Tuesday's Recommended Release

Emil Svanangen has been at this for a while now. In the past three plus years he has managed to release four albums as Loney, Dear, all of which have been written, recorded, produced, released, marketed, and sold on his own. All of his hard work has paid off with an ever increasing number of fans, some well backed buzz, and of course a record deal with Sub Pop. This week the world will be hit with Loney, Dear's fifth album and first with Sub Pop, Loney, Noir. Recorded entirely in his bedroom studio the album once again proves Emil's talent as a musician and songwriter.

The album could most easily be classified as a folk album, after all the whole idea behind it is that Emil is a singer songwriter, but anyone that really listens to the album would know this label doesn't fit Loney, Dear at all. The sound on the album is much larger than your traditional folk album as it finds plenty of room to add a number of different instruments on top of Emil's singing and guitar playing. Moments of organ, saxophone, clarinet, and drum are all layered on top of each other here as well as moments were Svanangen uses his own voice to back up his singing.

The main attraction of the album though is the songwriting found on the album. Emil deftly manages to blend bits of narcissism, self hatred, sarcasm, and so many other elements into each one of his songs. All this components combine to create some emotionally heartfelt songs that define Loney, Dear as an artist without pigeonholing him to anything.

This a fine album from a fine musician at the top of his game. With the new backing of Sub Pop in his corner, and the best album he has yet to record Emil is destined to reach a new level of success bringing his sound and his songs to a new, larger group of fans. Its good news for everyone involved and should make any music fan happy this release day!
Loney, Dear - "I Am the Odd One"
Loney, Dear - "Carrying A Stone"
Loney, Dear - "No One Can Win"
buy it at insound!

By now you should have heard everything you need to know about Peter Bjorn & John's Writer's Block. It made a slew of year end lists (including mine), has one of the catchiest songs of decade on it, and has been raved about on practically every blog in the world. You should be so sold on this album that you have downloaded and bought it on import already, but don't let that stop you from buying the version being released in the U.S. today. Featuring a bonus disc of material makes this absolutely worth purchasing again. So add it to your shopping list.
buy it at insound!


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