Waltzes are generally discernible by the downbeat at the start of each measure – one two three, one two three. But the Swedish waltz puts an up beat right in the middle of this three-quarter medium, bringing the rhythm to an unfamiliar one two three, one two three. So when the musician keeps time (stay with me here), he just lets his foot waver there while he continues counting in his head, in effect missing a beat, but not the beat. It’s very unusual, very impressive and very hard to dance to, sleep to or really do anything at all to – besides sit and listen, trying to understand what is going on and how.
As is the latest release from Gustav Eljstes, the psychedelic mastermind behind Swedish experimental rock band Dungen – a whirling, up and down, back and forth, unpredictable and energizing mosaic of reworked influences that is both jarring and calming at the same time – or, rather, different times. A track will begin with discordant guitar riffs that conjure the Smashing Pumpkins or Pearl Jam, and the next moment – hitched to the first by only a high-pitched background residence – will be building an optimistic, synthetically joyful melody that jogs Scandinavian brethren Sigür Ròs, or Oasis or the ever-tapped Beatles.
Dungen may miss a few intentional beats to bring their homeland waltzing tradition center stage on string-heavy tracks like “”Caroline Visar Vägen,”” but they don’t miss many more.