Young and Swedish

Swedish indie rock band The Sounds have released their newest record Weekend, and it’s the perfect record to keep you dancing during the coming cold months. Often compared to legendary new wave acts like Blondie and The Cars, The Sounds are a great update of your favorite ’80s bands and effortlessly blend post punk, darker pop and Swedish charm. The band is fronted by the (fittingly blonde) Maja Ivarsson, whose powerful, poppy, upbeat voice would undoubtedly make Debbie Harry proud. Ivarsson’s influences range from Depeche Mode and Roxy Music to Britney Spears (“Toxic,” specifically), so their sound will make a fan out of any music lover.

Weekend opens with the straight-out pop song “Shake Shake Shake” that is guaranteed to get you up and moving, and wanting to hear what the rest of the record has in store. The stand-out track on the album is the song “Animal,” which is the best example of their darker sound and will hopefully work its way into future albums. The Sounds’ new wave influence shows through the most in the closing song on Weekend, “Young and Wild,” with lots of keyboards and a synthy dance beat ripped straight out of the ’80s, ending the album on a great note that will make you want to listen to it again right way.

Often paired on tours with bands like Panic! At The Disco and Matt & Kim, The Sounds’ potential to woo post punk and new wave fans is limited, but with the right exposure even the sullenest of New Order fans will be hard pressed to turn them away. Having consistently released records for the past ten years, there’s no sign that this band will be slowing down anytime soon, and if Weekend is any example of what we have in store from them, they will definitely be a band to watch.