Abstract Crimewave (formerly known as Smile) is the project of Björn Yttling (Peter Bjorn and John) and Joakim Åhlund (Teddybears, Caesars). They are returning with a new full-length studio album The Longest Night featuring Lykke Li, Chrissie Hynde, and Dungen.
Due out October 3rd, 2023 via Chimp Limbs/Red Eye, the album is heralded by lead single “The Gambler” featuring good friend and frequent collaborator Lykke Li. Along with the song, Abstract Crimewave has released the official music video for “The Gambler” featuring all three artists.
Jocke says about the single:
I like to think that it reminds me of…Eurythmics, washed up on a beach. At least that’s what we were aiming for.
Björn says:
I came up with this moody but pretty riff that kind of played itself with a weird sound I got from my led 80’s Casiotone synth plugged into an old tube amp. Jocke liked it and added some tape echo guitar. That was all we had for a while, but then I was in LA and played it for Lykke and she came up with that great vocal melody and some of her trademark beautifully sad lyrics, and so she and I finished it together.
Lykke adds:
Björn is my favourite person to write with. This was one of the songs we wrote in between playing very competitive tennis.
The Longest Night is a record that showcases the sound of Åhlund and Yttling paying tribute to the many different styles of music they love. Where previously they would work loosely in the studio with a revolving door policy for friends of the band to come in and jam, this time they handled everything but the drums between the two of them.
Special guests include Lykke Li on today’s single “The Gambler,” Chrissie Hynde (whose debut album Stockholm was written and produced by Åhlund and Yttling) brings vocals to the title track “The Longest Night” and Dungen frontman Gustav Ejstes sings and plays flute on “Flyga Fram.”
Yttling says about the record’s title:
In Sweden, when you get to around the 22nd of December, there’s something uplifting about knowing that it’s the longest night, because it’s the turning point of something. And maybe that’s what this album is for us as a band, a turning point.
