He sings quite a lot like Danish all-time favourite singer Kim Larsen (of Gasolin’ fame). But Kjartan and the rest of Folkeklubben really go strength to strength on a truly solid album.
The lyrics are poetic, occasionally existentialistic, and the catchy melodies get stuck inside your head. Side A on this record is perfect. Side B: almost.
♪♫ Listen: “Men ikke endnu en vinter” + album stream
I think the members come from a HC punk scene. But you can’t tell because Birds in Flight are really into powerpop with a British flavour – like it sounded during Teenage Fanclub’s salad days.
Crunchy guitars, wonderful vocal harmonies and in general an expression that defies time and trends.
♪♫ Listen: “Player” + album stream
Birds in Flight on Facebook.
Something special happens when Morten “Aron” Larsen writes songs. He can strike up a special kind of magic with psychedelic colours and a sweet scent of ganja.
Vilde græs is not as out-there as his other projects. This is just a handful of well-composed songs in which the melodies have a floaty quality and you drift along to them.
♪♫ Listen: “Under dine vinger” + album stream
Vilde græs on Facebook.
Can authors sing? Nikolaj Zeuthen sings DIY-bad, in a perfect way. And that really matches Skammens vogn’s general expression.
The trio looks at the world with a child-like, humourous and occasionally aha-sensational eye. No matter how much everything swings and sways, the band remains catchy and quirky.
♪♫ Listen: “Brug for dig” + album stream
Skammens vogn on Facebook.
I don’t really know that much about Big Dust. I accidentally came across their album and was drawn in by their atmospheric rock and desire for playing around with the templates.
Everything bubbles in a funny way, sounds very non-Danish and points back at 90s inspirations and at the same time into the future. Thom Yorke would have loved this band.
♪♫ Listen: “I Know Where You Are” + album stream
Big Dust on Facebook.
Such a wonderful album Peter Sommer made. He sings about coming out as an optimist (and that it feels like deserting). Don’t worry, things aren’t that optimistic.
With gilt-edged songs, big guitar lines and hope and doubt holding hands down the street, Sommer has made his album so far.
♪♫ Listen: “Bittersød natskygge” + album stream
The Love Coffin gave me the best live show in 2018. They also do great stuff on record.
Like few other bands, they manage to sound dangerous. Front man Jonathan sings both gently and with a barking bite, and the band’s 80s noir-enchanted rock tunes paint with dark colours.
♪♫ Listen: “Pure” + album stream
When they first got rid of their The War On Drugs inspirations (previous album), Palace Winter found themselves.
Nowadays is full of fine, hymnal indie rock songs that forge guitar and synthesizer and looks at the conditions of the world (and mankind) with a sceptical eye.
♪♫ Listen: “The Ballroom” + album stream
The experienced noise rockers returned in 2018 after an 11-year-long hiatus.
And what a comeback! They delivered a solid rock album which (fortunately) deviates from the urge to deconstruct and instead targets something monstrous, noisy, smouldering and ominous.
Welcome back!
♪♫ Listen: “Ruin” + album stream
Speaker Bite Me on Facebook.
One metal album has found its way into this list.
It’s an album that is full of melodies and harmonies and where the heaviness sort of aims for the sky.
There is plenty of drama and riffs galore. If you are into the big gestures as heard from the likes of Mastodon, you will love this.
♪♫ Listen: “Hunger and Exile” + album stream
Peter Peter (ex-Sods, Sort Sol) managed to get one last album out of the old punk singer Fritz Fatal.
This is the sound of pain, loss and love. A man fighting with last he’s got in him. In ain’t pretty but it’s lifeblood. Truly fantastic.
♪♫ Listen: “Det blødende hjerte” + album stream
Fritz Fatal, Peter Peter, Morten Chrone, Peter Kyed on Bandcamp.