Jay-Jay Johanson - Advice to My Younger Self (2017)

Swedish singer/songwriter Jäje Johanson, who goes by the stage name Jay-Jay Johanson, infuses the measured, slow-burn aesthetics of downbeat and trip-hop with the metallic pulse of electro-pop, resulting in his own signature brand of film noir-imbued electronic melancholy. Born and raised in the city of Trollhättan, Johanson released his debut album, Whiskey, in 1996, followed by Tattoo in 1998. His third outing, 2000's Poison, featured Cocteau Twins founder/guitarist Robin Guthrie, and debuted at the number four spot on the French pop charts. Released in 2002, Antenna was recorded with the help of German IDM group Funkstörung, and 2005's Rush boasted contributions from French producer/multi-instrumentalist Jean-Pierre Ensuque. The following year, Johanson appeared on (as well as co-wrote) the track "Marble House" for the Knife's Silent Shout LP, and began work on 2007's The Long Term Physical Effects Are Not Yet Known. Spellbound, his eighth studio album, arrived in 2012. ~ James Christopher Monger.