I Break Horses Download Anyone?

Bella Union, being as generous as they are, have released yet another download from Hearts, the debut LP from I Break Horses. "Winter Beats" is a careful crescendo that intensifies as the track progresses, but with that said, the song never burns too fierce. With this control the duo create a large open musical space that allows Maria Lindén's vocals to take centre stage; quite the opposite to the previously posted track "Hearts".

Their music is far from lacking interesting subtle melodies and complex musical textures; Hearts is definitely at the top of my shopping list. Roll on August 15th!

Have a listen. You can download the track here.

I Break Horses

I have noticed something recently. I have a thing for Swedish musical duos. First Aid Kit are two beautiful sisters from Stockholm who write the most catchy acoustic folk-pop songs. They perform with a sort of gentle demure, but with that said they can take hold and sooth even the rowdiest festival audiences. They are awesome.

Anyone who has heard of the Sweedish duo The Knife, love The Knife. Even if electronica isn't your thing, you still can't help but love The Knife. I think it's some sort of innate quality (and yes, it is a quality) that we all share. At this point it's worth noting, if you haven't heard of The Knife, or have yet to hear their music, go forth with god-speed and acquire, by any means necessary, their 2006 album Silent Shout.

The list goes on.

Anyway, I digress. Today I heard I Break Horses' Hearts for the first time. And yes, you've got it, they are yet another Sweeish duo! Various music sites and blogs on the net are saying that the duo sound like Slowdive and Jesus & Mary Chain. Perhaps. But the first thing that came to my mind was the Toronto based post-rock veterans Do Make Say Think. The loud crashy percussive noises, mixed with those gentle but spacey guitar melodies, offset with "musical white noise" (if such a thing even exists). The vocals sit low in the mix and are rather subdued, yet it leaves us thirsty for more. At the end when the noises stop and only the keyboards are left, it leaves us with a somewhat reflective, if almost poignant vibe. A nice bookend to the track.

Their debut LP Hearts is out on the 15th of August on Bella Union.