Timoteij!
We make no apologies for that fact that we think – or rather, know – that they’re one of the best things to happen to popular music over the last few years. Old fashioned Swedish folk music given a hefty modern overhaul, and crossed with a little bit of schlager and a little bit of mainstream pop. There’s nobody else doing quite what Timoteij do at the moment, and for that reason, their music is something to cherish, to those who like it.
Well they return with their second album next week, ‘Tabu’. It’s been a full two years since their debut, ‘Längtan’. So the girls aren’t resting on any laurels or trading in on any former glories. Instead, they bring with them a fresh update of their sound. Don’t worry – Elina Thorsell still brings with her the flute, Johanna Pettersson her violin (with a funky art deco makeover), Cecilia Kallin and the guitar, and Bodil Bergström with her accordion – however on ‘Tabu’ they’re joined by dance beats, club sounds, electronic synths, and even some actual dubstep (three songs contain a dubstep breakdown – THREE).
When you play the full album from start to finish the first time, it almost feels like you’ve just listened to a totally different band. However, going back to it a second time, after the initial shock of the change in sound, you realise that actually these songs are still very much Timoteij. The folk melodies are still there, as are the key changes and the lyrics about dancing around under the sunset of a summer’s evening. They’re just dressed up differently. In the same way the style they wore on the Melodifestivalen stage changed from virginal nude colours in 2010, to sparkly, glitzy nightwear in 2012 – it’s still the Timoteij, just two years older.
The girls sent us the album to listen to, and that’s pretty much all we’ve been doing since getting it yesterday. It’s a great album. Some big highlights, some songs better than others, but honestly not a bad track on there.
The ladies are also kindly allowing us to stream previews of each of the songs on here. So you can have a listen to each of them below.
The album is released next week in Sweden. And for those outside of Sweden, you can already pre-order the album from our online store here.
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Ta Mig Till Sommaren
A bright and fresh opener to the album. Starts off subdued and then turns into a dance number – thus more or less setting the tone of album number 2 by Timoteij, for that’s what you’re getting here.
Tabu
This almighty track is our favourite on the album. The absolute highlight. Two ecclesiastical choruses, and an extended dubstep breakdown in the middle eight that has the girls join in on an “oh-oh-oh” chant which then later serves as the outro. It’s mental – but in the best possible way. The sound of Timoteij in their own mini musical/rock opera. This MUST be the next single!
Högre
More so than any other track on the album – ‘Högre’ showcases the perfect mix of the old and the new Timoteij. You can very much imagine that chorus belted out on the Melodifestivalen stage with a wind machine turned up to the max. And the fact that song clocks in at around 3 minutes probably isn’t a coincidence either.
Säg Det Om Igen
Not the most instant song on here. Unlike others on the album, there’s no big melody that jumps out at you. But it’s still an enjoyable listen. Sort of like that time The Corrs released ‘Dreams’ with the Todd Terry remix.
Stormande Hav
“ETT STORMANDE HAAAAAVVVVVV”! Still brill.
Adrenalin
An apt title. For this is Timoteij’s RAVE anthem, you see! Featuring dubstep. And a creepy 4am-on-a-Sunday-morning-stagger-home footstep outro.
Faller
Another great mix of the old and new Timoteij. This has got one of catchiest choruses on the album. And what’s more, it’s repeated a lot throughout the song. The “la-la-la-la-la-la” parts help too, of course. Another track that ends shortly after the three minute mark….
Glöd
The Timoteij purists will be pleased with this one. ‘Glöd’ is the only song which could pass as a song from their first album. And it’d be one of the better ones on there, at that.
Puls
The most ‘kitchen sink’ think on here. Everything’s been thrown into the mix! Folk, club, a dubstep breakdown, and the biggest and boldest key change on the record. We needed a lie down after it had finished. It’s the title track’s ADD cousin.
Het
Their beloved single from 2011 hasn’t been changed at all. It’s still perfect.
Bara För En Natt
Timoteij go all Ace of Base on us. And early Ace of Base at that. Summery, 90’s Euroreggae – with extra cheese. And a key change.
