I think I argued last year that nothing says love like Swedish dance-pop--and so, with that in mind, that's what I'm posting today. Is the song I'm about to post Fredrik Kempe's best song? No, but I still love it, and at any rate You Don't Know Pop and Don't Stop The Pop have both featured songs from him before, and made great choices on which songs of his to highlight.The song might also be familiar to you from...oh, well, probably not, but I knew it from Gareth Gates's first album. Fredrik recorded his own version of it for his second album, Bohéme, and kept it in its original ballad style. However, near the end of the album, you get this remix, which may not appeal to fans of the original, but that I still love.
A little bit about Fredrik, just in case you missed the aforementioned earlier features on him on other blogs: he debuted as a singer in 2002 with the great dance-opera hybrid "Vincero." He's gone on to release two albums as well as compete in Melodifestivalen twice, once by himself singing "Finally" and once with Sanna Nielsen singing "Du och jag mot världen." Last year, he gave us some of Melodifestivalen's best songs, including "Cara Mia," "Våger Du Våger Jag," and "Rainbow Star." This year, he's got two entries, Charlotte Perrelli's "Hero" and Daniel Mitsogiannis's "Pame," both of which I'm very excited to hear. You may also be familiar with his song "Miss America," which Måns Zelmerlöw covered to great effect on his album Stand By For....
With You All The Time (NiteSite Version)--this isn't danced up enough to the level of calling it ridiculous dance-pop (one of my favorite subgenres), but I love what the transformation does for the song. It still starts out kind of slow, but then, as the chorus nears its end and we approach the bridge, a cute, light beat begins to sneak into the music and the tempo begins to pick up--then the chorus hits, and it's pure sweet joy--just cheery fun. It's another of those cases where the remix tweaks everything about the song to make it exactly what I woud've wanted it to be. It would be an easy song to pick on, but why bother? It's there for the people who want it, and easily ignored if you don't. Plus, give me a dance beat under anything, and I'm usually happy.
To buy Fredrik Kempe's second album, Bohéme, go here (physical).
Next up: Melodifestivalen?
5 comments:
Fredrik's two albums are the most underrated material in modern pop. So sad he's not recording new songs himself anymore. Well, being a hit composer is always better than a not well recognized singer. Even with such a great voice like Kempe has.
Not to be stereotypical or judgemental -- because we know I could never fall under that category, luvs -- but Fredrik looks like he's contracted a nasty case of gayface.
Speaking of Idols, PG, how much longer until you start raving (drooling?) over David Archuleta? :)
It is such a shame--I was listening to his albums while writing this up and thinking that I really should listen to them more often. You're right, though I wish he could be both a hit composer and a well recognized singer...
You, D'luv? Never! Though my online spell checker is judging your spelling and telling me it should be "judgmental." Is that really wrong?
I deliberately avoided the audition rounds this year, and I can't watch it live, so I haven't caught up on the Hollywood rounds yet (I think those started this week?)--I just looked him up on the official site and, though I haven't heard him sing yet, 17?! Nah, I don't do 17 ;) I'll have to go YouTube a performance from him.
Your spellchecker is rong!!
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