It’s always a hard task to convert an audience when you sing in a language that they don’t understand. However it can be done. Case in point Familjen; the solo project of Swede Johan T Karlsson. This album contains everything from electro to acid house, indie rock, future pop and tech. It is possibly the best mix of everything that is floating around in the genre mash pool of the current indie-dance scene.

The album starts off with tracks that display a balance between the soft and relaxed vocals of Karlsson with bumping basslines and subtle psychedelic sounds, in particular the opener Nu Händer Det Igen. This track perfectly blends hypnotic vocals and epic sounds that allow the listener to drift off into the rest of the album. The first half of Det Snurrar I Min Skalle breaks up the dancefloor fillers with disco punk tracks Det Vet Du and Nån Gång, featuring more bass guitar driven beats and predominant synthesisers.

However, title track Det Snurrar I Min Skalle (It’s Spinning in My Head) is the album standout. At first listen, it is reminiscent of some 90s Euro-dance, but don’t let this deter you. It is probably the most infectious song I have heard all year and its upbeat melody and electro house driven synthes will have you singing Swedish (even though you have no idea what the track is talking about). Some may think it is cheesy, but if you let yourself go this song will become a favourite.

The latter half of the album delves into deeper and harder beats, with the vocals taking a back seat in order to show the production skills of Karlsson. Tracks Hög Luft and Första Sista are slightly reminiscent of a Kavinsky original or remix, seemingly situated in a 1980s racing car arcade game. Kom Säger Dom is probably the album’s second best track; it reminds me of some of the more upbeat work by Booka Shade, and plays with some funky techno and minimal elements.

Most of the songs on this album are worthy of being played by the biggest DJs in the world – they are certified floor-fillers. Despite the fact that most have an obvious inspiration from other artists, the fact that Karlsson can master so many styles and genres in one album is a testament.

It seems many dance acts that can be categorised as ‘Indie’ are delving deeper into that typecast. Familjen is different, not only because of the Swedish vocals, but also because the albums flows with ease. His album is a breath of fresh air, and it will make you want to dance. In September and October Familjen will head to Australia as part of Parklife, I can’t wait!