Mando Diao - Bring 'Em In

So, you're just sat there, thinking, what album will get me through the summer when, wonder upon wonders, a little band from Sweden spring to your attention. Poppy, rocky, bluesy, tunesy, riffy, Hivesy, Strokesy and, ahem, on the opening track Sheepdog, Kula Shakery. The vocals are of the distorted Casablancas kind, the songs are uptempo, the lyrics are about girls and the like. If any Swedish music could justifiably be called essential, this be it. It's lovely, it's catchy (oh Lordy Lord, check out Paralyzed!), it's a Scandinavian Is This It? And it will get me through the summer.