Swedish band Love and Duct Tape plans to contribute music to Hawkstream radio this year. Their music is a unique blend of jazz, pop and rock influences, and even a hint of metal. Both of their albums are available for free download on their website, loveandducttape.com.

On writing music and lyrics, the band says, “The process is commonly jam-based; someone brings forth an idea, and the rest of us go crazy. It’s usually quite a ruckus at the start, melodies flying everywhere. Our ambition isn’t to tame the music, just picking it down and setting it loose.”

Band members include: Linus Nyman (vocals), Jesper Hentula and Johan Brinkman (guitar), Viktor Karlsson (bass), Simon Gustafsson (woodwind), Anders Brinkman (drums), and Emil Jämsén (keyboard). According to the band, they came together by chance. “It just happened. Isn’t that usually the case when it comes to the good things in life? I guess it kind of grew on its own. Like Spanish slugs, one day they’ve infested your entire garden, but did you see the first one arrive? Me neither.”

Their newest album “The Abyss,” focuses on quality over quantity with only five tracks. The first two tracks, “Tough Luck” and “Julio is the Devil,” open the album with up-tempo beats. The first tracks quickly introduce listeners to the band’s fun style, with drum cymbals and other instruments that hearken to the days of big bands and swing.

The instrumentation on the album is layered and complex, with a sound that can’t be compared to any other. There are elements of swing, along with rock rhythms and pop-like choruses. The mix of sounds makes for an infectious energy.

The offbeat lyrics can be difficult for American ears to decipher due to the band’s accent, but the effort is worth it. They write lyrics that are good for chewing on when feeling philosophical.

The third track, “Clown is Queen,” slows things down a bit. The song itself is sure to evoke emotion with its melancholic woodwind and bass work, not to mention the lyrics. The fourth track, “Confession of a Roving Mind,” speeds the album back up, building into the final track, “The Abyss,” which starts slow and picks up as it goes.

“The Abyss” starts off with the lead vocalist speaking more than singing. The lyrics are controversial and could be classified as depressing. The band still manages to keep a light feel in the music with a snappy drumbeat. The song (and album) ends with a quirky instrumental section.

Love and Duct Tape isn’t signed yet, but they’re hoping that will change with the new album they will be recording in the next couple of months. Overall, the band seems laid back and simply enjoys making music. They are planning a release party for the new album in Stockholm and will tour London this summer.