Hej vänner, hola todos, hello all you dudes & dudettes! First of all huge thanks to all of you that keeps supporting us, listening to our tracks, following us. Most of all thanks for all the kind words and reviews of our double vinyl album “Black Silhouettes” (or two albums Black Silhouettes & Nuclear Ghosts). Check out these links to listen, download or buy the double vinyl. Please also give us your thoughts about the songs, favorite track, sound…?
Huge thanks to Tinnitist / Darryl Sterdan, “Black Silhouettes – The Nuclear Ghosts” is one of the “Albums of the week”. “The Swedish indie veterans double down with an epic batch of post-punk pop.” “They are the last standing band from the Swedish pop-wave of the early ’90s — and they are constantly developing. The indie veterans just released their 10th album, offering a mix of lo-fi indie-grooves, straightforward indie-pop and melodic post-punk energy, with nuclear stories from our childhood, long-lost love and reflections about these strange times we live in.”
“Nuclear Ghosts”! Nu släpper vi skiva igen! Time for a new album again! ¡Ahora volvemos a publicar el disco! Release day for part 2 of “Black Silhouttes” the double vinyl album, a new ten song digital album called “Black Silhouettes – The Nuclear Ghosts”, here you will also find the brand new single “Woke Up This Morning”. Link to Nuclear Ghosts on Spoitfy: https://open.spotify.com/album/1tIflpYUQ5hzLEts8dFTw9?si=vp9SyqgYSMCDrOy0ArhJiA&dl_branch=1
Wohooo, great news! Our song “Electric” is on the “August 2021 mixtape” by the U.S. (Austin, TX) music blogger called “Kid With A Vinyl”, check out the awesome mixtape here at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kidwithavinyl
”Don’t Say That True Love Waits For Everyone”, first written on acoustic guitar and vocals, later recorded at our H.Q. during a magic session, dressed in synthesizers, live drums transformed into a static beat, backbeat acoustic guitars and epic dreamy background vocals. This song got that feel of a lost song from the Bowie Berlin era mixed with that French touch a la Air. A great song working with, taken from our upcoming album The Nuclear Ghosts (out later in August).
Huge thanks to Last Day Deaf for including “Electric” on “Indie Seduction episode 89”.Indie seduction will feature 10 cool indie (pop, rock, electro, psych…) songs, that every indie fan should discover asap. Check out these other great artists as well!!! EPISODE 88: THE PARTICIPANTS: A Days Wait – Canada Mo Klé – Switzerland Sun Atoms – United States Sugarloaf Beach – Brazil Glossy Clouds – France Dutch Criminal Record – United Kingdom Panaviscope – Switzerland The Confusions – Sweden THE ACCENTS – Canada Gim Kordon – Finland
THE CONFUSIONS: “Black Silhouettes” (2021 -MASSPRODUKTION), Sweden´s new Musical masterpiece. By Fernando Rivera Rodríguez, 04/07/2021.
There are many bands and artists that started their careers very early, maybe some decades ago, and they continue nonstop to surprise us releasing new albums with a different scheme according to the new technologies of nowadays inside the Indie Music Scene. It´s pleasant to see they keep their original style and essence to offer new, contemporary and fresh sounds like any new band born in 2021. Most of the times they are classic bands or solo-artists very-well known with a lot of skills to create amazing Music and their influence remains intact. Some of them are DEPECHE MODE, U2, JAMES, DURAN DURAN, PET SHOP BOYS, THE NATIONAL, WEEZER, MOUSE ON MARS, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, MORRISSEY, BJÖRK, BECK, etc. On the other hand, we have bands that born in the 80s and 90s and they were on hiatus to come back again after more than ten or twenty years!.I am very grateful that seven years ago I was able to write a first article about the amazing Swedish band THE CONFUSIONS in the great Peruvian website Subte Rock. This band is part of the first group of bands with an incessant activity doing awesome Music from 1993 to date, almost 30 years!. At that time I did an extensive review of the history of the band and their exceptional fourth album “Trampoline” (2002).Now I´m very proud to make another review of THE CONFUSIONS presenting their brand new album entitled “Black Silhouettes” (2021 – MASSKPRODUKTION) celebrating their tenth release as a double LP with twenty new songs of more than eighty minutes!…A big delight for long-time fans of the band, lovers of great Indie Music and for those who want to listen New Music as well.
