THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hot on the scene, Swedish duo Pools have made quite the first impression with their singles Walk and Looking For Trouble. Now, they aim to cement their reputation with their debut album You & Us.
The shared vision of multi-instrumentalist Fredrik Forell and lead vocalist Arvid Hällagård, Pools are reminiscent of bands such as The National and The Tallest Man On Earth, combining Americana, folk and gospel to create something quite remarkable — as evidenced in the profound might of their debut album.
You & Us sees Pools baring all in a strikingly raw and unadulterated rumination of loss and sorrow. Going through a divorce as the album was taking shape, Arvid’s heartache beautifully translates into something we can all witness and understand. From start to finish, the record follows the painful journey of putting a relationship to rest, recognising its shortcomings and beginning to move on.
The record sees the union of Pools’ eclectic musical background in electronica and stoner rock, where soulful vocals intertwine chasmic bass and folk guitar complements the haunting chimes of synthetic noise. Striking a perfect balance between light and heavy, the duo craft an amalgamation of charming melodies that will play hopscotch in the back of your mind.
About the album’s title track, Arvid says, “These are some thoughts about how she and I felt during the relationship, how you have to handle yourself, and at the same time an ‘Us’. Mostly it’s about how hard a relationship can be, having a first kid. You expect it to be in a certain way, and the disappointment when those expectations turn out to be unreal.”
