Album Review :: Like Swimming - Structures

Like Swimming

Structures

September 8 2014 (DigSin)

6.5/10

Words: Andy Runacres

One might be forgiven for thinking there was a Swedish template for music that all bands had to conform to before being let loose on the world. Be it the chart hits of Abba, the indie of The Wannadies and The Cardigans, the indie rock of T.S.O.L., or the folk of I’m From Barcelona and First Aid Kit, the music is all imbued with a strong pop sensibility; it then just varies to which point on the line between indie rock and pop that they place themselves.

And so we come to this new Swedish three-piece Like Swimming, who are just about to announce themselves to the world with this debut album. I say 'new', but in all truth the Stockholm-based Claes Carlström, Ida Hedene and Petter Wesslander have been working together for seven years now: the last two as Like Swimming, previous to which they were known as You Say France, I Whistle.

As with the aforementioned bands, Like Swimming too offer the Swedish signature sound of uplifting music juxtaposed with melancholic, darker lyrics, pop sing-alongs and soaring harmonies. With vocal duties shared throughout, the songs often work best when utilising the male/female vocal interplay, and is perhaps at its best on 'Icarus', the lead single from the album, 'Let’s Go' with its folky instrumentation backed with electronic clicks and percussion, and on 'God Knows', a song backed by twinkling piano, gently strummed guitar chords and skittery percussion.

Current single 'Go Buffalo' is as near perfect a pop song as you may be likely to get, with stabbed keyboard chords, pounding drums and ranging chorus worked around nicely layered vocals.  After a few listens it lodges itself firmly in the brain - that earworm that will keep popping into your head at regular intervals throughout the day.

The upbeat pop vibe doesn’t persist through the album, however, with slower songs like 'Dance Any Way I Please', the excellent 'Break With You',  and the very dark album closer 'For Hanna' showing a deeper, serious, more downbeat side to their songwriting.

Having picked up interest in the US, Like Swimming could be about to step up to the plate in the UK as well. If you have a place in your heart for indie pop from the likes of Internet Forever or Candy Says, you’ll probably want to find a place in your heart and record collection for these aquatic folk likewise.