Midnight suns, ice bars, fermented shark…Scandinavia is at once exotic and enticing. And there’s no one better to get the dirt (snow?) from before hopping a jet to Reykjavik, Stockholm, or Copenhagen than Lola Akinmade. A wanderer in general, Lola has been just about everywhere that requires a form of alcohol and a jacket the size and cost of a small studio apartment in Manhattan to keep warm–and she’s managed to defrost her fingers enough to write a significant chunk of it down. A mainstay on Matador Travel, Lola does other online travel outlets–such as Brave New Traveler and Vagabondish–proud with her command of language and inviting writing style. So bundle up, make a vodka tonic, watch the Northern Lights, and check out her picks for music to set the mood.

“Shuttling back and forth between Washington, D.C. and Stockholm for the last two years meant I had to immerse in all things svensk: food, culture, mood, and of course, music. This summer will be no different. In preparation, I’ve been blasting Sveriges Radio AB in the background, trying to subconsciously immerse myself, while coding away at work.

Here are a few cool tunes from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

Sweden

  • För en lång lång tid(For a long, long time)–Håkan Hellström
    With wailing, echoing vocals similar to The Cure’s Robert Smith, Swedish Håkan’s happy-go-lucky sounding tune reminds me of summer. Its lyrics aren’t so happy-go-lucky.
  • Måndagsbarn–Veronica Maggio
    Very sultry and fresh, Veronica’s beautiful voice with its bluesy twang makes this tune.
  • Tonight–Lykke Li
    Tonight by indie singer Lykke is ethereal and very hypnotic. A few too many “don’t you let me go” pushes it to the edge of mildly annoying, but a beautiful song nonetheless.
  • Himmelen–Autisterna
    Morrissey sounding vocals mixed with a 60s jive beat; Himmelen by Autisterna, a band from Göteborg, instantly puts me in a good mood.
  • Slipstenar–Kungers
    An ingenious mix of folk, reggae, and rock, when I first heard Slipstenar with its Latin flair, I had to listen closely before realizing they were actually singing in Swedish.
  • Italy vs Helsinki–Laakso (featuring Peter Jöback)
    While Laakso considers itself more pop than rock, this infectiously melodic tune is very reminiscent of The Verve. Peter Arne Jöback, no doubt, is one of Sweden’s best voices.
  • Through Your Eyes–Nina Kinert
    When SAAB used this song for its worldwide campaign, this Swedish folk songstress was instantly catapulted to fame.
  • Miss America–Måns Zelmerlöw
    Think Duran Duran with this 80s sounding Euro-pop track. Måns was also a contestant on Swedish Idol 2005.

Denmark

  • It’s Close up Far Away–The Kissaway Trail
    This Danish band from Odense is definitely your quintessential emo rocker band. Beautiful and melodic with great lyrics.
  • Aly, Walk With Me–The Raveonettes
    Driving guitars, moody, and dark, this song by the Danish duo with its electronic feel is very reminiscent of Depeche Mode.
  • Lust –The Raveonettes
    Sounds exactly like its title. Another solid song from Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner of the Raveonettes.
  • The Air We Breathe–The Figurines
    Definitely a 70s hippie-sounding track, this tune by the psychedelic alternative rockers is breathlessly effortless and instantly transports you back to a time when all we needed was love.
  • Come On Come On–Knud Mortensen (Fat Tuesday)
    I remember one cold night in København walking into an almost empty Mojo Blues Bar. Nestled within was a Blues musician belting his soul out to only four patrons – myself included.

Norway

  • My Lover Will Go–Ane Brun
    Simple yet mesmerizingly soulful, this track by Norwegian singer/songwriter reminds me of a mix between Jewel and Jeff Buckley.
  • Suffused With Love–Sondre Lerche
    Bob Dylan (folk) meets Coldplay (alternative rock) is how I’d describe Bergen-born Sondre. His style is very eclectic, and Suffused With Love is one of those songs that instantly drew me with melodious guitar strumming and soft vocals.
  • Movies–Morten Harket
    Best known as the lead singer for the widely popular Norwegian band, a-ha, Morten is coming out with new solo album this year. Soft, gloomy, yet beautiful, what more could you ask from one of the most recognizable voices in music.”

For more on the latest and hottest Scandinavian Music, check out expert Avi Roig’s excellent blog: “It’s a Trap” – http://www.itsatrap.com.


Photo courtesy LA.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)