Kindsight - No Shame No Fame

 

Welcome to No Shame No Fame, an album that is easily one of our top five albums of the first half of 2024. The creation of Copenhagen's Kindsight, it is dynamic, melodic, spirited and uniformly superb. Each track sounds honed to perfection in every detail while never seeming slick or over-produced. As always with this band Nina Rasmussen's vocals are a distinct highlight. Yet the other members are equal players in the creation of the aural brilliance. We suppose that if one had to choose one style it would be the compromise term pop rock, but in reality the band's range is too large to pigeonhole. They can be as dreamy as the Sundays, as poppy as Alvvays, and veer into shoegaze; and in reality, each track probably is falls into at least two of those camps. No Shame No Fame is a truly inspired set of songs and you would be failing yourself in the self-care department if you don't check it out. A few of the gems are below, beginning with the soaring wonder that is "Tomorrow".

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). No Fame No Shame is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Rama Lama Records.

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"Acid Island 45" by Kindsight

 

We took a break to assist a family member who had surgery last week, but she is on the road to recovery and we are back at the keyboard. And we celebrate our return with the rush of excitement embodied in "Acid Island 45", the new single by Danish band Kindsight. The introductory guitar squall, break-an-arm drumming and full-out pace made us think that in another world this would be on a greatest hits compilation from the Shop Assistants. And that is intended to be high praise. The song is taken from the upcoming No Fame No Shame, which will be out April 19 via Rama Lama Records

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). .

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Various links for "Acid Island 45"

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"Tomorrow" by Kindsight

 

We were thrilled to learn that the new album from Danish quartet Kindsight now has a name -- No Fame No Shame -- and a release date -- April 19. The band's sharply honed and thoughtful guitar pop never fails to satisfy. Even so, we weren't prepared for the musical treasure that is "Tomorrow", the just released single from the album. With hooks, dynamics that pull and stretch your heartstrings, and vocals that bring to mind the best of The Sundays and Popguns, it is everything we could ask for. If this is what is coming with No Fame No Shame, sign us up!

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). No Fame No Shame will be out via Rama Lama Records.

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"Tibet" by Kindsight

 

Our Danish friends Kindsight have released new single "Tibet" and if you aren't familiar with this band, it is a good starting point. It begins as a pop song featuring Nina Rasmussen's affecting vocals trading lines with a male vocalist, but explodes into a more abrasive rock piece before dialing back to the pop mode. The song builds to a crescendo again before its conclusion. Welcome to one of the more dynamic young acts on the scene.

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). "Tibet" is out now via Rama Lama Records.

Rama Lama Records · Kindsight - Tibet

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"Madhouse Breakout Multitool" by Kindsight

 

When the WYMA brain trust (yes, there is one, just ... ummm ... trust us on that point) decides that a band is one of the best indie band on the scene, there is a concern that we may have set a difficult bar for the group's next record. However, Kindsight's new single "Madhouse Breakout Multitool" suggests that the Danish quartet are going to follow last year's debut album Swedish Punk (our feature here) with another stellar recording.

As we expected, the sound of "Madhouse Breakout Multitool" is wonderful - layered, dynamic and sparkling with a dose of fuzz and grit. But it also has the delicious storyline of a couple of siblings barricading themselves in their rural house to protect against the inmates of a local mental institution that have escaped.

"Madhouse Breakout Multitool" is out now via Rama Lama Records. Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). The band is playing SXSW in Texas, and is preparing their second full length album.

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Various links for Madhouse Breakout Multitool

Rama Lama Records

Northern Portrait - The Swiss Army

 

Let's start the week with a Nordic gem. In this case our ears are drawn to The Swiss Army, which despite its name, is the work of Danish pop masters Northern Portrait. It is only the band's second album in over a decade, but it effortless spans various styles with infectious melodies, ear-worm hooks and warmly presented melancholy. Northern Portrait are equally adept at slow burners, mid-tempo guitar pop and harder-edged rocking songs and this album contains well constructed examples of all of them. The rhythm section is high in the mix and the guitars jangle and chime, infusing the album with a driving energy throughout its ten-song run. Each song stands well alone, although "At Attention", "Business Class Hero", "Once A Bombshell". "Pool Cue Vigilante" and "The Soft Revolution" attracted our immediate attention. We expect this album to be on some year-end lists -- it is looking good for ours.

The Swiss Army is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Matinee Recordings.