THE CONFUSIONS are a four-piece band coming from the city of Sundsvall, Sweden with the ability to compose outstanding and very-well crafted songs capturing a deep sensibility and an original taste like few bands. Their birth took place in the middle of theAlternative 90s era, having this style as its main influence, but, album after album, they were differentiating themselves from other groups to cultivate their own and well-defined style until today.They blend in an amazing way many styles and genres like Indie-Rock, Psychedelia, Post-Punk, Krautrock, Noise-Rock, Folk Music, Space-Rock, Experimental Music, Electronica, New-Wave, 90s Alternative, Power-Pop, etc. As we can see there´s a varied, vast and rich palette of soundscapes and details in every album released with a modern and sophisticated touch. Also the wonderful voice of MIKAEL ANDERSSON-KNUT, the frontman, gives a new dimension to the Music.The current members of The Confusions are Mikael Andersson-Knut, on vocals, guitars and programming, ZARAH ANDERSSON-KNUT, on vocals, piano, organs and synths, Magnus Thorsell, on bass and finally Mattias Löfström on drums and percussion. I wanna mention some groups and artists that have influenced them: THE STONE ROSES, THE JESUS & THE MARY CHAIN, KRAFTWERK, WIRE, JOY DIVISION, DAVID BOWIE, FELT, OMD, PULP, TEENAGE FANCLUB, SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, THE WANNADIES, etc.
“Being Young” (1995) was their debut album with an Alternative and Power-Pop style followed by the Psychedelic “Everyone´s Invited” (1997) and the Folky “Six-O-Seven” (1998). The last two albums were produced by PETER SVENSON from THE CARDIGANS. A new adventure began with “Trampoline” (2002), an excellent album which defined their innovative sound with a lot of attention in Europe thanks to the magnificent “The Pilot” single.In 2006 the evolution continues with the release of the album “5 A.M.”, a fantastic and loud record with many Noise-Rock and experiments. Then “It Sure Looks Like the Confusions But It Sounds More Acoustic” (2007) showed another side of the band performing acoustic versions of their previous efforts.The double album “The Story Behind The Story” (2008) represents THE CONFUSIONS masterpiece with almost 70 minutes of great Music. It´s an Avant-Garde and Concept album with many Experimentation and sonic details. We can find little fragmentsas connections between songs too…so amazing and very enjoyable!.In the following years appeared the great album “A Permanent Marker” (2010) showing us once again the power of their style with an introspective and Dark feeling. Later they launched “The Confusions” (2014), their eponymous album where they offer a new point of view to bring a more Indie-Rock vibe full of optimistic and nostalgic melodies reminding me the first albums.
It´s very pleasant to know that, after seven years, THE CONFUSIONS has returned to the Indie Musical World with “Black Silouhettes”(2021 – Massproduktion), their tenth and latest record released as a double LP. Due to the format and the twenty songs included in this brand new album makes me remember their magnum opus “The Story Behind The Story” (2008). And so it is. The new album is a majestic work and a glorious comeback to their best albums becoming a new masterpiece!. The main theme of the LP is the lovely “Black Silhouettes” which I will describe later. I want to make an overview of the other songs that compose the album because describing each of them would be too long as it´s a double LP.The band has conceived LP ONE including the most recent songs and LP TWO as the singles they composed between 2018 and 2019 adding new themes. Definitely this double LP is a brand new album where the songs have been carefully selected to create a single concept and a world of their own.
