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By demonizing pleasure, we set ourselves up for unfulfilling sex lives.
Opinion: Let’s talk about sex
Published March 27, 2024

What in the jackalope?!

Frontman Andrew Wyatt sheds light on Miike Snow’s new efforts.

What: Miike Snow

When: 7:30 p.m.,Tuesday

Where: First Avenue, Mainroom, 701 N. First Ave., Minneapolis

Cost: $30

Age: 18+

 

Miike Snow is a group, not an individual. The three piece act is confusing, intriguing and self-admittedly hard to explain.

“I don’t know if I would describe [our music],” frontman Andrew Wyatt said. “I think it’s tough to describe in words — I’ll leave it to the journalists to describe the music.”

Much like the mythical hybrid jackalope that appears in their album artwork and videos, Miike Snow has taken recognizable genre traits and turned out their own amalgamation of danceable, melodic pop. The creative efforts of Miike Snow are rounded out by production team Bloodshy & Avant, Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg.

From the driving pulse of the snare drum in “The Wave” to the synth-heavy sound of “Enter the Joker’s Lair,” Miike Snow expanded its horizons for its second album, “Happy To You.”

Miike Snow’s self-titled first album was more of a hodgepodge collaboration than a full-fledged vision. Yet it was a solid effort, a point well-illustrated by the success of the single “Animal.” The vibe and skill set of the group was clearly presented and provided a base for their exploits on “Happy To You.”

“I don’t think we knew we were really going to be a band when we made the first record, so we were trying to make something that was more cohesive,” Wyatt said. “I think the emotional spectrum of [the second album] is a bit broader than the [first album]. That was one of our goals.”

The group is out there. If any evidence is needed, take their music videos for “Paddling Out” and “The Wave.” Together, the two videos form one narrative of a surgical sci-fi pseudo-nightmare in an apocalyptic world.

“We had a talk about genetic engineering and climate change and, you know, man periodically has periods of time where the future of the human race becomes quite questioned,” Wyatt said. “I think we’re in one of those times right now. We were talking about those things naturally, and Andreas [Nilsson] put the whole thing together.”

Nilsson, the videos’ director, hails from Sweden as do Bloodshy & Avant.

Bloodshy & Avant’s previous work includes producing tracks for artists such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears in the early 2000s. Their pop sensibilities are well-suited for this kind of hybrid group.

“We kind of have to figure out continuously how to juggle what everybody wants to do,” Wyatt said. “If I’m really into Brit pop at a certain phase and Christian is really into 90s hip-hop, we find a way to make that work.”

Wyatt will be happy, then, that Miike Snow’s music is unique to them. The style has a global appeal aided by the international complexion of the group.

“We’re living in a world now where nothing travels faster and more easily over the internet than music — for some reason our music is known all over the place,” Wyatt said. “It’s also exhausting to try to reach those people, but rewarding.”

 

 

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