Music Note—Miike Snow

By Gilmarie Brioso on August 21, 2012

Image by Maximino A. Franco

There exist those songs that make you want to dance. And no, I am not talking about the pop musical listenings of artists such Lady Gaga or Britney Spears. Their music urges one to crave the dance floor, for sure. But I am talking about those songs that seem to move through your body, swerve through your very bones, even to your soul.

“Burial,” by the Swedish group Miike Snow, is one of those songs. Whenever I hear it, I want to dance ballet (And I have never danced even a bit of ballet my entire life). It must be the song’s whimsical nature that makes me think of contemporary ballet pieces. It can also be the insightful lyrics that remind me of the intricacies within a ballet routine.

“Misery is all we know lately.
Saturdays are all the same.
Sympathy is overrated,
Like a snapshot when you’ve lost the game.

Now it’s all a funeral.
I’ve become a serial killer of us both.

No, I don’t wanna get thrown in your ocean.
Don’t try.

You know that we already know it.
It’s over”—“Burial”

It is a simple song about a relationship that has come to an end. However, Miike Snow seems to be keen on the acknowledgement of its termination, as a method of coming to terms with the situation. “At your own burial, don’t forget to cry.” Don’t forget to mourn the burial of your relationship for it frees you, instead of trapping you within despair for what has been lost.

Image by Jahaziel Photography

Beautiful lyrics come easy to the electro pop group because it’s members, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg and Andew Wyatt, began as songwriters for pop icons such as Madonna and Kylie Minogue. However, this producing team marked their own distinctive indie sound in 2009 with the single “Animal,” which became an instant hit.

“I changed shapes just to hide from this place but I’m still, I’m still and animal.”

The song’s popularity has been so vast that the single has been remixed at least 9 different times, by DJ’s such Mark Ronson and the Crookers. Other songs, including “Burial,” have been remixed as well. Miike Snow has also enjoyed its creative liberties, remixing songs such as Passion Pit’s “The Reeling.”

Miike Snow’s music is truly a work of art. Don’t miss a chance to see the group work their magic live. They are touring this fall in the United States, stopping in New York City on October 19^th at the United Palace Theater. Tickets are now on sale.