European music has really been taking off this past little while, with renowned exports such as The Concretes, Never Trust Hippie and Amina. Recently, however, it feels as though the bulk of European music exports are coming from Sweden, and with Peter Björn and John’s third LP Writers Block receiving wider and increasingly positive acclaim the longer it has been released, it doesn’t look like the Swedish phenomenon is going to ease any time soon.

Upon first listen it seems the boys don’t really seem to know what they wanted to do with the album. Rolling snares moves to hand clapping pop moves to chunky beats, it’s a little chaotic and very erratic, but leave it a couple of days, maybe even stew on how the first impression made you feel, then come back with a recharged mind, press play and prepare to understand.

The first song that really stands out on Writers Block is the song of the 06/07 summer, Young Folks. Featuring Victoria Bergsman of The Concretes fame, it’s an exquisite piece of music; it feels like a soft breeze ever so lightly kissing your skin as you lay in lazy love on grass turned golden by the afternoon sun. The song is perfect, I know that’s a big call, but it just makes you wish you were there with them as the song was conceived, as they realised that they had just created a piece of music magic.

Young Folks is followed by Amsterdam, a fleshy, bassy number that makes bob your head and, if you’re anything like me, pull the occasional odd face as you lose yourself in melody and really get into it. The remainder of Writers Block is pretty ordinary, the only remaining gem being Let’s Call if Off which is a perfect little pop song, with a 1960’s twinge right down the harmonies and handclaps.

The album itself is good, the ideas the boys have used and the way they have been implemented is definitely what completes the album. There are so many places that Writers Block could have gone, but Peter Björn and John have held it together with a couple of common thoughts yet let each track develop a sound of its own, making the complete project much more distinct and accomplished. This is an album for those with patience, listeners who recognise the potential and who have the discipline to return and give it a couple more goes, if Writers Block isn’t given that then it won’t get the chance to truly show off it’s many colours.