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Better Off As Friends

Better Off As Friends

Swedish indie pop band King of Little Sweden depicts the melancholic contradictions of romantic farewells in their new single “Better Off As Friends”. Julia Jonsson’s vocals elicit nostalgia for unlived experiences, which in combination with the intimate instrumentals results in a project somewhere between the pop-influenced RnB of Janice and the DIY-approach of Swedish acts like Hello Saferide.

Recorded in Europe’s possibly highest music studio at 1675 meters above the sea in Verbier (Switzerland), “Better Off As Friends” is the band’s second single with Rexius Records after a one-year hiatus. Its sound presents more visible R&B influences than its predecessor “I’ll Be Waiting”, while still preserving an indie pop approach.

There’s also a touch of etherpop, evidenced by the vocal harmonizers reminiscent of Imogen Heap and the floating background melodies of the synth and guitar. Together with the soulful vocals, “Better Off As Friends” might at times evoke an abstract nostalgia that feels like yours, longing for something you haven’t yet lost.

King of Little Sweden was born as a family project that was made official in 2014, in the Swiss studio owned by the band’s producer/manager and uncle, Sven du Gay. His nephews Julia (vocals) and Love (songwriting) had spent many childhood evenings singing and jamming together with the family, so their 2014 gathering in Verbier was a natural continuation of this. The family’s friends came along to complete the ensemble that year.

Their ability to transform songs into sonic milk and honey earned them first place on Swedish radio station P3’s rotation for upcoming artists. A mastering collaboration with Abbey Road was also made possible along the way.

They signed with Rexius Records in 2017. We’ll hear the latest development of their collective creations with the release of “Better Off As Friends” on January 17th.

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