It's been a highly gloomy June this year in Los Angeles, the likes of which I haven't seen since my first summer here in 1999. Some days the sun comes out by the afternoon, some it doesn't come out at all.And so, while running errands yesterday, Swede producer Kleerup's self-titled album seemed to provide the perfect soundtrack while driving through the overcast city. It's a sad collection of moody electronic tracks featuring guest singers such as Lykke Li, Marit Bergman and Linda Sunblad. But there are a few happy pop moments ("On My Own Again," which Kleerup himself sings on).
As for the melancholy qualities, the press release mentions that a lot of the album was recorded while Andreas Kleerup was in a rehab center after suffering both "a massive emotional breakup and a massive emotional breakdown."That said, overall, it's quickly rising up my extremely short list of 2009's truly great albums. Definitely grab this one.
Kleerup's debut set is coming out Stateside on Astralwerks, the EMI/Capitol imprint that released Kylie Minogue's X and Pet Shop Boys' Yes here. The release date is July 28.
One intereresting thing to note: While "With Every Heartbeat," his hit collaboration with Robyn (and Chart Rigger's annointed Best Pop Single Of 2007), is included, "Lay Me Down," the song he produced for Cyndi Lauper's Bring Ya To The Brink is here as mostly an instrumental—and it's been retitled "Thank You For Nothing." Hmmm.
Anyway, here's the vid for first single "Longing For Lullabies," which features Neneh Cherry's sister Titiyo on vocals: