El Perro del Mar
Country of origin:
Sweden
Type of music generally:
Combination pop, sadcore, and twee
Status:
Most recent release, We Are History (ep, 2018); most recent full-length release, KoKoro (2016)
See also:
El Perro del Mar's siteWikipedia's entry on El Perro del Mar
Comparisons:
Hard to say, but names that have been mentioned include Camera Obscura, Marissa Nadler, Goldfrapp, Sol Seppy, a minimalist Phil Spector, a melodic Jane Birkin, and a mix of Francoise Hardy and France Gall
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional cover
General comments:
El Perro del Mar is so unique. Her first album reminds me of Camera Obscura—maybe more the music than her vocals. it has that retro, feel-good vibe to it. Her second album may have shades of Marissa Nadler—kinda spooky and haunting. (lasherboy@gmail.com)charming pop (christina_skov@hotmail.com)
Pitchfork magazine says El Perro del Mar's music "can sound at once classic, festive, and hopelessly depressed," which is a far better description that any I could come up with. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Recommended first album:
Any
Recordings:
- Baby, I've been in a bad place (cdr-ep 2004)
- I've got good news (CDR-EP, 2004)
- Holiday Special (CDR-EP, 2004)
- What's new? El Perro del Mar EP (2004)
- Look! It's El Perro del Mar! (compilation, 2005)
- God Knows (You Gotta Give to Get) EP (2006)
- El Perro del Mar (2006; deluxe edition, 2015)
- From the Valley to the Stars (2008)
- Love Is Not Pop (2009)
- Pale Fire (2012)
- KoKoro (2016)
- We Are History (ep, 2018)
El Perro del Mar
Release info:
2006—Hybris—CG0039
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Sarah Assbring—vocals, instruments
Guest artists:
The Same Girl Group—vocals
Alexander Nilsson—saxophone (2, 10)
Nicolas Janco—drums, tambourine (6, 9)
Produced by:
Sarah Assbring
Comments:
The first time I listened to this album, I thought "Oh God, this is depressing," but I took it out again, and it wasn't as I remembered. In fact, it's very charming and catchy with a bit of a 60s girl-group sound. Not that it's all light; it's definitely got its depressing parts too (in vocals, instrumentation, and lyrics), but it's not as off-putting as on first listen. It's more a part of the unique mood she puts forth. (JoAnn Whetsell)
From the Valley to the Stars
Release info:
2008—Licking Fingers/Control Group—CGO 049
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Sarah Assbring
Guest artists:
Jesper Jarold—electric guitar, bass
Nils Törnqvist—drums
Charles Deramus—double bass
Cjörn Bohlin—oboe
Lisa Ford—French horn
Kristin Lidell—trumpet
Björn Synneby—sitar, additional vocals
Gothenburg Symphonic Choir—additional chorus
Produced by:
Sarah Assbring
Comments:
Oh, I hated this album at first. After loving her first album, with its bright doo-wop music set against very sad vocals/lyrics, this album was a bore. *yawn* HOWEVER, I gave it another shot, and am so glad I did. This one is a grower. She's exploring different musical territory, and once I accepted that, I was on board for a great ride. This is a really solid set of songs. She creates such a mood! (lasherboy@gmail.com)I found this album immediately captivating. Melancholy and heavy in the way that Julie Doiron can be, but far more intriguing than depressing. There are brighter moments too, like the catchy "Somebody's Baby." Some of it is reminiscent of Goldfrapp's Seventh Tree. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Love Is Not Pop
Release info:
2009—Control Group/TCG
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Comments:
I love pitchfork.com's description of her as the "sad-eyed Swede". The juxtaposition of her delicate, sad voice set against upbeat music is very unique. Makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. This tiny 6-song album packs a punch. (lasherboy@gmail.com)
Just as good as her full-length releases. (JoAnn Whetsell)
KoKoro
Release info:
2016—Ging Ging/The Control Group—CG0103CD
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Sarah Assbring
Guest artists:
Andreas Söderström
Johan Berthling
Mattias Bergqvist
Per Ruskträsk Johansson
Produced by:
El Perro Del Mar & Jacob Haage
Comments:
This brief album (only 34 minutes) packs a lot in. Electronic beats mix with world influences (particularly noticeable in the use of flutes and drums, and in the instrumental song "A-Bun-Dance"), expanding El Perro Del Mar's sonic palette. A fine return after the disappointing Pale Fire. (JoAnn Whetsell)
We Are History
Release info:
2018—Ging Ging
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Produced by:
El Perro Del Mar, Jacob Haage and Petter Granberg
Comments:
A wonderful EP that follows in the eclectic world music style of KoKoro, but somewhat darker. Very enjoyable listen. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Further info:
"Oh! What a Christmas" appears on the compilation It's Not Like Christmas (2006). "Heavenly Arms (Bandjo & EPDM Edit)" appears on the compilation Colette Ville (2010).Anna Ternheim's What Have I Done EP (2010) includes an El Perro del Mar remix of the title track.
Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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