Matinée Recordings · Northern Portrait - The Swiss Army

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"Once A Bombshell" by Northern Portrait

 

Last fall we had a new single titled "At Attention" from Danish band Northern Portrait (link). After a long wait, we now have "Once A Bomshell", which is the second single from the upcoming album The Swiss Army. Unlike the racing jangle of "At Attention", this new song hits a mid-tempo groove for a somewhat moody tale of the fading glory of a former bombshell. Our conclusion is that Northern Portrait have lost none of the mastery of the art of a pop song.

The Swiss Army will be out August 5 in vinyl, CD and digital formats via Matinee Recordings.

Matinée Recordings · Northern Portrait - Once Upon A Bombshell

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Kindsight - Swedish Punk

 

When we spend several months eagerly anticipating an album based on a few smashing singles, there always is a nagging worry that the end product won't live up to the internal hype in our minds. Not that we were particularly concerned about Copenhagen band Kindsight. Their singles were more than good songs -- they were evidence that this quartet had range, depth and vision. Moreover, Rama Lama Record's has earned our respect for the quality of their roster. Well, now that Swedish Punk has arrived, we can confirm that our confidence was well placed. The eleven tracks are more varied than we expected, including songs that are up-tempo, low-tempo, wistful, melancholy and euphoric. Whether pop or rock, the band shows verve and complete command of the demands of the material. While there is plenty of Nordic shimmer and chime, the fans of fuzzy '90s riffs will find it to their tastes as well. The vocals are special, with echoes of The Cranberries, The Sundays and The Sugarcubes and an impressive emotional content and nuance. Swedish Punk is a remarkable debut and we recommend it highly.

We've given three flavors of Swedish Punk below, a jangling pop tune, a slower song that grew on us every time we heard it, and a stomping rocker.

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums).

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"Queen Of The Cowboys" by Kindsight

One of our eagerly anticipated albums of the spring is Swedish Punk by Danish quartet Kindsight. The young band delivers a winning combination of youthful insights, hooks and upbeat but melodic rock/pop soundscapes that go perfectly with sunny skies and carefree days. The latest single from the album is the uber-appealing "Queen Of The Cowboys".

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). "Queen Of The Cowboys" is out now via Stockhom's Rama Lama Records, which also will release the album on March 25th.

Rama Lama Records · Kindsight - Queen Of Cowboys

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Various links for single and album

"Hi Life" by Kindsight

 Danish band Kindsight has dropped "Hi Life", their third single from next month's LP Swedish Punk. We particularly like how this band artfully merges indie pop and noise pop. This is one of the finer young Nordic bands we have the pleasure of following.

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). "Hi Life" is out now via Stockhom's Rama Lama Records, which also will release the album.

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"Middleman" by The Saint Larsen

 Our congratulations to Northern Portrait vocalist and rhythm guitarist Stefan Larsen on his promotion to The Saint Larsen, especially as such designations typically are bestowed posthumously. Although Northern Portrait remains a working band (a new album will be released soon), Stefan has been writing and recording on his own. We only have the one song - "Middleman" - to evaluate, but it suggests that the upcoming album Show Geezer will capture our ears. "Middleman" is a deft bit of songcraft with hints of '60s/70s songwriters Emitt Rhodes and Harry Nilsson.

"Middleman" is out now via Matinee Recordings, which also will release the album.

Matinée Recordings · The Saint Larsen - Middleman

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Matinee Recordings page for "Middleman"

"Sun Is Always In My Eyes" by Kindsight

 

Scandinavian indie pop is one of our musical joys, and one of the most promising newer acts is the Danish quartet known a Kindsight. Their debut album is titled Swedish Punk and is due March 25 via Rama Lama Records. We haven't heard the album, but we have heard the past singles from this band and we have the new "Sun Is Always In My Eyes" below. We are confident that the album will not be a punk album. But what it will be is a vibrant merger of fuzzy '80s/'90s indie rock and shimmering Nordic pop. And we find that quite fresh and exciting.

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). Don't You Grow Up" is out now via Stockhom's Rama Lama Records, which also will release the album.

Rama Lama Records · Kindsight - Sun Is Always In My Eyes

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Various links for single and album pre-orders

"Don't You Grow Up" by Kindsight

Young Copenhagen four-piece Kindsight are a breath of fresh air in the guitar pop world. They have the shiny pop accents of their native Scandinavia, but thicken the sound with elements of alternative rock. We won't be able to hear their upcoming debut album until the first part of 2022, but we have their new single "Don't You Grow Up". The song shows off the band's warm, sunny style but also shows the band has the muscle to rock out.

