Are they chillwave? Are they Balearic-beat? Are they dreampop? It's always been difficult to categorise Swedish enigmas jj and it's not only their music that's unconventional. Their whole approach is refreshingly obtuse and individual, as if they don't really understand the meaning of the word "rules". So their new 'High Summer' EP is, unsurprisingly, a surprise release to coincide with the summer solstice, and as is commonplace with this pair, the EP is yours for the meagre price of a computer and some internet access. And you have those already, because you're reading this.
Musically they're still inhabiting their own world, sounding something like a Mediterranean version of The xx remixing Beach House. The songs are minimalist yet rich and give off the warm radiance of sunlight with each lazy beat and hazey sample. '10' even manages to borrow lyrics from 'I Think We're Alone Now' by Tiffany and not sound ironic. Elin Kastlander's voice is as adorable as ever and the crisp acoustic guitars are offset with a gentle background glow. As always jj's music is overflowing with youthfulness and the sense of an endless future disappearing over the horizon. They may sound nonchalant and like they don't give a damn about anything, but there must be some effort put in to sounding this effortlessly, casually fantastic, surely?
Free download: 'High Summer EP'
jj's website
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