There really is nothing quite as frustrating as bands (and their labels) providing close to no information about themselves. Which is why there’s some confusion on my part surrounding this debut release from the Malmö/Stockholm based quintet MFMB, because it seems like I’m one of few in possession of the originally intended eponymous six song release.

Anyway, what has changed for whatever reason is that instead of one mini album they have decided to release two three song EP’s titled ‘The Fine Detail’ and ‘Heat Like This’ on French label La Bulle Sonore Records (gotta love the no-border world of the internet), the first available for free via Pitch9 Recordings. Well, have to live with the confusion, I guess, which fortunately is quite easy. Because they’re really quite awesome!

Striking a grand balance between the organic rock band and mechanical drum machines, samplers and synths, MFMB create scintillating synthrock with one foot in krautrock and tipping hats to acts like Joy Division, Talking Heads and Daft Punk, aiming at both dance floors as well as more solo oriented exercises like dark contemplation and/or city night walks.

There’s instant hit potential in ‘Tune On’ (in the player below), while moving Talking Heads/U2-ish anthem ‘I Would Give It To Anyone’ – both from the ‘Heat Like This’ EP – is one hypnotizing progression ripped by a desperately grandiose chorus before being brought to a gentle halt. Elsewhere steely, repetitive electro-noise-rock duo ‘Anthill Man’ and ‘Control’ (both from the ‘The Fine Detail’ EP) plain and simply kick ass.

Apart from this I can’t really tell you much more about MFMB (Google apparently has its limits), other than their name means nothing, that they apparently looked to bands like Arcade Fire for inspiration in the beginning and once called themselves My Favorite Moon Boots…

Genre: Rock/Synthrock
Who: MFMB
Album: MFMB (The Fine Detail / Heat Like This)
Label: La Bulle Sonore Records/Pitch9
Year: 2009
Country: Sweden
Language: English

Recommended tracks:
Anthill Man – Control – Tune On – I Would Give It To Anyone