Instinct
Singer Malin Dahlström and instrumentalist Gustaf Karlöf create a somewhat mystifying (and magical) blend of arena-worthy dance pop and compelling, edgy electronic music. It\'s a gorgeous, shimmering mix that can both elate and make one retreat inward; it\'s a heady elixir of Kate Bush, Stevie Nicks, and fellow Swedes The Knife. A random sampling of this stunning debut will reveal stratosphere-reaching vocals, clattering and hammering percussion, echoes of decades-old Euro-pop, and melodies that hold for days. Go for \"The Fox\" first; the verses are somewhat haunting, with tremeloed wisps of what sounds like cello and a martial yet sensual rhythm driving Dahlström\'s pleading vocals. Veering from pop diva tunes (\"Love to the Test,\" \"Somebody\") to arty, expressive constructs (\"The Gentle Roar\") and mesmerizing, otherworldly baubles of pop perfection (\"Last Night,\" \"Mother Protect\"), *Instinct* could launch Niki & The Dove into orbit. They have a lot in common with Lykke Li, another Swedish purveyor of sophisticated and deeply textured pop music that even pop naysayers end up embracing.
On their long-awaited debut, the Swedish duo flits between the sound of Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, and trashy Europop, while delighting in emotional precipices and tremendous, history-making passions.
On their long-awaited debut, the Swedish duo flits between the sound of Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, and trashy Europop, while delighting in emotional precipices and tremendous, history-making passions.
Swedish electronic artists are notorious for subverting their country’s pristine musical landscape, whether it’s Bloodshy & Avant’s sinister production, The Knife’s macabre atmospheres, Robyn’s flamboyant pop, or Icona Pop’s chirpy dance tunes. With its 2011 debut EP, The Drummer, Stockholm’s Niki & The Dove joined…
Swedish electronic artists are notorious for subverting their country’s pristine musical landscape, whether it’s Bloodshy & Avant’s sinister production, The Knife’s macabre atmospheres, Robyn’s flamboyant pop, or Icona Pop’s chirpy dance tunes. With its 2011 debut EP, The Drummer, Stockholm’s Niki & The Dove joined…
Instinct commands an intense and intimate listening experience. It is an album that will be relevant and classic for years to come.
Instinct commands an intense and intimate listening experience. It is an album that will be relevant and classic for years to come.
Niki & The Dove pose a strong argument for living life as fantastically as possible.
Niki & The Dove pose a strong argument for living life as fantastically as possible.
<p>This engrossing debut, full of big drums and vocal abandon, should be a big hit, says <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>. But have we heard too much of it already?</p>
<p>This engrossing debut, full of big drums and vocal abandon, should be a big hit, says <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>. But have we heard too much of it already?</p>
While Niki and the Dove may share the new wave-inspired arrangements of the Knife’s early work, they trade that group’s macabre narratives for Stevie Nicks-style mysticism.
While Niki and the Dove may share the new wave-inspired arrangements of the Knife’s early work, they trade that group’s macabre narratives for Stevie Nicks-style mysticism.
The debut album from this Swedish duo goes all in for the ethereal vocals and layered vocals, and very good it is too, writes <strong>Rebecca Nicholson</strong>
The debut album from this Swedish duo goes all in for the ethereal vocals and layered vocals, and very good it is too, writes <strong>Rebecca Nicholson</strong>