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Shout Out Louds offshoot Serenades playing NYC this week, Parlovr too

By Bill Pearis

Serenades

Serenades are a Swedish duo who formed just this year, but you might be familiar with the members. Adam Olenius fronts Shout Out Louds and Markus Krunegård spent most of the ’00s in the band Laakso. The band makes their NYC debut this week with shows on Thursday (12/15) at Knitting Factory and a late show Friday (12/16, doors at 10:30) at Mercury Lounge with Montreal’s Parlovr opening.

Parlovr, who I just saw in Montreal, also play the Popgun Holiday Party at Glasslands with North Highlands, BELL, and Leisure on Thursday.

With their indiepop backgrounds you might not be surprised to learn that Serenades are tuneful, with heart-on-sleeve lyrics and anthemic/precious arrangements, though the duo are definitely more full-on radio-friendly pop than Shout out Louds (who are still together) ever were. Serenades’ debut album, Criminal Heaven, is out now in Sweden but America is going to have to settle for the digital-only Come Home EP until next year.

The EP’s title cut (which is on the album too) is a pouty, holiday-themed track that takes it’s cues from Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (The production and melody part, not the pretense or Bono wailing “Thank god it’s them instead of you!” part.) You can also watch the video for “Oceans” at the bottom of this post and download the track (via a widget) as well…


Serenades – Come Home

Serenades – Oceans

Serenades flyer