Club 8

June 1, 2010

Sweden’s Labrador Records proclaims itself to be the world’s finest purveyor of pop music. It’s a bold statement, but from looking at their 2010 releases it’s also one that’s probably true. The label has already released two fantastic albums this year, Radio Dept’s Clinging on a Scheme and Sambassadeur’s European (both which have been give high praises on this blog) and Club 8’s new album, The People’s Record makes three. Club 8 is a Swedish duo made up of singer Karolina Komstedt and songwriter Johan Angergård, and together they’ve been making lovely indie pop music for nearly a decade and a half. 

The band’s new single is entitled “Shape Up!” and it’s gushing with exuberant twee goodness.  The song begins with a bouncy jangle guitar riff before adding some tropical percussion and Karolina’s sugary sweet vocals. In taking with the twee genre, the song is upbeat, fun, and super catchy, but I find it actually accomplishes a bit more then the average indie pop tune, with it’s quick tempo changes and Afrobeat rhythms. It ends with a blast of horns while the lyrics drive home the song’s message of breaking free from the daily grind. Another single, “Western Hospitality” further incorporates African and Brazilian influences into the band’s sound. This one with a much more pronounced party vibe, sounding like it was recorded during Carnaval with street noises and tribal drumming galore. Download both tracks below.

MP3 Club 8 – Shape Up!
MP3 Club 8 – Western Hospitality

The People’s Record was released last month. Purchase it here!

Posted by Taylor in Artist Spotlight