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Eight amazing Swedish spring hits for your April playlist

Paul Connolly
Paul Connolly - [email protected]
Eight amazing Swedish spring hits for your April playlist
Swedish group Kent. Photo: Heiko Junge/NTB scanpix/TT

Another sparkling selection of soul ballads, indie anthems and 'unclassifiable magic' from The Local's music guru Paul Connolly.

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1. Alva – Let Her Go

It might be straying a little too close to cliche to suggest that Alva may be Sweden's answer to Adele but make up your own mind. This is a right belter.

2. Kent  Egoist

Just because Kent are splitting up this year doesn't mean their radical fire has been doused. This angry broadside at the far-right talks of book burnings and rails against the acceptance of hatred. 

3.  Miike Snow  Genghis Khan

Miike Snow, two thirds of which comprise pop songwriting/producing titans Bloodshy & Avant, clearly know their way around a tune. Genghis Khan's hook is every bit as mighty as the titular warlord of the song.

4. THEA  Lilac Sky

This quite extraordinary debut single from a new Stockholm talent is almost overloaded with ideas, a la early period Grimes. Keep an ear out for THEA.

5. Duvchi – Sleep

Duvchi exemplifies what is great about Swedish pop. He slouches on stage looking like a stereotypical urban urchin about to talk up his love life and diss his rivals but instead makes this fragile, spectral music that almost defies classification. He also writes songs for Rihanna but declines to talk about it. 

6. Loney Dear – Hulls

More unclassifiable electro-dappled magic, this time from the veteran Emil Svanängen who is more renowned for indie-folk anthems.

7. Tinie Tempah  Girls Like feat. Zara Larsson

Larsson only sings the chorus of this latest single from Tinie Tempah, but her vocals are becoming ever more distinctive and compelling.

8. Galantis  No Money

Another slice of prime, soon-to-be-globe-straddling disco cheese from this Stockholm duo, one of whom is Christian Karlsson, of Miike Snow and Bloodshy & Avant fame (see number three, above).

You can listen to the Spotify playlist here and watch the YouTube videos here.

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