In praise of Tove Lo

If anyone deserves to become an all-conquering, chart-smashing, globe-straddling, supersonic streak of lightning in 2014, it is Tove Lo. She is a 25-year-old pop singer from (where else?) Sweden, who is literally named after a cat. This cat:

To explain: The Swedish word for a Lynx is "Lo". A young Tove Nillson (for that is our heroine's true identity) fell in love with a Lynx in a Swedish zoo when she was three. As a result, her godmother started calling her Tove Lo. And the rest, as they say, is growing up to be a powerful and mature songwriter.

Tove penned her first song, "People Think I Am Crazy", when she was just 10. And, aside from an ill-fated spell in a rock band called Tremblebee (!) her music continues to be a Lena Dunham script-full of bad decisions, bad boyfriends and bad habits. Which is basically what pop music is all about, isn't it?

But if you need any further proof that Tove Lo is amazing, here are three proofs.






If you ever read the "get info" tab on iTunes, you'll know that Tove Lo wrote the first two songs. The last one, her solo single Out Of Mind, was described as "a proper 'star is born' moment" by big chief pop blog Popjustice when it came out late last year. And they weren't wrong: Melancholy, visceral, and anthemic, Out Of Mind was a calling card the size of your front door.

The song features on Tove Lo's Truth Serum EP, which comes out worldwide on Monday. The other tracks include the narcotics-vs-oxytocin themed Habits ("I gotta stay high all the time to keep you off my mind") and Not On Drugs ("I'm not on drugs, I'm just in love").

The latter, which popped up online this morning, is a whole bathtub full of brilliant, and immediately recognisable as a massive hit single. I know this sounds like over-excitable hyperbole from an idiot blogger but, for once, it's justified. Have a listen:


If this all leaves you very excited about Tove Lo (and it should) here's a long but informative interview on Popjustice and a link to her bilingual Twitter account. Fan va kul det var!!

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Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (extended version)

Katy Perry has been putting out teaser clips to her Last Friday Night (TGIF) video for several weeks now.

So, before the premiere, we already knew most of the surprises: Mrs Brand stars as her nerdy 13-year-old alter-ego Kathy Beth Terry. She ends up at a fluorescent 80s house party hosted by living, breathing internet meme Rebecca Black. And the guests include Corey Feldman, Artie from Glee and Kenny G.

Yes, that Kenny G.

The video leaked on Saturday, but the low-quality, out-of-sync rip ruined all the madcap mayhem of the Risky Business / John Hughes-inspired romp.

Katy has had the last laugh, however, because she was holding back a vastly superior, extended 8-minute cut of the video. And so we get more gaffa tape, more vomit, a momentary wardrobe malfunction - and more footage of Hanson.

Yes, that Hanson.

Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Extended


Video: 9/10
Song: 5/10

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