#40. Deportees – Islands & Shores

Artist/Band: Deportees

Album: Islands & Shores

Released: 19th of October 2011

Country: Sweden

Web: Deportees Website

Favourite songs: Islands & Shores, Doctor In Me, A Heart Like Yours In A Time Like This, Medicate It Right, Warpaint, Carry No Blow, A New Name To Go By, The Wild In Me, When Buildings Sleep, Future Shocks ( = all!)

Each season there is an album that stands out from the rest. Veronica Maggio’s “Välkommen in” captured the essence of those bright Scandinavian summer nights, Ben Howard’s “Every Kingdom” kept me warm and happyhearted in the fall and Deportees’ “Islands & Shores” shed light on the the long, dark winter days.

The album received great reviews and awards in Sweden but they are still an unknown band to the rest of the world. It wasn’t until Lykke Li tweeted about the collaborating song “A New Name to Go By” that media caught interest.

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Islands & Shores is a profound album. It’s heartfelt without being emotional. It’s complex without being complicated. It’s got depth but instead of dwelling in it, it’s basking in the sunlight, hopeful and reassured.

From the first, doubtlessly most catchy track “Islands & Shores” via the love-drenched “A Heart Like Yours In A Time Like This”, through steel-drums, strings, percussion, choirs and multi-layers arrangements to the delightful love celebration of “Future Shocks”, the album tells beautiful stories that I find myself listening to over and over again.

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