I literally just got an email from Symfoniorkestern announcing a new ep about a minute ago. Since I had neglected Swedesplease for most of the day today I ran downstairs to my desktop (the laptop upstairs is too wonky for such an important post) and started typing. What to say is the question? In the past I have compared them to Detektivbyrän and listening to track 3 – “Del 3″ – makes me think I was definitely on to something. But whereas Detektivbyrän are a one trick pony (an excellent one at that); Symfoniorkestern have more range – they add odd chanting vocals, bits of dissonance and some lovely harmonies.

There are 5 songs on the ep and each one is a revelation. They range in tempo and style from the pop flavored title track to the electronic undertones of “Elektron Kukéso” to the near cathartic frenzied/ominous synth sounds of “Del 3″. The new ep, Tänd eld på dig själv (för det du tror på), is available here for free in its awesome, spellbinding entirety. The band has spent a year and a half recording this ep, I only wish I could somehow give this review the same amount of care. I hope you download these tracks and enjoy them.

Tand Eld Pa Dig Sjalv

Bonus

Del 3

Video for “Tand Eld Pa Dig Sjalv”

I’m going to follow up on my previous post about the group Symfoniorkestern (the only one ever for the band) with yet another post about this Symphonic Orchestra. How’s that for obscure Swedish orchestral indie pop?

Here’s the band’s eclectic list of influences courtesy of their Myspace page:

beethoven & debussy & chopin & bach & pachelbel & the brilliant green & kaji hideki & shiina ringo & pizzicato five & cornelius & kent & sergio mendes & broder daniel & lars winnerbäck & takeshi kobayashi & vapnet & sibiria & hospitalet & fiona apple & judy and mary & frank sinatra & the beatles & david bowie & tv-resistori & malice mizer & schytts & joe hisaishi & nobou uematsu.

And here’s the new song followed by the video. Enjoy.

Reprise

And the cool handmade animated video for “Reprise”

Symfoniorkestern – Reprise