The Sounds

The Sounds’ debut, Living In America, arrived in 2003 behind a surging wave of hype, and the Swedish band proved itself worthy of the accolades. The praise was largely due to the unshakable infectiousness of its songs, which combine the jubilant keyboard-driven pop of ’80s new-wave (think Nena or Kim Wilde) with slightly lo-tech, aggressive, guitar-based arrangements. 2006’sDying To Say This To You didn’t stray far from the first album’s template, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. With 2009’s Crossing The Rubicon, the band has hit a more mature stride, leaning on that same infectious formula while venturing into more sophisticated themes and technicality. The Sounds’ fourth full-length, Something To Die For, was released in March.

Updated 10/26/2011