Audiopile Review: Fresh new release from the ever-fruitful Gothenburg scene, JJULIUS returns with Vol. 3, an accessible entry point into his canon and the larger GBG landscape. While still rooted in the minimal post-punk aesthetic we’ve come to expect from him, Vol. 3 veers into a brighter and, dare we say, indie-pop adjacent territory, complete with a Belle and Sebastian-esque cover that possibly hints at his newfound twee inclinations—though that’s likely just a coincidence… Either way, what matters is that Vol. 3 is a collection of varied, memorable, and thoroughly enjoyable songs. As with many GBG releases, collaboration is key. Here, JJULIUS is joined by his Monokultur bandmate Loopsel, Julia Bjernelind (Amateur Hour), Australia’s Nathan Roche (CIA Debutante), past collaborator Clara Flygare, and Tor Sjödén (Viagra Boys). Vol. 3 shifts between early-aughts indie, dubbed-out pop reminiscent of shop favs Troth, and the DIY post-punk spirit that defines much of the scene. Strings and saxophones weave through the tracks, while tight grooves hold everything down. JJULIUS’ half-spoken delivery contrasts wonderfully with the melodic immediacy of his guests’ contributions. Fans of Peel Dream Magazine and the recent work of King Krule will find much to love here, as will those with a penchant for The Fall and even Robert Rental. JJULIUS really took things up a notch with this one—huge recommendation.

***

In the discourse around new albums from singular, world-building artists, the phrase “a big step forward” can often be a blinking red warning sign. You know you’re about to be pulled somewhere new against your will. Inertia is a hell of a thing. It’s nice here. Surely, the party’s not over yet?

JJULIUS’ Vol. 3 album is a big step forward, or a step up, out of the murky basement of the preceding two volumes. There’s no time to acclimate. A spindly violin grabs you by the hand and pulls you into the pastoral bounce of “Brinna ut,” which, in spite of its meaning (“Burn out”), creates the kind of blind positivity and warm stomach feeling less cynical people might find in self-help seminars. For us, we have records like this. And, inertia be damned, Vol. 3 has charm like a balm.

JJULIUS records have always arrived like meteors from another planet, an impression hammered home by the fact that they’re titled like compendiums of artifacts. And while Vols. 1 and 2 carried that notable tinge of darkness, Vol. 3 has (almost!) cast that shadow, adding elements of disco (“Dödsdisco”) and dream-pop (“Etopisk hallucination”) to his forever favorites Arthur Russell, African Head Charge, and The Fall.

Some of that new car smell could be attributed to a change in process. Each song was written over beats played by Tor Sjödén of the wild-eyed Stockholm group Viagra Boys, beats that were themselves inspired by tracks from the likes of Patrick Cowley, CAN, Count Ossie, Black Devil Disco Club and others that Julius would send to him as inspiration.

Unless you’re Mark E. Smith, fervor fades. Eventually we all crave a lie down in some nice grass, a few minutes to gaze at the sky and wonder if everything is actually all that bad. Vol. 3 gives you 35 of those respiting minutes. “No looking back, no misery, no talking trash, no enemies.”

Produced by JJULIUS with invaluable help from Petter Granberg