Tuesday, November 30, 2010

TVD Package Deal


Junip: And then there were three (Swedish obsessions that begin with J.)


If you’ve ever had ‘the spins’ after a long night of drinking, or listened to Nick Drake on a hot summer night with the windows open - you get it. You have probably heard Junip’s 2005 EP Black Refuge and waited patiently for the Nordic trio to come out with a full pour of folk-intoxication.

I can face it, 'Rope & Summit' is an impossible song to dislike. It doesn’t have any of the obvious electronica interjections that 'It’s Alright' possesses—it’s catchy, and pleasant. I am caught by other onlookers wiggling to its rhythm, we exchange a knowing smile, close our eyes and return to our respective shimmy space to pitch and yaw to the synthesizing effects of 'Sweet & Bitter.'



They gave us a taste of Fields and their four track May, 2010 EP Rope and Summit, and as a result their hungry turnout at Black Cat shocked me. Only a few months after Fields' release, everyone welcomed each song intro with joyous anticipation.

Junip has waited, and ridden Jose Gonzalez’s success. His famous vocals (and guitar), Elias Araya on drums, and Tobias Winterkorn on keys and synths—gorgeous.


As I listen to the easy sounds I think to myself, Junip may have come first, but these three friends were inevitably going to create this album no matter what came of Jose Gonzalez's solo career. I myself would not want to live in a world with a Jose-less Junip, or to ever look upon my collection to find Veneer not sitting proudly, nudging its slightly weathered sleeve against a new, shiny Fields.

Junip is one letter away from being one of my favorite drinks. I sip as I create my shimmy space, losing all inhibitions listening to 'Without You' and hopefully ride the dusty spins in 'In Every Direction.'


Add Junip to my mounting "Swede Obsession"; Jenny Wilson, Jens Lekman, and Junip

No comments: