THOSE DANCING DAYS - Daydreams & Nightmares

There was considerable anticipation for the return of this all-female quintet from Nacka, a suburb of Stockholm. An anticipation that the band, in light of the new "Daydreams & Nightmares", has managed to repay with interest. Their previous effort, "In Our Space Hero Suits", from 2008, broke more than a few hearts thanks to a spot-on mix of lethal hooks and joie de vivre turned into song. The band led by the curly-haired, charming Linnea Jonsson seemed to pull off, in one go, all the unspoken obsessions and dreams of the indie kid weaned on biscuits and romance, blending with enviable lightness the schoolyard brio of Cure circa "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me" and the danceable wave flutters of Bow Wow Wow, Primitives and Blondie, then dusting it all with the C86 flour of Talulah Gosh, Shop Assistants and Heavenly, bands bordering on the obscure that in Scandinavia, even today, remain current and well-regarded currency (just ask Jens Lekman for his opinion, just to give an example).

A winning formula, of course, isn't to be messed with, and on "Daydreams & Nightmares" Those Dancing Days sharpen their aim, honing the claws of a songwriting style as nimble and fresh as few others. The result is a powder keg of eleven more-than-potential singles, which surprises and wins you over from even a first, distracted listen, thanks to its variety of colours and moods. The guitars move further into the foreground, giving the sound a decidedly more rock-oriented edge ("I Know Where You Live Pt.2"), while the drumming turns powerful and driving (just listen to "Fuckarias", "Can't Find Entrance" or "I'll Be Yours"), setting the perfect stage for the gorgeous vocal harmonies painted with supple grace by the five Swedes (the remarkable "Dream About Me", but also "Help Me Close My Eyes" and "Keep Me In Your Pocket").

The band thus rounds the bend of the second album with ease and, on the strength of a songbook as strong as "Daydreams & Nightmares", secures itself a future of great satisfaction, continuing to write with its own scented ink the diary of a sentimental education in which everyone can find a greater or lesser part of themselves. Perhaps their best yet.

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19/03/2011