Kalevi Suopursu, Guggenheim-projektz, Hermaja and Rock Siltanen

These quick spring release round-up posts now turn into a Kalevi Suopursu appreciation society. During the last few years I’ve learned that I love pretty much all music-related things that somehow involves Kalevi Suopursu. It don’t matter whether it’s Amuri, Guggenheim-projektz, Kalevi Suopursu Karaoke Show or just adding some VHS magic to songs by other beautiful artists. It’s all pure gold. Therefore one of my favorite albums of this spring has been the new solo album Yksin yksiössä that came out on Helmi Levyt on the 13th of March. A wonderful record that contain (should be) hits like Sinä olet minun sunnuntai, Mies Saabissa itkee ja Sotkin käteni vereen.

If you are hungry for more and quite frankly who wouldn’t be, one of his bands Guggenheim-projektz also released a great new album called Dersu Uzala. Here’s the lead track Matematiikon poika. Check out the whole album on the streaming services or buy a cassette version from Helmi Levyt.

Guggenheim-projektz at Facebook

Then a couple of other gorgeous Finnish releases with some video art from Kalevi Suopursu. First the debut album Kultasuoni from Hermaja that came out on the 8th of May on Helmi Levyt. It’s sad that there’s no Hullu Ruusu anymore, but thankfully both Merita Berg and Antti Hermaja are releasing equally wondrous music on their own / with their new groups. Here’s Charlotta Siren from the new Hermaja album.

Hermaja at Facebook

And last but definitely not the least on this little round up is the new magical single from Rock Siltanen. I was ready to spend the summer of 2020 singing along to a completely another song by Rock Siltanen, but that’s not what life had in store for us. We shall do the Uskon Huuhkajiin sing-alongs next summer, but Rock Siltanen has a perfect song for these current times too. Tulevaisuus ei oo sitä mitä se oli is warm-hearted, beautiful and full of empathy. A kind shoulder to lean on, if the anxiety tries to take a hold of me. Oh and be on the lookout for the Amuri debut album out in the fall of 2020. It will contain more magnificent songs from both Kalevi Suopursu and Rock Siltanen. If this blog / world still exists at the end of 2020, it might well turn out to be my album of the year.

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Dakota Theim, Mo Troper, Witch’s Wall and Untogethers

Over the years this blog has drifted towards roots-ier surroundings, but every now and then it’s good to go back to the actual roots of the blog and share a couple of fabulous pop songs. This little blog entry is heavily influenced by the new Dakota Theim album Somewhere Under the Sun, which came out on the 10th of January. I just found this Portland-based songwriter and his album last Friday thanks to American Standard Time. Read their long and detailed review here to get a better grip of why you should introduce your heart to these songs or just hit play below to hear a couple of melodic and catchy pop treasures. This is such a wonderful 60s / early 70s influenced pop album and I love every second of it.

Dakota Theim at Facebook
Dakota Theim Website

Another should-be hit record from Portland is the forthcoming Mo Troper album Natural Beauty that is due out on Tender Loving Empire on the 14th of February. The previous one Exposure & Response was one of the best power pop albums I’ve heard in recent years, so I have high expectations for this one. I think I already shared Jas from Australia in the latter parts of 2019, so let’s drop the other two singles here.

Mo Troper at Facebook

Witch’s Wall are from Birmingham, Alabama and they have a self-titled debut album coming out on the 3rd of April on Cornelius Chapel Records. I don’t know a whole lot about them yet, but I do know that this first single Lady Love is rather superb and comes also in form of a beautiful nostalgic video. I look forward to hearing their blend of dreamy pop, experimental rock and psychedelic vibes when the album arrives.

Witch’s Wall at Facebook

Last stop on this pop tour tonight is Tampere, Finland and the great new single The Peasant from Untogethers. A full-length album will follow in March on Iso Pinkki, but first we can enjoy this gorgeous 60s influenced pop song along with archive footage of Finnish lumberjacks doing some log racing back in the late 40s.

Untogethers at Facebook

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Hello Emerson, The Innocence Mission, Liila Jokelin and Laura Moisio

A quick post of few things I’ve loved madly during the recent weeks. Beginning with a new favorite Hello Emerson from Columbus, Ohio. I just recently discovered them, because one of my favorite labels Anyway Records released their new album How to Cook Everything in the states. It’s on K&F Records here in Europe. My addiction started with this beautiful and moving story song Seat16b. A really lovely Kylli-täti kinda video too (only Finns know that reference). The whole record is equally great and just came out on the 24th of January.

Hello Emerson Website
Hello Emerson at Facebook

The Innocence Mission from Lancaster, Pennsylvania has released wonderful music since 1989. Their new album See You Tomorrow came out on Bella Union on the 17th of January and it sets the bar really high for 2020. The opening trio The Brothers Williams Said, On Your Side and Movie is just oh wow and the magic stays with you throughout the heavenly beautiful record.

The Innocence Mission Website
The Innocence Mission at Facebook

The debut album by Finnish songwriter Liila Jokelin sneaked into my 2019 top 3 during the last month of the year. It didn’t get a whole lot of recognition on this blog though due to the late release date at the end of November. I don’t think I ever even shared this gorgeous music video for album cut Sateet tuovat terveisensä. So let’s take care of that now and further recommend her great album Kaamos on huono esileikki that came out on Helmi Levyt. Such a strong and unique record that doesn’t play it safe. Beautiful, dramatic, disturbing and never ever boring.

Liila Jokelin at Facebook

The song I’ve loved the most during this first month of 2020 is the new Laura Moisio single Kaukana onnesta. It’s poignant, quietly monumental and deeply moving. A song that maybe resonates with me more than I’m comfortable to admit, because I’m not always the most optimistic type. Therefore this devastatingly beautiful song also serves as a good reminder to not let things slide out of my control. And despite the almost overwhelming sadness, the song is still somehow comforting and instead of dragging me down, it is able to fill my heart with warmth and light. Her new album is coming out on the 6th of March on Texicalli Records. I can’t wait to hear it, because the two advance singles have been pure gold.

Laura Moisio at Facebook
Laura Moisio Website

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