Another year, and yes, another Scandinavian, “Lauded indie pop darling”, looks set to stir us from the damp bleakness of our daily grind, with a dose of bright glowing pop.
From the age of 4 , Amanda Mair, has picked-up and learnt to play the guitar, bass and drums, and moved from singing backing vocals to centre stage, writing her subtle ditties on the piano. With scant publicity or online promotion, Mair’s work with an associate of the Swedish label Labrador (Acid House Kings, The Radio Dept. and Sambassadeur) brought her a contract. Now at the age of 17, showing a maturity and knowing well beyond her years, Sweden’s next great hope will soon be gracing us with her debut album (June 11th 2012); beckoning us in with this, her third, single Sense.
Perfectly encapsulating the spirited teens heart-pranged anthems, Sense proves Mair has an assiduous ear for a commercially catchy tune. Produced by fellow label-mate and member of The Mary Onettes, Philip Ekström, the song’s glacial veneer is soon melted away, as the shimmering synth and intimate backbeat taps-out a pleasant breezy melody. Mair’s vocals themselves echo those of Lykke Li, especially when she swoons the poignant lines, “Times I’ve been trying to leave you behind/So many times your ghost has followed me home”. Yet she does manage to retain her own soothing, cutesy burr; unique in many ways to most of the glittering Scandinavian pop pack.
Already named as the Swede’s break-through act of 2012, Amanda Mair is riding a wave of good-will and anticipation. Though on the strength of this single it looks like Robyn and Lykke can relax, their positions not yet usurped by the new-kid-on-the-block.
09/04/2012
[Rating:3]
