Molly Nilsson - "I Hope You Die"

"I know you think I'm morbid when I say / I hope you die by my side / The two of us at the exact same time."

The lyric above is from Stockholm artist Molly Nilsson's song "I Hope You Die," and while it may read like melodramatic Rome and Juliet-inspired high school scribblings, over washes of synthesizers, punches of keyboard, and a hip-loosening snap of snare, it becomes a Cure-quality fix of potent goth-styled pop music: introspective, occasionally lyrically dreary, and an absolute blast to pump over the stereo. Nilsson's atmospheric and enveloping take on post-punk era goth contains all the classic elements of success—a beautiful voice, big melodic hooks, sing-along choruses—but there's also a bit of an unsettled edge and bite to Nilsson. Whether it's the bedroom-styled intimate production or her raw and emotive vocals, Nilsson's songs race past the nostalgic look in the rearview mirror and towards something truly original and special.

History, Nilsson's fourth album, is out now on her own Dark Skies Association imprint.

Molly Nilsson - "I Hope You Die" (from History)

Interview: Telekinesis's Michael Lerner

Everybody Taste recently chatted with Seattle musician Michael Benjamin Lerner, who under the nome de plume Telekinesis, released his second full-length album today—the dark and bass-heavy 12 Desperate Straight Lines. We chatted about recording with Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla, Lerner's preference for analog tape, his adoration of the band Flin Flon, and the album's excellent grimy and fuzzy bass guitar.

I understand you wrote the majority of 12 Desperate Straight Lines during the winter in Berlin on a 9 to 5 routine. Why Germany? And why the schedule? Were you just determined to start generating new material?

Yes! True. I was going through a lot of stuff in my personal life (breakup, health issues), and I had always dreamed of picking up and going to a place that is foreign and uncomfortable to write music. Berlin seemed to be like the best choice purely because I knew some people there to hook up an apartment, and a practice space. I mean, it turned out to be the perfect situation. I got a killer room in an apartment in an amazing location, and rented a rehearsal space that had a drum kit and a guitar amp and a bass amp in it. It was just so perfect. And it was amazing and cold and snowy and I got to explore and hang out with my friends. I feel completely lucky to have had that experience. I wrote a lot of songs that I am very proud of there. Like "50 Ways," "I Cannot Love You" and "Car Crash." It was fun to follow in the footsteps of Lou Reed, David Bowie and Depeche Mode.

Cheers: Friday Dance Jams

Firstly, go download all of Everybody Taste's Halloween picks. Then, if you like to dance (and you do), throw these songs on a playlist with them and have a silly costumed weekend. Cheers.

Hooray For Earth vs Twin Shadow - "A Place We Like"
Crystal Castles Ft. Robert Smith - "Not In Love"
Postelles - "White Night"

Throw Me The Statue - "Waving At The Shore"

Like the Cure's "Close To Me" before it, Throw Me The Statue's "Waving At The Shore" is a blissfully uptempo and catchy track based around a simple keyboard motif. And like much of the Cure's catalogue, that expertly delivered simplicity is destined to make it a classic.

Throw Me The Statue - "Waving At The Shore" (from Creaturesque)

Look Out For: The Soft Pack

The Soft Pack—the band formerly known as the Muslims—is a mash of Replacements-style brash and smarts with the space and minimalism of the Velvet Underground. The San Diego quintet isn’t out to reinvent the wheel, but its battered drum kit, fervently plucked bass and guitar, and singer Matt Lamkin’s no frills punk rock voice together make it spin. 

The band, which has already made international waves in the blogosphere, is sure to grab even more ears when it releases its first full-length album this summer. In the meantime, the Soft Pack is touring the States and Europe with pop acts the Friendly Fires and White Lies.

Click here for dates, including a 3/24 stop in DC. 

Here's one of the band's best originals and two classy covers:

The Soft Pack - Bright Side

The Soft Pack - Red Headed Girl (Tijuana Panthers)

The Soft Pack - Grinding Halt (The Cure)

Graphic ⓒ Matt Carr.