Niki & The Dove, the new pop practitioners from Stockholm. A double-headed act, they make the kind of leftfield, intelligent pop music that will see them breakthrough in 2012. Forming in Stockholm in 2010, Malin Dahlstrom and Gustaf Karlof have so far released increasingly essential singles and EPs full of emotion, backed up by walls of synths, pounding drums and soaring vocals.

"DJ, Ease My Mind" is another key track in their development. Huge synths and tribal drums are matched by Malin’s soaring vocal. Highly individual, they grasp the fundamentals – to be bold, free-thinking and resolutely forward-looking. It’s timeless yet otherworldly, and is set to be one of the first great singles of 2012. Jakwob, on the other hand, morphing the track into a brooding beast. Stripped of its anthemic Eurovision-esque vibe, the listener is instantly transported to a deep dark cathedral of dub.

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"Tonight's Hottest Record is an example of patience in the pursuit of perfection in ones craft. Wise beyond his years Jakwob has paced himself throughout and already prolific studio career. But his future, as an artist, starts with "Electrify" (via BBC)

Jakwob with a strong return, retaining his dubstep roots but crossing the borders of drum and bass and other elements not part of his forte. Big tune for a big return. It's going to be a wonderful new year for Jakwob.

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A few have attempted and only one has caught my attention. As predicted, a number have tried to remix the Lana Del Rey hit, "Video Games." I ran through these numbers and they didn't seem to compute. Most were similar to a long read, boring and a good reason for sleep.  

Good thing they added more numbers to the equation with Jakwob and the young and talented Etherwood. After scoring big with that Ellie Goulding cut, it does make sense that they have them do this remix. A good combination of loops and synths but kind of in a hurry. Very fun track to listen to.

Video Games (Jakwob & Etherwood Remix) by Lana Del Rey

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