Lejonhjärta – “99 goodbyes”

I love finding music that blends different eras perfectly, and the new EP from Gothenburg indie pop project Lejonhjärta does exactly that. Titled “99 goodbyes”, this release is an incredibly refreshing listen. Henrik Stolpe has put together a pair of tracks that manage to look nostalgic yet completely alive.

The title track, “99 goodbyes”, runs for three minutes and forty seconds, and it grabbed me immediately. It brings together 90s indie pop guitar work with deep 80s keyboard textures. Dennis Carlsson provides great acoustic drums while Henrik Wittgren adds extra depth on the keys. You can hear nods to classic bands like New Order, Depeche Mode, and Smashing Pumpkins, but it never comes across like a cheap copy. The song explores how various farewells shape our lives, turning a bittersweet idea into an anthemic track that you want to sing along with.

Then we have “Distorsion”, a tighter track at two minutes and fifty-four seconds. It keeps the momentum going while delivering the project’s signature balance of alternative rock sensibilities and infectious melodic hooks. The production across both songs is polished and ready for the radio, yet it retains a genuine independent spirit that reminds me of Swedish acts like Broder Daniel.

Henrik Stolpe has a real gift for making introspective songwriting feel massive and uplifting. If you enjoy this sound, you should definitely take some time to check out the previous releases from Lejonhjärta. There is a great back catalog of EPs to discover, and you can see how much the project has grown leading up to this point.

You should follow Lejonhjärta right now to stay updated about new releases in the rest of this year. Henrik is creating truly special indie pop music that speaks to real life, and supporting independent musicians who care about melody and substance is always rewarding. They are an awesome act to keep on your musical radar.