:: El Perro Del Mar - Love Is Not Pop

El Perro Del Mar

Swedish pop has had a lot to live up to ever since ABBA bowed out of the music scene, not to mention all the ABBA-related jokes it’s had to live down. Luckily, El Perro Del Mar (don’t let the name fool you, she really is Swedish) has provided a saving grace for Swedish pop in the form of her new album, Love Is Not Pop. To be perfectly honest El Perro Del Mar’s (aka Sarah Assbring’s) sound is hardly pop at all but rather a distinctly mellow and romantic blend of melancholic vocals and sweet instrumentals. ‘L is for Love’ captivates you with its warmth and haunting emotions. Desperate lyrics sweep you up, while throbbing drum and piano rifts draw you in and create an almost unsettling feeling similar to the climax in an old-school horror film. The spellbinding vocals continue in ‘Change of Heart’. Acoustic guitar-heavy and groovy, ‘Change of Heart’ is a beautiful showcase of Assbring’s ability to wind tales of heartache, which resonate with even the most inexperienced lover. Even the cover of Lou Reed’s ‘Heavenly Arms’ gets a hit of nostalgia and melancholy courtesy of Assbring’s tender voice. It’s impossible to fault Love Is Not Pop. There is just something incredibly seductive about the album’s evocative sound and Assbring’s unforgettably tender yet at the same time sharp vocals. Love Is Not Pop lulls you into a contented daze from the moment opening track ‘Gotta Get Smart’ starts up. Like a fine mist, this daze truly does not lift until the very last notes of ‘A Better Love’ ends and Assbring’s heartbreakingly solemn voice fades. It is simply an album that cannot be missed, no matter what music you’re in to.