Hater

Red Blinders (Southbound)

★★★ Last year was a prolific one for this indiepop quartet from Malmo¨. About a year into their life as a band, they’ve released an album, toured widely, and have followed up with this four-track EP. Like many of their Swedish compatriots – ABBA, The Cardigans, Ace of Base – they have the ability to mix shimmering pop with an undercurrent of minor-key melancholy, and this duality keeps things interesting. Of particular mention is lead singer Caroline Landahl, whose gently exhaled falsetto trills above a bedding of Johnny Marr-like guitar jangling. Rest is the best track on offer, and would sound perfectly at home as the score of a cinematic TV ad – catchy-butunobtrusive, sitting politely in the background, smiling sadly at you. – James Cardno