MP3 of the week: The Sounds

• FREE The Sounds MP3: Download 'Song with a mission'
• FREE The Sounds MP3: Download 'Painting by numbers'
• Myspace: http://myspace.com/thesounds/
• Website: www.thesounds.com

The Sounds are one of the latest imports from Sweden - they're kind of new wave with a touch of electro, and they've got a hard driving sound that's offset by melodies that will stick in your head longer than is healthy...

What is it with the Swedes and unbelievably catchy pop songs? No matter what the style — disco (ABBA), bubblegum (Ace of Base), indie (The Cardigans), garage (The Hives) — the Swedes make it work, and The Sounds are a rock-solid Swedish new wave export. Their tunes are amazingly hooky, and Maja Ivarsson’s got a charismatic voice and presence.

Okay, so more about their musical style? It's primarily New Wave with punk and pop/electronica influences. Most songs make integrated use of synthesizers, and Maja Ivarsson provides a spunky vocal lead. The group is often compared to New Wave acts such as Blondie, The Cars, The Epoxies and Missing Persons.

Their debut album Living in America was released in 2002, with the follow up Dying to Say This to You on March 21, 2006.

Lead singer Maja Ivarsson was also featured on Cobra Starship's "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)", for the film Snakes on a Plane. In addition to Ivarsson's contribution to the Snakes soundtrack, the entire band is featured as track 6, Queen of Apology, remixed by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.

Want to suggest an MP3 of the week?

Are you a major fan of a small all-girl band and want to help them promote their music?

Post their link on the Mookychick music messageboard and we'll do what we can to track them down and host them as MP3 of the week. Thanks for your direct action xxx

Disclaimer: To the best of our knowledge we only ever source mp3s from music blogs who are featuring the mp3s available for download legally. If you're a user and the link isn't there any more, we're sorry - it must have been a time-sensitive link, and you missed your chance for a free download. If you're a band and you don't like us hosting links to your mp3s, it doesn't matter if it's legal or not - we want to support you, so we'll take it down. Spread love, not fear.

More free, legal, downloadable MP3s from Mookychick:

Want to suggest an MP3 of the week?

Are you a major fan of a small all-girl band and want to help them promote their music?

Post their link on the Mookychick music messageboard and we'll do what we can to track them down and host them as MP3 of the week. Thanks for your direct action xxx

Disclaimer: To the best of our knowledge we only ever source mp3s from music blogs who are featuring the mp3s available for download legally. If you're a user and the link isn't there any more, we're sorry - it must have been a time-sensitive link, and you missed your chance for a free download. If you're a band and you don't like us hosting links to your mp3s, it doesn't matter if it's legal or not - we want to support you, so we'll take it down. Spread love, not fear.

Further links