Chewing Gum (ltd Bubblegum Pink Virgin Vinyl)

Having established herself as one of Swedens most esoteric and mesmerising songwriters, with critical acclaim from Uncut, Mojo, Clash and Pitchfork, and shows with the likes of Chelsea Wolfe, Mark Kozelek and Jens Lekman in recent years, Promise and the Monster (aka Billie Lindahl) has now returned to deliver her new EP Chewing Gum. Released on her new label Icons Creating Evil Art following on from the recently shared singles Closed My Eyes and Beating Heart she continues that smooth and lofty aesthetic that she is known for. Breathing an effortlessly warm and enticing atmosphere into this ep, her latest delight shows us that she is currently creating some of her most breathtaking material to date.

Billies musical education started young, playing Swedish folk on the cello at school by day and recording mix tapes by night. She became fascinated with Nick Drake, Kaki King and Elliot Smith, writing her debut EP Antarktis and first album Transparent Knives at the age of 18, having been picked up by Imperial Recordings. With a father playing country bands and mother into an eclectic mix of jazz and alternative rock, from day one her tastes were always going to be fluid.

By second album Red Tide in 2009, Promise and the Monster were touring Europe with, among others, label mate José Gonzales. Having relocated from the pine forests of rural Sweden, Billie embedded herself in Stockholms underground music, literature and art scenes. Collaborations followed, with experimental bands such as Alcest and This Gift is a Curse along with performances on heavyweight festival bills such as Roadburn. Signing to Bella Union for her third full-length she released Feed The Fire in 2016, produced by Love Martinsen who also produced this new EP, a quintessential break-up record that focused on abstract imagery.