LP ONE: I will join themes alike in style to bring you a better idea so you can have an opinion of yourselves. “Arrow”, “Close Your Eyes” and “Tangerine Sky” are enchanting and beautiful ballads with emotive and deep choruses that will bring much hope and joy to the listeners. Also, we can feel Dreamy soundscapes in a sea of sweetness…incredible tunes for sure!.The other side of the coin comes with “Weight Of The World”, a fast and strong Indie-Rock number and “Get Ready” that goes in the same way but full of Psychedelia. Both themes present many aggressive and powerful guitar riffs mixed with explosive sound effects…let´s Rock with these superb songs!.The next set of songs are more atmospheric with a Dark, reflective, nostalgic and an Experimental touch without leaving the synths details. These melodies are “Suburbian Ghosts”,”Waiting By The Window” and “Maybe You´re Just Another One Of A Kind” very-well interpreted by ZARAH ANDERSSON-KNUT with a Jazzy style…excellent!.Now it´s time to describe “Black Silhouettes”, the song that gives title to this incredible masterpiece and the best song of the album.It´s conceived as a tender and gorgeous ballad with a melancholic and hopeful feeling. Every second of this blasting theme is very-well elaborated with a cinematic, epic and orchestrated style so it works really great. MIKAEL ANDERSON-KNUTT, the frontman, sings with many passion and sentiment adding an extra feature.The style of “Black Silhouettes” reminds me the era of “The Story Behind The Story” (2008), their first masterpiece. Also, it has the spirit of KOLBACKEN from 2012, their parallel project with Post-Rock influences, but in a different context and time surrounded by an authentic spontaneity. I chose this tune to be part of this article because it´s very special for me and hope for you too. It could be one of the best songs of this year…simply amazing!.
LP TWO: The second album is different from the first LP with a gloomy feeling, but, as great as the previous one. The trip begins with the fantastic Indie numbers “Don´t You Fall In Love” and “Into The Twilight”, the new single. They seem outtakes from the wonderful album “Trampoline” (2002). “I´m Not Afraid” is an Electro-Dance and catchy piece with distorted vocals sung again by Zarah…stunning!.Then we find two melancholic and touchy songs: “I Wish We Could Swim Now” and “Don´t Say That True Love Waits For Everyone”. These songs shine for their talent in the composition, very-well executed!. We totally change our direction with “Sunday Mornings”, an optimistic theme for Twee-Pop fans and lovers of 60s Music…so enchanting!.The journey continues with “Long Way Down”, “Woke Up This Morning” and “Please Don´t Worry”, three songs that, in correlative order, present a Darker and Experimental mood. “Please Don´t Worry” is very original because it incorporates robotic voices like the remix of the classic NEW ORDER song “Bizarre Love Triangle”…incredible!. The last song entitled “Are You Breathing Under Water” has been chosen wisely as the closer song of this gorgeous album. It´s a Folky, romantic and tender love song…really charming!.I highly recommend the sonic proposal of the Swedish band THE CONFUSIONS, one of my favorite bands!. Have the pleasure to enjoy the single, the album and the video of “Black Silhouettes”, their tenth album and double LP… a true masterpiece!. Also explore their great discography, you will not regret it. As always, thanks so much for listening and reading my friends…stay healthy and happy fourth of July to my US friends!!!……Special thanks to my friends Mats Hammerman, owner of the great label MASSPRODUKTION, and MIKAEL ANDERSON-KNUTT!……
SPANISH (ESPAÑOL):THE CONFUSIONS: “Black Silhouettes” (2021 -MASSPRODUKTION), la nueva obra maestra Musical de Suecia.Por Fernando Rivera Rodríguez, 4 de Julio del 2021. Existen muchas bandas y artistas que comenzaron sus carreras muy temprano, tal vez hace algunas décadas, y continúan sin parar para sorprendernos lanzando nuevos discos con un esquema diferente de acuerdo a las tecnologías de hoy en día dentro de la Escena Musical Indie. Es agradable ver que mantienen su estilo y esencia original para ofrecer sonidos nuevos, contemporáneos y frescos como cualquier nueva banda nacida en el 2021.La mayoría de las veces son bandas clásicas o artistas solistas muy conocidos con muchas habilidades para crear Música asombrosa y su influencia permanece intacta. Algunos de ellos son DEPECHE MODE, U2, JAMES, DURAN DURAN, PET SHOP BOYS, THE NATIONAL, WEEZER, MOUSE ON MARS, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, MORRISSEY, BJÖRK, BECK, etc. Por otro lado tenemos bandas que nacieron en los 80 y 90 y tomaron una pausa para regresar después de más de diez o veinte años!.Estoy muy agradecido de que hace siete años pude escribir un primer artículo de la increíble banda Sueca THE CONFUSIONS en una página web Peruana llamada Subte-Rock. Esta banda es parte del primer grupo de bandas con una incesante actividad haciendo Música increíble desde 1993 hasta la fecha, casi 30 años!. En ese momento hice una extensa reseña de la historia de la banda y su genial cuarto álbum “Trampoline” (2002).
Ahora estoy muy orgulloso de hacer otra reseña de THE CONFUSIONS presentando su nuevo y gran álbum titulado “Black Silhouettes” (2021 – MASSKPRODUKTION) celebrando su décimo lanzamiento con un LP doble con veinte nuevas canciones de más de ochenta minutos!…un gran deleite para los fans de la banda de siempre, amantes de la increíble Música Indie y para aquellos que quieran escuchar Música nueva también.THE CONFUSIONS es una banda de cuatro integrantes proveniente de la ciudad de Sundsvall, Suecia con la habilidad para componer canciones muy bien elaboradas y sobresalientes capturando una profunda sensibilidad y un gusto original como pocas bandas. Su nacimiento tuvo lugar en medio de la época Alternativa de los 90 teniendo este estilo como su influencia principal, pero, álbum tras álbum, se fueron diferenciando de otros grupos para cultivar su propio y bien definido estilo hasta el día de hoy.Ellos mezclan de una excelente forma muchos estilos y géneros como el Indie-Rock, Psicodelia, Post-Punk, Krautrock, Noise-Rock, Música Folk, Space-Rock, Música Experimental, Electrónica, New-Wave, Música Alternativa de los 90s, Power-Pop, etc. Como podemos ver tenemos una variada, vasta y rica paleta de paisajes sonoros en cada álbum lanzado con un toque sofisticado y moderno. Tambien la maravillosa voz de MIKAEL ANDERSSON-KNUT, el frontman, le dá una nueva dimensión a la Música.Los miembros actuales de THE CONFUSIONS son MIKAEL ANDERSSON-KNUT, en voz, guitarras y programación, ZARAH ANDERSSON-KNUT, en voz, piano, órganos y teclados, MAGNUS THORSELL, en el bajo y finalmente MATTIAS LÖFSTRÖM en batería y percusión. Quiero mencionar algunos grupos y artistas que los han influenciado: THE STONE ROSES, THE JESUS & THE MARY CHAIN, KRAFTWERK, WIRE, JOY DIVISION, DAVID BOWIE, FELT, OMD, PULP, TEENAGE FANCLUB, SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, THE WANNADIES, etc.
