Sambassadeur - forward is all, 2010

"The Swedish quartet may not have reinvented the wheel with their third album, but it is safe to say that European is a pop-bombshell. Full to the brim with infectious hooks, clever word play, danceable beats and lush melodies backed by glorious horns and gorgeous strings. All the while, Anna Persson, again, showcasing herself as a formidable vocalist, and a with a strong case against Tracyanne Campbell for most badass twee chick on the block. If you enjoy your melodies sweet, your instrumentation lush and your lyrics jaded but personal, there will probably be much to love on European. It certainly would easily find it’s place in your car, blasting from speakers on the way to the beach, or on your headphones as you fall asleep. Yeah, it’s that kind of album."

Sambassadeur - subtle changes, 2007

"Sambassadeur was formed in 2003 within Skövde, a small town situated between Sweden’s two largest lakes. They all met in school and played gigs throughout local small towns and occasionally Gothenburg, where they are now situated. Fans began to take notice in 2005 when the four-piece released a self-titled debut and an EP, which was followed up the next year by another EP. Another album, Migration, in 2007 proved that Sambassadeur were intent on improving despite their competition. Regardless of whether their competition was receiving good or bad press, it still appeared they were receiving more than Sambassadeur. This quantitative standard may been their detriment in the early goings. The band’s ethic was never questioned, nor was their potential which illuminated brightly through insanely addictive harmonies. Their style though, not entirely innovative or unique in the vein of Swedish pop, meant that their music had to be more than good in a country where pop music reigns. It had to be exceptional. The past three years has seen little activity from Sambassadeur, who are perhaps ditching their quantitative ways in favor of a dramatic transformation that may put them in the same category as an Air France or Tough Alliance. Their new album, European, is their first release in three years and their most accomplished yet."

Sambassadeur - sandy dunes, 2010

"a defiant track that sees British Sea Power meeting Phil Spector in the confines of a chilly corridor. Though lyrically imperfect, and lacking that big enthralling rapturous chorus, the track summarizes the Achilles heel of a Sambassadeur song, in that there is always something missing, that extra ounce of melody that turns a decent song into a memorable life affirming one."

Sambassadeur - albatross, 2010

"‘Albatross’ contains the brilliant line “I was happy to be alone / cut my hair just like a boy”, it seems to be a contemporary response to Abba’s ‘The Winner Takes it All’ and a nod to the early days of the band when they attempted to channel Sweden’s greatest pop export. Again all the emotion comes out in the strings - the longing gaze out of the window, the sight of couples arm and arm that turn a singleton inwards, smothering themselves in thoughts of better days."

Sambassadeur - claudine cover, 2006

"The band of Sambassadeur began one night at Joachim’s small apartment where Daniel and Joachim had got together for recording a song. Despite the fact that they were too shy to even look at each other when first playing their songs, the short session resulted in the recording of the song “There you go”."

Sambassadeur - small parade cover, 2010

"Small Parade is a cover song present on Sambassadeur's album European. The original song was written by Tobin Sprout (ex-Guided by Voices) and released in the What's Up Matador compilation."

Sambassadeur - the park, 2007

"Sambassadeur don't know whether to laugh or cry. Placing melancholy words on top of buoyant melodies isn't a new trick - and appears to have been made compulsory in Sweden, whence Sambassadeur hail - but done with pep, it can still charm. Opener The Park doesn't just go for tuneful buoyancy - it teeters on the brink of outright euphoria, even as Anna Persson breathily undercuts the joy with her vocal, while Final Say might as well be a lost Saint Etienne single."

Sambassadeur - migration, 2007

"Sambassadeur's Anna Persson sings softly and fluidly, favoring held notes that sound like they might dissipate into the music around her. Her voice often seems more typical of shoegaze or introverted folk than 1980s-cribbing pop, but she strikes the right note of dreaminess and cool drama in Sambassadeur's songs. The band gently buttresses her vocals with guitar and synth rhythms that percolate playfully, creating a wistful contrast with her sustained vocals. This combination of textures - like tweed under silk - lent past singles like "Between the Lines" and "Kate", from the band's 2005 home-recorded self-titled debut and their Coastal Affairs EP respectively, their melancholy charm and distinctive personality among their Swedish contemporaries."

Sambassadeur - final say, 2007

"Everything about Sambassadeur's latest album is rich, from Anna Persson’s syrupy vocal tone, to the lush orchestration that garnishes each track. Having taken their name from the carnivalesque Serge Gainsbourg song ‘Les Sambassadeurs’ you expect there to be an abundance of vibrancy and passion on European, the band’s third release; though tempered by doubt and restraint, emotion lies beneath the layers of onion peel in the grey gutter of sadness."

Sambassadeur - falling in love, 2007

"I found Sambassadeur a few weeks ago only after searching for some post rock Swedish bands that aren’t just The Mary Onettes and The Radio Dept. They have a Cranberries/The Sundays feel, this was the only track I picked up but after a few listens I definitely want more."

Sambassadeur - marie, 2006

"I grew up in a quite small town called Lidköping. It’s around 150 kilometers from Göteborg, and after that I moved to Stockholm and eventually to Göteborg. And about my musical influences growing up, it was from Marianne Faithful, Velvet Underground and Nico, and this kind of oldies, in a way. I always listened a lot to that. But also bands like Guided by Voices and the more lo-fi bands."

Sambassadeur - kate, 2006

"Of all the Swedish groups in recent years, Sambassadeur have perhaps the most in common with likely indie-kid preconceptions of Swedishness - no blog-house attitude or hip posturing here."

Sambassadeur - ice and snow, 2005

"In some reviews, you’ll read about Belle and Sebastian, My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Go-Betweens. As for me, I’d say that most of their songs are kind of close to Camera Obscura, the Aislers Set and the Radio Dept."

Sambassadeur - between the lines, 2005

"The breakdown on “Between the Lines” — the snare hit, the ethereal “ahs,” the chord progression — is completely irresistible to simple minds and hearts such as mine."

Sambassadeur - new moon, 2005

"They were one of the bands that lead an explosive Swedish pop movement of home recording artists who surprised our country by not only achieving overnight indie fame (thanks to the MP3 spreading kids!) but also reached the sales charts."