Mantar – “Ode to the flame”
- Mantar – “Ode to the flame”
Not a boring moment on this furious demon of an album. Check out “Cross the cross”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-KjHGpMxag&feature=youtu.be
- Sumac – ”What one becomes”
This album really grew on me through the second half of the year. Not easy to get into but highly addictive once it gets you hooked.
- Russian Circles – ”Guidance”
I think “Guidance” is their best album so far, and the previous ones haven’t been bad at all! Here’s a video of Russian Circles that I recorded in Stockholm in 2012: https://youtu.be/b_WOhpZ4rHs
- Cobalt – ”Slow forever”
Not far behind 1, 2, and 3 on my list. “Slow forever” is a beautiful collection of songs.
- Viagra Boys – “Consistency of energy”
Swedish Krautrock! https://youtu.be/bOWjhVYhu8Q
- Bon Iver – “22, A million”
I haven’t needed to put this album on myself many times this year as my wife has been playing it endlessly in the flat, and I’m still not bored of it.
- Ondt Blod – “Finnmark”
Fun metal, drawing on hardcore, black, and a few other genres, from an incredibly young band from Sápmi, the homeland of Scandinavia´s only indigenous people – the Sami.
- Cult of Luna / Julie Christmas – “Mariner”
An unorthodox collaboration between post metal pioneers Cult of Luna and singer Julie Christmas. Some people have complained about the fact that instruments and voices were recorded separately for this album, but I don’t mind at all. This album is really interesting.
- Neurosis – Fires within fires
The last 20 minutes are absolutely amazing.
- Carmelo Torres & Los Toscos – “El Chacho”
¡Cumbia!
- Moon City Boys
Stockholm indie rock in the tradition of The Jesus And Mary Chain.
- Malcolm Middleton – “Summer Of ’13”
One of my favourite songwriters all categories has done it again. “You & I” and “Like Lennon said” are particularly good.
- Frightened Rabbit – “Painting of a panic attack”
Cheesy pop with lyrics that tear at the old heartstrings. I love it! The video for “Get out” is cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBdsY_zsv_U and here’s a nice live session with the band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1rVe4X_FQY (would those count as blast beats at 2:37?).
- Mystery Jets – “Curve of the earth”
Not sure yet if this album reaches the heights of “Serotonin” (2010) but Mystery Jets is an incredibly creative and talented band, and this album is full of nice melodies and new dimensions to discover.
- Håkan Hellström – Du gamla du fria
Sweden’s national poet.
- Bombus – “Repeat until death”
“Deadweight” is a great song and a great video shot in my hometown Göteborg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfeq_G4YdgU
- Vokonis – “Olde one ascending”
Heavy and fun.
- Magrudergrind – ”II”
No room to breathe on this ruthless hardcore release.
- Big Business
I’ve enjoyed all of Big Business’ albums, and this one is no different. It’s amazing what some people can do with not much more than a bass and a drum kit! The video for “Blacker holes” is a David versus Goliath story and a celebration of girl power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-10PyrQFxg
- Minor Victories – “Minor Victories”
Not really the type of music I would listen to normally but I discovered these guys because of the close connection they have with one of my favourite bands (Mogwai) and it opened up a door to a new and pleasant acquaintance. The band has put out some striking music videos as well, like this one for “A hundred ropes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oz6nzPSZLg
Previous lists by KEAL:
My best of 2016 for Slavestate Magazine:
http://www.slavestate.se/?e=3412
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