychedelic/shoegaze album as part of the trio Joensuu 1685, but unfortunately such an album did not have a much awaited follow-up. Instead he pursued a solo career, offering solo performances in some major festivals. Finally, Mikko Joensuu is releasing a new music in the form of a vinyl/download only EP. Check out below the video for the song Land of Darkness, which in over seven minutes summarises the very interesting musical world of Mikko Joensuu.
Four-piece band Bypassers is originally from Tampere, but its members recently moved to the UK, where they clearly feel like home as self-declared fans of Richard Ashcroft, Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr. Early in the year, Bypassers released an EP, in which you will four good songs that could have been release in 1994 thanks to the combination of loud guitars and pop melodies.
Following her excellent first EP, songtress Anni returns with a new EP titled Black Lotus and released today. This EP is the result of a successful crowdfunding campaign launched last year and it seems that the raised funds were well invested as the EP production is slick and the performances (with almost 20 musicians playing in one song) are superb. Check out below the song Je Ne Sais Quoi, a playful pop lullaby that turns into a wicked explosion of strings, horns and hip hop melody. It’s a big, ambitious sound, commanded by Anni’s beautiful vocals, in what it is meant to be a great step forward towards a long successful year in the singer’s career.
Welcome to the first edition of the Music Alliance Pact in 2014. You should know quite well by now, but this is a compilation of new tracks from all around the world: 27 songs, 27 countries, 27 blogs.
June’s Garden represents Finland this month.
Black twig, pastel blue… It is strangely poetic but this is Black Twig‘s new single from their upcoming new album Heliogram. The song itself also strikes balance between the sweet, bright, almost dreamy melody and the fast, raging, almost psych, guitars (listen at 2:07). Simply it rocks, play loud.
Need a Valentine’s gift? Heliogram will be released on 14 February.
Following the excellent The Lows & The Highs (2011), five-piece band Koria Kitten Riot return with a new album titled Rich Men Poor Men Good Men which has just been released on GAEA records. The first single from it is a gentle piece of pop that places you between a pillow and a soft place. Check out the video below and sing along.
The year comes to an end today and it is time to present the mandatory best albums list. There’s been plenty of good music hitting constantly my mailbox, but while going through my favourite 2013 Finnish albums, I realised that I listened to strong guitars this year and so the list reflects. As usual, it was painful to leave out some albums as it has been another great year of music from Finland. Thanks to all the artists for that.
Oulu band Satellite Stories had a wonderful year with the release of its second full-length Pine Trails, followed with an extensive European tour. More dates around Europe are scheduled for early 2014, but before going on the road, the band sends season’s greetings with its own version of the most recorded Christmas song.
