VII

Since surfacing into the Scandinavian synth-pop scene 16 years ago, Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Hutchinson Berg aka KITE have steadily grown from local icons to a global phenomenon, yet until now they’ve never released a full-length studio album. VII breaks the ice, collecting 14 of the duo’s deepest and most dynamic anthems into a stormy saga of immersive, apocalyptic emotion. Sourced from a series of six 7-inch singles released over the past half-decade, the collection persuasively showcases KITE’s distinctly cinematic strain of Swedish darkwave in all its glory and desolation. Stenemo and Berg had both logged time in other bands before joining forces in the mid-aughts, although their unique chemistry became apparent immediately. After forming in Malmö, Sweden, they soon relocated to Stockholm, further refining their fusion of brooding synths, booming rhythm, and vocal theatrics over a string of celebrated, numbered EPs (named I through VI). 

VII offers a compendium of KITE’s potent recent discography, including collaborations with Blanck Mass, Anna von Hausswolff, and Henric de la Cour. From yearning dystopian pop ("Hand Out The Drugs," "Bowie ‘95"), to widescreen existential balladry ("Tranas Stenslanda," "Glassy Eyes"), andsleek New Romantica ("Remember Me," "Teenage Bliss"), KITE’s wavelength is one of soaring heights and abysmal depths, anguish and ecstasy, pouring one’s burning, battered heart into the here and now.

Released: August 2024
Cat: DAIS228LP
Label: DAIS Records

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Tracklist

SIDE A:
1. Remember Me
2. Changing
3. Hand Out The Drugs

SIDE B:
1. Glassy Eyes
2. Bocelli
3. Bowie '95
4. Panic Music

SIDE C:
1. Tranås/Stenslanda
2. Don't take the light away
3. Teenage Bliss
4. Demons & Shame

SIDE D:
1. Losing (feat. Anna Von Hausswolff & Henric de la Cour)
3. Hopelessly Unholy
4. Hum Hum