It’s been a quick rise for Swedish indie pop quartet Hater. Formed last year by friends in Malmö, the band released an EP in July with PNKSLM Recordings (the label responsible for keeping Sweden weird, learning them comparisons ranging from The Pretenders to Alvvays. They now return to PNKSLM for their full length debut, proclaimed by many blogs, to be their favorite album of 2017 so far, citing frontwoman Caroline Landahl’s “gorgeous, achingly bittersweet vocals, perpetually swaying between comforting and devastating.” An assured and consistent record, “You Tried” blends jangle with grit.
Hater was formed this spring by Caroline Landahl, Måns Leonartsson, Adam Agace and Lukas Thomasson, all musicians based in Sweden’s third biggest city Malmö, just across the strait from Copenhagen, who’d all had their share of experience in other local acts before deciding to strike out as Hater. They quickly set to recording what would become their debut EP Radius, working with Joakim Lindberg, and soon signed with PNKSLM Recordings who released the EP in early July. Taking their musical cues from the likes of Alvvays, The Pretenders, Neil Young and The Radio Dept, all led by Landahl’s gorgeous vocals, Hater soon drew a lot of attention, including praise from international music publications.
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Among those to declare themselves fans were the band’s heroes in The Radio Dept. who asked them to open for them on their first Scandinavian tour in five years. After spending the summer and early fall recording “You Tried” while touring around Sweden and making their UK debut show in London, Hater will be touring with The Radio Dept. later this year ahead of a full UK and EU tour around the album release this spring. With You Tried Hater easily establishes themselves as Sweden’s most exciting new indie act, offering up a sound that’s both instantly accessible and grows with every listen.
The Fat Angel Sings 