Le Kid - America

"Baby just dry your eyes"

This has been out for a few weeks now and a number of bloggers have written about it, but just in case you haven't heard this single yet, I thought I'd draw your attention to it. As well as being highly regarded songwriters and producers in the Swedish pop music scene, Le Kid are a fantastic band in their own right (think Sweden's answer to Alphabeat) that are going to release what's sure to be one of the best pop albums of the summer. This is their new single and may very well be their best. America is a lush, soaring melodic song perched halfway between ballad and dance track. It's about as pop as pop gets, and I mean that in the best of ways. There's no reliance on gimmicky trends when it comes to production (which is exactly why this would never be successful in the States). It's down to superb lyrics and--most importantly--a surging, emotional hook. As the song builds, it really explodes into something quite epic. These guys need to stop writing about America and come over here to write for some of our pop stars. We could certainly use them!

Le Kid - America by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Le Kid - Mr. Brightside

"Destiny is calling me"

I'm still catching up with some of the post-Christmas tracks I've wanted to blog about. And, even though this has been covered elsewhere, it's still on my to-post list because I wanna make sure you guys don't miss it. Who would have thought the Killers' Mr. Brightside needed to be covered as an Abba-esque, Europop dance number? Well, it needed to be, and Le Kid are the perfect group to do it. They've been sneaking up on the pop landscape for the past year or so, releasing a pair of brilliant singles as tasters of what's yet to come. I predict that they'll break out after their participation in this year's Melodifestivalen, but for now they're setting the stage and gaining fans. This fun freebie definitely accomplishes both goals. A synth-laden bubblegum sweet confection of a song, they've taken a great track and turned it on its head. It could easily be too saccharine (and for some, it might), but it walks the line perfectly and ends up being pretty epic.

Le Kid - Mr. Brightside by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Download the song for free here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Top 50 Singles of 2010: 50-46

50. Lady Gaga & Beyonce - Telephone



Two of the biggest popstars on the planet and an epic, long form video. It was a deliriously entertaining way to start the new year.

49. Elin Lanto - Funeral



An anthem if there ever was one. She set the chorus to “soaring” and never let up after that.

48. Mike Posner - Cooler Than Me



A deserved hit for its sleek electro shuffle and endearingly catchy hook. One of 2010’s best one hit wonders.

47. Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano



The year’s best novelty dance tune, it’s as stupid as it is catchy. Infuriatingly catchy, as a matter of fact…

46. Alphabeat - DJ (I Should Be Dancing/Le Kid - We Should Go Home Together




I can’t separate the two because the bands are so similar. Both deserved wider success than they got this year. Two of the happiest songs of 2010.

Le Kid - We Should Go Home Together

"I can see it in your eyes"

This is the jolliest single of 2010. In fact, it's probably the jolliest single of its ilk since Alphabeat released the similar-sounding Fascination. Le Kid have been working on their bouncy brand of pop in Sweden for awhile now, and although this isn't their first official single, it's the one that I hope will break them big. Some people will groan about the bubblegum campiness here, but I just don't see how you can resist it. Not fully. From the opening drumbeat to the soaring vocals in the chorus, this is a solid gold hit, whether or not it actually charts. Having heard some of the band's other songs, I can say that they're consistently great. They're all bright colors and huge hooks and gallons of energy. Why aren't there more bands like this? And here's an impressive fact for you fans of Swedish pop: members of this band have produced/written for BWO, Alcazar, Agnes, Velvet and Eric Saade. If that's not enough to sell you on this band, I don't know what is!

Le Kid - We Should Go Home Together by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.