Dungen — Vidrig Vår

Breaking internationally with their cult classic Ta det lungt, Dungen have been a staple of modern psych-rock for over two decades. Their fans include Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker (who actually requested the group mix his first record), and their influence has been enormous for a group that performs primarily in Swedish. Vidrig Vår is their 12th album, not counting several instrumental and live releases. Drawing inspiration from the terrible spring of the title, the band pushes their sound in interesting new directions. The steadily transforming stretch of “En Gång I Timmen” melds flutes with overdriven guitars and a deep bass pulse, while “Djurgårn” pairs singer Gustav Ejstes’ intimate vocals with tambourines and a contrapunctal woodwind line, a stripped down but exceedingly beautiful snapshot of the band’s sound.