Kindsight are Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen (vocals/guitar), Soren Svensson (guitar), Anders Prip (bass), and Johannes Jacobsen (drums). Don't You Grow Up" is out now via Stockhom's Rama Lama Records, which also will release the album.

Rama Lama Records · Kindsight - Don’t You Grow Up

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"At Attention" by Northern Portrait

Our less-than-patient wait for new material from Northern Portrait, our favorite Danish indie pop band, is over. True, the new album The Swiss Army won't be out until 2021, but the first single is here already. "At Attention" struts the more muscular, wide-screen end of the jangle pop spectrum. It seems to fill our Monday with more confidence and energy, and we suggest it may do the same for you.

"At Attention" and The Swiss Army are available via Matinee Recordings.

Matinée Recordings · Northern Portrait - At Attention

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"Terminal Daze" by Kindsight

 

Depending on where you are when you read this you may be ending your weekend or beginning the new workweek. Regardless, we have just the tune for the moment. "Terminal Daze" by Copenhagen quartet Kindsight. "Terminal Daze" is a pristine slice of Nordic jangle pop with a retro coming of age soundtrack feel. It makes us nostalgic and peaceful, and we welcome those feelings wholeheartedly. We also note that the band has been signed by Stockholm's Rama Lama Records, which is a sign of quality in our book.

Kindsight is comprised of Nina, Sore, Anders, and Johannes. And if you like this, the Bandcamp link will also lead you to the dreamy melancholy of the band's August single "Who Are You".

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Various links for "Terminal Daze"

Myrkur - Folkesange

There is no musical direction that Amalie Bruun could take that would surprise us, and no musical genre that she would fail to master. Her roster of projects includes black metal, electronic, pop, rock and folk. But our favorite Bruun guise is her Nordic folk recordings as Myrkur (a name she also uses for black metal recordings). Her latest record for that project is Folkesange. Playing Nordic folk with Gothic and Celtic shadings in some tracks, some classical choral elements and employing traditional Scandinavian instruments, she had created an album of exceptional beauty and emotional resonance, and has completely captivated our ears. We humbly suggest that you need this in your lives.

The album was produced by traditional European folk musician Christopher Juul. Folkesange is out now in digital, vinyl and CD formats.









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"Fetch You Roses" by Sail By Summer

One of our favorite new bands is Scandinavia's Sail By Summer, and not only because we are fans of sailing and summer.  Earlier this year we brought you their shimmering "Facing Dullness".  As we inch towards the August release of the project's debut album, we are presented with "Fetch You Roses", the band's new single.  Melancholy but beautiful, and thoughtfully detailed, it is a highly recommended listen.

Sail By Summer are Norway's William Hut (vocals/guitar) and Denmark's Jens Kristian (keys)."Fetch You Roses" is out today as a digital release via Apollon Records.



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Various links to stream and purchase "Fetch You Roses"

"Casual Drive" by Sail By Summer

Continuing with our ears in Scandinavia, we now introduce you to Sail By Summer via their new single "Casual Drive".  The project of Norway's William Hut with Danish collaborator Jens Kristian on keys, it is the perfect song for roaring down the highway along the seacoast.   But we think it is a damn good song even if you aren't roaring down the highway along the seacoast.

"Casual Drive" is the third single from the band's debut album, which will be released later this year.  The second single is "Facing Dullness", which you also can stream below.









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"The Chain" by Mattis

In the not too distant past Denmark's Mattis Jakobsen was a 6'8" punk rocker.  He still it 6'8", but he now employs his booming tenor voice in a genre he calls "Viking soul".  We first became aware of Mattis via "Loverboy" which we featured a while back.  Now Mattis returns with "The Chain", an intense and defiant complaint of an unappreciated lover.  We think it is a good way to start out your day in music.



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"Free" by Pegboard Nerds X Motopony

Seattle's Motopony has featured here in the past in their accustomed glitch folk/psychedelic pop guise (with a bit of soul and funk).  But today they step into new territory with "Free", a collaboration with Norwegian/Danish electronic duo Pegboard Nerds.  With nods to both melodic rock and the dance floor, it celebrates freedom from the constraints of addictions with both music and message simultaneously uplifting.

Pegboard Nerds are Norwegian DJ Alexander Odden and Danish DJ Michael Parsberg.  Motopony is a five-piece fronted by Daniel Blue.






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