As a function of this blogging thing, I usually have a pretty good idea months or years in advance of when one of my favorite bands releases a new record. It’s rare that I’ll be totally blindsided, but I had one of those moments yesterday when I stumbled into a post with a new track from Club 8.
Those who read here with any regularity know about my love for the fey sounds of Scandanavia. Well, Club 8 is the band that got me hooked. I discovered them back in college and was absolutely blown away by how something so simple could convey such ethereal beauty. I devoured everything I could find from them, and kept looking for signs of a new record. But there wasn’t anything and as the years went on, I lost track of them, assuming they had broken up or something.
So you can imagine my joy at finding out they have a new album due out in September. It’s called The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming, and having only heard one track from it, I’m already ready to declare it one of my favorites for the year.
Karolina Komstedt’s voice is as stunning as ever – a drop of morning dew sparkling from the single ray of sun that peaks through the clouds. They’ve broadened their sound a bit, with a perfect lilting bass line straight out of the best Labrador tracks you’ve ever heard, light handclaps, a few sly whistles.
If all that isn’t enough to make it clear why I’m so excited about new stuff from Club 8, just listen to this song:
Spring Came, Rain Fell (via Labrador)
If that doesn’t move you, I’m not sure what can.
And speaking of new tracks from albums I can’t wait to hear, you’ll want to head over to Pitchfork where they have the studio version of Okkervil River’s “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe” – though I have to say I think I prefer the live version I posted here a couple weeks ago:
Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe
It just has more energy and Sheff’s voice feels more complete, less forced. Give them both a listen and let me know if I’m crazy.