There hasn’t been enough Finnish music here lately. Let’s make amends by posting some of my recent favourites.

First we have Hiljaiset kallot and their debut 7″ single Miespaikalla Ruotsiin / Kaunis nainen. It’s been out for a while on Fonal Records and it’s definitely a crime that it took me this long to post it. Hiljaiset kallot carries the torch lit by the forever lovely TV-Resistori and delivers a couple of outstanding and unique pop songs. This one is the a-side Miespaikalla Ruotsiin.

Hiljaiset kallot Website

I posted about this single by Salaliitto a while back, but a reminder is in order because I just keep on listening to this all the time. Plus I still haven’t posted this b-side Kaikilla on aikaa, which is one of my favourite Finnish songs of the year. I can’t wait to hear the full-length. I probably have to wait for a long while though because getting those vinyls pressed takes ages these days. The single is available on their Bandcamp. This is Kaikilla on aikaa.

Salaliitto at Facebook

Janne Tapio released his self-titled debut album early in the summer. I remember this guy from Supernova Crush. Maybe that’s why I get all these Posies-vibes and melodic power pop vibes even though this doesn’t have that much to do with that. Anyway, together with Jussi Suonikko (whom you might remember as the violin/mandolin maestro of Hi-Lo & In Between), Janne Tapio has created a very good folk-tinged pop album. This is Hälytyskello from the album. You can buy/listen to the whole album on his Bandcamp.

Janne Tapio at Bandcamp

No Sideways for me. I’m spending the night at home with my cat and we are listening to Mattias Björkas and I couldn’t be happier about this. Of course, I do have a slight issue with Vasas flora och fauna. My Swedish skills have never been very good and these days those skills are just downright awful. Knowing how good lyrics Mattias can write and not being able to fully understand.. well that hurts a little. Still, you couldn’t create a language barrier that would stop that voice from entering into my heart. Me and Mattias. We have a lifelong connection. Yeah, it’s only onesided, but it’s there. The hours, days and months of listening to Cats On Fire formed that connection and nowadays his songwriting and vocal delivery are part of who I am. That might sound rather silly and naive, but that’s how I often like to think. The music that I fall in love with, kind of becomes a part of who I am.

Before this little blog entry becomes 100% man crush (ok, it probably already is), I should say that Vasas Flora & Fauna is not a one man show. Iiris Viljanen wrote the album with Mattias and also sings a major part of the lead vocals on the album. Iiris left the band after the recordings, but no worries, the new recruit Tina Kärkinen (Swaying Wires) is a perfect replacement and more than capable of handling those female lead vocals.

The album Släkt med Lotta Svärd is now out and available on the excellent Swedish label Startracks. This is the latest single Gudförälder from this lovely album.

Vasas flora och fauna Website