The best things come in threes: after his recent success with the ‘The Devil in Me’, a glorious collaboration with Oliver Koletzki as part of Großstadtmärchen 2, and the Big Jet Plane EP for our good friends at Dantze, poster-boy Jan Blomqvist presents his first 12” on Stil vor Talent, Ink.

Things kick off with the title track, whose classic song structure and romantic melodies rub elegantly against tougher, sometimes distorted electronic percussion to create a tension that would be at home on a Radiohead LP. Moreover, ‘Ink’s arrangement is both, complex and flawless, thus granting Jan’s longingly sung vocals to unfold beautifully. For the next track, ‘Something Says’, Blomqvist strips his sound down to create a dance floor ready excursion in rhythm that patiently leads towards an epic climax of washed out piano melodies, spurred on by his trademark whispers. Things get trippy on the flip – for ‘Awake’ Blomqvist layers vocals snippets over skittering percussion until we’re treated to a surreal story of insomnia, underpinned by a strong guitar loop.

Just like a tattoo, Blomqvist’s Ink will get straight under your skin and leave a lasting impression.

Catalogue number: SVT078