I am always excited when Matinée Records release something new, because so far (and they have a long history) EVERYTHING have been good from this label. The recent years have been better than ever, and one of the bands from the label that really has made my heart beat faster recently, is the Danish indiepop-trio Northern Portrait.

Earlier this year, they released their fabulous debut ep  “The Fallen Aristocracy”, with the intensely catchy “Crazy” as the leading track. Now they have released a new 4 track EP, “Napoleon Sweetheart EP”, and it’s another super-brilliant release from the band! In many ways, it’s even better than their debut. “I give you two seconds to entertain me” is a classic pop song with a chorus to die for, and the vocals are …mmmm! Stefan Larsen’s vocals are among the best out there. He’s been compared to people like Morrissey and Jens Lekman, but they are both far below him on my list.

Please learn this poor Norwegian writer some more superlatives to use for this review…

Northern Portrait’s songs have a rare quality, and like on their debut, all of the four songs on this EP could have been the a-side of a single. “Sporting a Scar”, “Our Lambrusco Days” and especially “In an Empty Hotel” are all really, really good songs that will be played over and over again on my stereo.

Now I’ve got 8 songs + a cover (via Buffet Libre’s fine Rewind project) from this fabulous band, and I already want more. The band have recorded their debut album, and from what I’ve understood, it will be a matinée release too. The label will release new albums from several bands we love in the coming months: Would-Be-Goods, The Lucksmiths, Bubblegum Lemonade and The Guild League… Oh, I love matinée!

Listen to “I give you two seconds to entertain me”:

northern portrait – i give you two seconds to entertain me

THE FIELD MICE – IF YOU NEED SOMEONE (covered by razorio007)
[youtube a3hkfWkCkfE]

I stumbled over some videos on youtube this morning by a guy with the username razorio007. I was actually searching on Google for one of my favourite Sarah Records-bands, The Springfields, which sent me to a Sarah-video and then to this guy covering The Field Mice on his ukulele. I looked through his profile and found a lot of wonderful cover versions, all on ukulele, and sadly, none of the videos shows us who’s actually playing. We can only see his ukulele and his hands playing.

His cover songs include The Field Mice, Wedding Present, The 6ths, The Cure, New Order, Björk, Sebadoh, Neil Young/Saint Etienne (“Only love can break your heart”), Morrissey, Chris Isaak, Bradford/Morrissey (“Skin Storm”), CUB and… Metallica. He really makes the Metallica song sound like a really nice little pop tune. What can we call it? Twee-Metal? In a side note, I must mention that Eardrums-friend Richard Holmsen, who participated on our “Summer’s here!” compilation, is known for doing this song acoustic on his concerts, also slowed down, but very different than this.

Razorio007′s songs reminds me of the style of Jacob Borshard and in some way also ANT (both on the “Summer’s here” compilation too).

Here are a couple more of my favourites from razorio007, and Mr. Razorio007, if you read this, please contact us!

THE WEDDING PRESENT – WHY ARE YOU BEING SO REASONABLE NOW?
[youtube RrCcgtw8t2Q]

METALLICA – BLACKENED
[youtube CA3z7BfqGJw]

Visit razorio007 on youtube to see the rest of his ukulele cover songs.

I just got recommended this band from the rainy town of Bergen on the west coast of Norway. Professor Pez gives you cheerful and upbeat indiepop with catchy riffs and vocals. I especially like the song “Papillon”.

 Enjoy!!

Professor Pez

Check this out! It’s a wonderful band from Iceland called Rökkurró. I just bought their lovely album “Thad kolnar i kvold…”, and I only understand parts of the lyrics, but the music is so wonderful that it’s just nice to imagine what the songs are about. The album is out on 12tonar, and you can buy it through their webshop. Enjoy!

[youtube hk9itdbcgFk]

I just saw this, and am listening to the song for the first time as I write this. Pitchfork has a new song from Hello Saferide on their site, and I just had to tell you… Sounds great, as always.

Hello Saferide – Anna (via pitchfork)