“Being Young” (1995) fue su álbum debut con un estilo Alternativo y Power-Pop seguido por el Psicodélico “Everyone´s Invited” (1997) y el Folky “Six-O-Seven” (1998). Los dos últimos álbums fueron producidos por PETER SVENSON de THE CARDIGANS. Una nueva aventura comenzó con “Trampoline” (2002), un excelente disco que definió su sonido innovador con mucha aceptación en Europa gracias al magnífico single “The Pilot”.En el 2006 la evolución continúa con el lanzamiento del álbum “5 A.M.”, un fantástico e intenso álbum con mucho Noise-Rock yexperimentos. Luego “It Sure Looks Like the Confusions But It Sounds More Acoustic” (2007) mostró otro lado de la bandapresentando versiones acústicas de sus trabajos anteriores.El álbum doble “The Story Behind The Story” (2008) representa la obra maestra de THE CONFUSIONS con casi 70 minutos de buena Música. Es un disco Vanguardista y Conceptual con mucha experimentación y detalles sonoros. Podemos encontrar pequeños fragmentos como conexiones entre canciones también…sorprendente y excitante!.En los años siguientes apareció el gran álbum “A Permanent Marker” (2010) mostrándonos una vez más el poder de su estilo con un sentimiento introspectivo y oscuro. Posteriormente lanzaron “The Confusions” (2014), su álbum homónimo en donde ofrecen un nuevo punto de vista lleno de Indie-Rock y optimistas y nostálgicas melodías que me recuerdan a los primeros discos.Es muy grato saber que, después de siete años, THE CONFUSIONS ha vuelto al Mundo Musical Indie con “Black Silouhettes” (2021 – MASSPRODUKTION), su décimo y último disco lanzado como un LP doble. Debido al formato y a las veinte canciones incluidas en este nuevo disco me recuerdan a su obra magna “The Story Behind The Story” (2008). Y así es. El nuevo álbum es un trabajo majestuoso y un glorioso regreso a sus mejores discos convirtiéndose en una nueva obra maestra!.La canción principal del LP es la fabulosa “Black Silhouettes”, la cual describiré más adelante. Quiero hacer un resumen general delas otras canciones que componen el álbum porque describir cada una de ellas sería demasiado largo por ser un LP doble.La banda ha concebido el primer LP incluyendo las canciones más recientes y el segundo LP con los sencillos que compusieron entre el 2018 y el 2019 añadiendo nuevos temas. Definitivamente este doble LP es un nuevo disco en donde las canciones han sido cuidadosamente seleccionadas para crear un concepto único y un mundo propio.PRIMER LP:Juntaré temas parecidos en estilo para darles una mejor idea y así puedan tener una propia opinión ustedes mismos. “Arrow”, “Close Your Eyes” and “Tangerine Sky” son encantadoras y hermosas baladas con emotivos y profundos coros que traerán mucha esperanza y alegría a los oyentes. También podemos sentir paisajes sonoros ensoñadores en un mar de dulzura…melodías increíbles de seguro!.La otra cara de la moneda viene con “Weight Of The World”, un número Indie-Rock acelerado y fuerte y “Get Ready” que va en el mismo camino pero lleno de Psicodelia. Ambos temas presentan muchos riffs de guitarras agresivas y poderosas mezclados con efectos de sonidos explosivos…a rockear con estas magníficas canciones!.El siguiente conjunto de canciones es más atmosférico con un toque oscuro, reflexivo, nostálgico y Experimental sin dejar de ladolos efectos de sintetizadores. Estas melodías son “Suburbian Ghosts”,”Waiting By The Window” y “Maybe You´re Just Another One Of A Kind” muy bien interpretada por ZARAH ANDERSSON-KNUT con un estilo Jazzy…excelente!.Ahora es el momento de describir “Black Silhouettes”, la cancion que dá título a esta increíble obra maestra y la mejor canción del álbum. Está concebida como una tierna y hermosa balada con un sentimiento melancólico y esperanzador. Cada segundo de este explosivo tema está muy elaborado con un estilo cinemático, épico y orquestado por lo que funciona realmente bien. MIKAEL ANDERSON-KNUTT, el frontman, canta con mucha pasión y sentimiento agregando una característica adicional.El estilo de “Black Silhouettes” me recuerda la era de “The Story Behind The Story” (2008), su primera obra maestra. También tiene el espíritu de KOLBACKEN del 2012, su proyecto paralelo con influencias Post-Rock pero en un contexto y tiempo diferente rodeado de una auténtica espontaneidad. Elegí esta melodía para ser parte de este artículo porque es muy especial para mí y espero que para ustedes también. Podría ser una de los las mejores canciones de este año…simplemente asombrosa!.
