THRU THE SMOKE & INTO YR HEART
March 12, 2010

Album covers with large pot leaves splattered in blood. Black and white videos with blood dripping into milk, fire, dogs, and gorgeous boys. Tropical dream pop. Organic field recordings with Lil Wayne samples and obscure movie and television samples. This is jj, who apparently aren't interested in you knowing who they are. Their intent is pure and simple - create the music that resonates in their bones, keep their identity mysterious, and do whatever the fuck they want.

Here's what we know: jj is the Swedish duo of Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander. They released their first two efforts, the single jj no. 1 and full length album jj no. 2 last Spring on European label Sincerely Yours. They released their second full length album, jj no. 3 in the US and Sweden a few days ago on the phenomenal label, Permanent Vacation, as well as Secretly Canadian.

Their lyrics are vague references to drug use, natural elements, worldly landscapes, falling in and out of love, dreaming while awake, and dying in the arms of the only person who ever understood you. Their sound has a strong African influence coupled with electronic transmission and deep soaked reverb. There is no template to their music or song structure. It's truly unique. It may be safe to say that they're just out to please themselves with an attitude of: If you like it, cool. If you don't, that's cool too. They've got a strong vision driven by their aches and happiness rather than a desire for acceptance. We think that's a pretty solid outlook.

jj - Ecstasy (320 kbps) | Download

jj - From Africa to Malaga (320 kbps) | Download

jj - My Way (unreleased) (192 kbps) | Download