STRIP MUSIC DESPERATION SINGLE PLAYGROUND RELEASE: APRIL 13, 2004 REVIEW: JULY 5, 2004

OK. If you haven’t longed for new music by Yvonne – the Swedish cousins of Joy Division – you might not jump high when hearing that Strip Music sounds something like said black clad group. But if you lend your ear to this little masterpiece of post punkish keyboard laden pop with shrieking guitars, you might want to jump anyway. This is a really good song, and even though the only members remaining from Yvonne in this new sextet is tall vocalist Henric de la Cour and keyboardist Christian Berg (ex-April Tears), the sound is pretty much the same.
The same, that is, as in a bit simpler, a bit more matter of fact and with a bit more pop-sensibility. Henric de la Cour even sings better than he did in Yvonne. This is more like Yvonne should have sounded than a clone of Yvonne’s music.
Sadly, the B-side "Yeah, Right" on this debut single sounds something like a weaker track from Yvonne’s "True Love". But if you like "Desperation" you won’t be disappointed with the debut album by Strip Music, due out in September. The band is hard at work in the studio at the moment, and having seen them live, I can promise it is a record worth waiting for.
But until then – here’s enough catchy, majestic and melodic "Desperation" to last you the whole summer.

KALLE MALMSTEDT