The Artist Explains: The Magnettes - 'American'
Swedish alt-pop duo The Magnettes return with 'American,' a truly standout single that expertly utilises the metaphor of the American dream to surmise themes of escapism. We caught up with them to talk about the track, their native Sweden, and what's on the horizon for them.
Your track ‘American’ is out now, can you speak to the metaphors found within the track?
Growing up in a small town in Sweden above the Arctic Circle, we were so heavily influenced and fed with American culture, and this song is kinda about that feeling of wanting to leave everything behind and live life like a movie. Knowing that the illusion they sell you is not real but you fall for it anyway even though it’s corny as f*ck.
What do you hope your listeners take from it?
Maybe this is a song they can play in the car and pretend they are on the run driving through the desert with a hot squeeze next to you.
How would you describe it sonically in comparison to previous projects?
It’s bigger and more dreamy than our other songs. A lot more of an organic feel it. Someone said it sounds like if Springsteen would play synth-pop. So there you have it!
With music discovery predominantly lacking territory thanks to the internet, do you feel that being from Sweden influences your music?
Where we’re from in Sweden there is a lot of cultures that we think has inspired us. We’re part of a Swedish minority called Tornedalingar and growing up we heard a lot of beautiful folk melodies and songs that we think have crept their way into our music a couple of times.
Is this release hinting at a new project on the horizon? If not, what can we look forward to from you next?
We’re doing some final wrestling with our second album! So we will be releasing more music and hopefully, get to see all of yall soon once we can start playing music in front of people again!