Listen: IBERIA – “Swansea”

With an innate knack for dreamy haze-like vocals and crafting gorgeous lush soundscapes, Swedish duo IBERIA announce their arrival as serious contenders in the modern electronica game with this free download “Swansea”, taken from their recently released self-titled debut album.

Formed two years ago by Swedes Alexander Palmestål and Maja Milner after meeting in Berlin, IBERIA sound exactly like what you’d expect from a Scandinavian-born two-piece formed in one of the few remaining cities that specialises in “art for art’s sake”.

Although obviously influenced by Berlin’s grounding in techno, “Swansea” clearly owes more to the recent explosion of dream-pop and ‘chill-wave’ that has found itself more prominent in recent years. Beginning like any good electronic track should by slowly building a gorgeous and almost icy synth line over an evenly paced kick drum, the track is comfortable in building the listener’s anticipation. However, “Swansea” really comes alive once Milner’s faint ghost-like vocals kick. Almost pixie-like, they mark an interesting addition to the production as they seem more comfortable highlighting the instrumental rather than acting to compete with the music.

The pair may have made their bones with debut double A-side single “An Ending (Ascent)/A Finale”, but “Swansea” is a step into new territory. If you’ve ever wanted to hear what an epiphany sounds like soundtracked, listen now.

Words: Jamie Cunningham