Johan Brännström - New Set of Dreams EP (2012)

I may have failed to mention that each member of Swedish indie-pop trio Heart-Sick Groans is a talented musician in their own right. Earlier this year, we were introduced to Henric Wallmark's recent solo project Ghost Lake but Heart-Sick Groans' main vocalist/string player Johan Brännström has been churning out solo tunes for awhile now.

In fact, two days ago Brännström released his short 3 song New Set of Dreams EP which is filled with thoughtful, contemplative folksy songwriting. It's certainly a surprisingly but impressive change of pace from the infectious, sugary chamber pop stylings of the Heart-Sick Groans. And while not as the overtly catchy as his work with the trio, there's an undeniable replay quality to New Set of Dreams. It's stripped down and basic allowing Brännström's simple but poignant lyricism to stand on its own two feet and the result is a pretty fine release that you'll have a hard time putting down. And it'll certainly have me paying more attention to Heart-Sick Groans songs of which Johan Brännström is chief lyricist because underneath their poppy dressings, there must no doubt be something that hints to this level of skillful songwriting.

Enjoy Johan Brännström's New Set of Dreams EP and here's hoping there's more to come.

Watch: Ghost Lake - "Late Spring Morning Sunlight"

Henric Wallmark of Heart-Sick Groans may function as the groups co-songwriter and producer and created his own solo project but did you know he's also a talented video producer? Yes, clearly the man's dripping with talent. While he's mostly produced videos for others, it makes sense that with his solo project Ghost Lake, that he'd have a hand in that too. 

The video for "Late Spring Morning Sunlight" sees a bunch of masked dancers infiltrating a rather small apartment, packed into kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and the like where they pulse along with the tracks rhythms and slowly devolve tanking on the characteristics of their monster masks. The change is subtle, as they sip tea and cook meals before filtering out into other parts of the dwelling where their dancing becoming more rigorous and wild. The coloring gives the video both the look of a home video while also casting things in a sort of otherworldly glow. 

A much more fitting video than any sort of literal interpretation of the track. Watch the video for Ghost Lake's "Late Spring Morning Sunlight":

  

Ghost Lake - Late Spring Morning Sunlight EP (2012)

A couple months ago I was introduced to Heart-Sick Groans' Henric Wallmark's solo project Ghost Lake with the title track from his debut EP "Late Spring Morning Sunlight". Well, actually I was also introduced to the EP proper and while I made sure to post the aforementioned title track, the rest of the EP kind of fell by the wayside. A huge mistake, I assure you. 

Ghost Lake's Late Spring Morning Sunlight EP is a series of introspections where each song effortless invokes sunlight softly streaming into your bedroom window. Opener and title-track being the most obvious in this as Wallmark croons about the way the early morning sun shines on his lovers skin. Rowdier track "Music" recalls fellow Swedish pop purveyors Suburban Kids With Biblical Names with it's chorus: "All I care about is music, it's the only thing that means anything to me" that has a very "Loop Duplicate My Heart"-esque rejection of others.  On Late Spring Spring Morning Sunlight, Wallmark plays with a delicacy that imbues each song with a quiet sincerity while also creating a gratifying work of musical composition. 

Even stripping away the overtly pop dressing of Heart-Sick Groans, Wallmark still manages to create a set of delightfully memorable musical moments. The result is something that while a bit rough around the edges sounds very much like a well-kept secret. But do yourself and him a favor and spread it as far and wide as you can. Late Spring Morning Sunlight is a secret that doesn't need keeping despite what its heartfelt intimacy might suggest.

Give Ghost Lake debut EP a listen and make sure to spread the good word:

You can download the EP for free at THEM Records here. 

 

Listen: Ghost Lake - "Late Spring Morning Sunlight"

Remember the charming Swedish indie pop trio Heart-Sick Groans who's brand new tune "If the Canary Stops Singing" I premiere last month? Of course you do. While they're currently working on the latest EP (and a video for "If the Canary Stops Singing" if Facebook pics are to be believed), one of the lads is stepping out on his own. Henric Wallmark, co-songwriter and producer, is releasing his solo debut as Ghost Lake later this month.

On "Late Spring Morning Sunlight", Ghost Lake trades in the overt catchiness and perfect arrangements of Heart-Sick Groans and offers up something a little more introspective without trading in any of that overabundance of talent. The track is still catchy in the way that's sure to give you a case of earworm, with its craning melodies and plentiful percussion. It's a simple love song that still manages to be heart-warmingly infectious. Check it out.



Ghost Lake's solo debut Late Spring Morning Sunlight EP is out March 15th on THEM Records so look out for it!