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Net Feature/ Lucky Misu: "Intertwine"

  Tobias

In Germany, the term “Old Swede!” would be just the thing you’d incredulously say to yourself to express your feelings of amazement and perplexion at the melodic talent of this bedroom-songwriter – how appropriate, then, that Daniel Bergström should hail from Malmö, the country probably most influential for our contemporary perception of pop (no mean achievement in my book). “Intertwine” does not fall short in terms of this tradition.

Already the tenth release under the Lucky Misu banner, these five tracks may not be the instantaneous radio-fodder the Swedish chart machinery has churned out almost effortlessly in the early 90s, but their immediate emotional effect and positive potential are of an equal standing: This is music which requires no masters degree in sound art to be understood or several spins to make sense: You simply press play and everything looks brighter and better.

This is possibly even more true in the case of “Intertwine” than on any of Bergström’s previous outings, because the album hosts the catchy dance loop “The Room you are in”, a miniature miracle of a bouncing bass line, stuttering bass drum, an atmospheric keyboard melody and backroom radio vocals steering the track from the off. This is the kind of music that may not change the world, but has enough optimism to save a rainy day from turning sour.

Closer “In the Hotel” comes close to repeating the formula at approximately half-speed, colouring the sky in autumnal timbres and combining melancholy and feelgood vibes into a mood of complete relaxation and rest, with Bergström unhurried vocals appearing almost clean amidst warm electronica: “Let’s stay in bed, it’s really the best place to hide!”

The other tracks are less demonstrative and work according to a stop-and-go logic, which only occasionaly comes to a full release – the digital techno-house pop of “Everything that Counts” being the exception and providing for flow and fluency again. 

Considering this is only half an album, the many different shadings that Daniel Bergström is able to award his pieces is quite astounding. There seems to be a kind of narrative behind this collection, a clear tension arch that brings an additional quality to the already detailed arrangements. “Intertwine” is yet another interesting addition to the multifacetted Lucky Misu sound, which Bergström sums up better himself than I ever could: “It wouldn't be Lucky Misu if it sounded like the previous stuff.” Well spoken, old Swede!

By Tobias Fischer

Homepage: Lucky Misu
Homepage: Corpid Netlabel