Like Swimming Structures Album Review

We take a listen of the debut album from Like Swimming.

Swedish trio Like Swimming burst into the music scene last year with the irrepressibly optimistic and undeniably infectious single ‘Go Buffalo’, a euphoric rush of boy-girl bubblegum voices and perky funkiness.

Their first full length offering certainly has its share of pop flavours, albeit with a leftfield twist and a natural eccentricity, but over the ten tracks here they also manage to display a depth and variety you wouldn’t expect to encounter. Opening tune ‘Among A Thousand Desperate Minds’ sets the tone by apparently tackling the world financial crisis over what sounds like The Killers covering Aphex Twin.

Current single ‘A Room of Her Own’ has echoes of The Cure’s emotional resonance but also MGMT’s dayglo melodies, not to mention another killer chorus courtesy of Ida Hedene’s kooky vocal contribution. But towards the end of the album it becomes steadily more introspective, from the wonderously mystical acoustic workout ‘Dance Any Way’ to moving finale ‘For Hanna’, where the band implore a friend not to take their life. Combining the two great Scandinavian musical traits in one, namely an icy, eerie mysticism and a knack for straight up catchiness, what’s not to like about Like Swimming?!