Fernandos copy of “Black Silhouettes”
SEGUNDO LP: El segundo álbum es diferente al primer LP con un toque más sombrío pero tan genial como el anterior. El viaje comienza con los fantásticos números Indie “Don´t You Fall In Love” y “Into The Twilight”, el nuevo single. Parecen canciones descartadas del maravilloso álbum “Trampoline” (2002). “I´m Not Afraid” es una pieza Electro-Dance y pegadiza con voces distorsionadas cantadas de nuevo por Zarah…impresionante!. Luego nos encontramos con dos melancólicas y delicadas canciones: “I Wish We Could Swim Now” y “Don´t Say That True Love Waits For Everyone”. Estas canciones brillan por su talento en la composición, muy bien ejecutadas!. Cambiamos totalmente de dirección con “Sunday Mornings”, un tema optimista para los fans del Twee-Pop y los amantes de la Música de los 60s…tan encantadora!. El viaje continúa con “Long Way Down”, “Woke Up This Morning” y “Please Don´t Worry”, tres canciones que, en orden correlativo, presentan un estado de ánimo más oscuro y Experimental.”Please Don´t Worry” es muy original porque incorpora voces robóticas como el remix de la clásica canción de NEW ORDER “Bizarre Love Triangle”…increíble!. La última canción titulada “Are You Breathing Under Water” ha sido elegida sabiamente como la canción de cierre de este magnífico álbum. Es un tema Folky, romántico y tierno…realmente cautivador!.Recomiendo bastante la nueva propuesta sónica de la banda Sueca THE CONFUSIONS, una de mis bandas favoritas!.
Tengan el placer de disfrutar el single, el álbum y el video de “Black Silhouettes”, su décimo álbum y doble LP…una verdadera obra maestra!. También exploren su gran discografía, no se arrepentirán. Como siempre muchas gracias por leer y escuchar mis amigos…cuídense mucho,y Feliz Cuatro de Julio para mis amigos de USA!!……Agradecimientos especiales a mis amigos MATS HAMMERMAN, dueño del gran sello discográfico MASSPRODUKTION y a MIKAEL ANDERSSON-KNUT!……
Hej alla! Hola Todos! Happy to say that our song “Into The Twilight” is on air in Spain on our favorite program Plástico Elásticowith host Pacopepe Gil, muchas gracias, un abrazo grande! Check out this amazing line up of artists and bands!¡HOLA MUNDO!
Ya está disponible el programa 3.941 de Plástico Elástico. Disfruta con nuestros estrenos y novedades y magníficas canciones. No te lo pierdas!!!Hi friends! Just available Plastico Elastico Radio Show with a handful of premieres, news and fantastic songs. Enjoy it!
The Grip Weeds “You´re So Good To Me” The Embrooks “It´s Time You Realised” The Hannah Barberas “Party From Hell” Randells “Kicks” shego “Oh Boi” TUFFENCE MERINGUE “Bucko” Geoff Palmer “Many More Drugs” Pale Lips “Don´t Take Your Switchblade To New York” The Sorels “She´s In The Gang” JENNY “Trajinero” HEARTS APART “It´s Too Late” NEON BONE “Wanted You To Know” Declan Welsh & The Decadent West “Parisian Friends” The Confusions “Into The Twilight”
“Essentially, the song is about getting to know someone and their past and has a slightly wistful feel to it, which is captured by the lyrics: ‘Who did you kiss when you were 15? What was her name or was it a he? What kind of friends did you hang out with and what did you do when you were out of school? What did they tell you? What did they make you become?”
“We’ve grown to like it very much, it’s very much a post punk song. Lyrically, it’s also about where we are going, everyone is a stranger these days.”
This is the music video of title track ”Black Silhouettes” from the double vinyl album with @The Confusions Official Filmed on location in Skönsberg, Sundsvall, Sweden, in May 2021.
Video by Mike Fratello Filmed on Harinezumi 2 camera (black & white mode) and Canon M-50 Music mastered by Daniel Mikaelsson, Nevo Mastering Song out on Massproduktion, distributed by Playground Music, Music & Words (Benelux) Link to song on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6nZxrt… Link to album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3lnpAI…
…Special thanks to my friends 
