The Cardigans were topping the charts way before every pop song was written by a faceless Scandinavian producer. Their 1994 debut album Emmerdale was introverted and melancholy, but Life is fearless and buoyant. (Life preceded the band's biggest hit, 1996's First Band On The Moon) Nina Persson’s soft-spoken deadpan melodies suit the self-aware lyrics, backed by over 50 different instruments over the course of the album. This is a “twee” record without the DIY trappings, far closer to The Carpenters than The Vaselines. Breakout single “Carnival” begins with a gentle organ dirge subsumed by rigid claps and swelling string arrangements - you may remember it from Daria or the second Austin Powers flick. “Hey! Get Out Of My Way” is peppy recorder and flanged out guitar with vocals that glide between breathy and modulated, “Daddy’s Car” is neatly arranged nostalgic twang. This album has been issued with a variety of tracklists depending on where and when it was released, but this reissue is faithful to the original 1995 Swedish CD. This record is pressed on 180 gram black vinyl and is packaged in a gatefold sleeve. 

• 180g vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve and printed inner
• features the original Swedish tracklisting
• music label: Stockholm Records 2019

reviewed by ABACABB 05/2019