Dina Ögon

Based in Stockholm, Dina Ögon are a Swedish combo whose retro-inspired sound fuses elements of Tropicalia, sunshine pop, psychedelia, and soul into a pleasing and sophisticated amalgam. They earned international notice with their self-titled 2021 debut, then followed it in 2023 with the critically acclaimed Oas. A third album, Orion, arrived one year later. The group began as a collaboration between singer/songwriter Anna Ahnlund and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Ögren, each one a veteran of Stockholm’s vibrant indie pop scene in their own right. Citing a panoply of eclectic influences, from Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Wonder to hip-hop duo Eric B & Rakim and Swedish pop hero Ted Gärdestad, the newly minted Dina Ögon (which translates in English to “Your Eyes”) released their eponymous debut in 2021. The album showcased Ahnlund’s airy voice and lush melodies (sung entirely in Swedish) amid a track bed of jazzy, graceful pop that seemed to celebrate long drives under the midnight sun. For their follow-up release, Ahnlund and Ögren recruited two more stalwart players in bassist Love Örsan and drummer Christopher Cantillo to make Dina Ögon a quartet. After writing and rehearsing for nearly a year, the band recorded every song for their next record in a single day at Andreas Tengblad’s Studio Gagarin, then wrapped up production in their own studio. Released in 2023, Oas played like a more streamlined version of their core sound with a light, funky feel and elegant, soulful arrangements. Working quickly, Dina Ögon readied their third album for release in February 2024. With its sumptuous production and detailed arrangements, Orion bore many of the same attributes as its predecessor. ~ Timothy Monger