Amanda Mair

Stockholm's latest teen talent is 17-year-old Amanda Ulrika Magdalena Mair, who—like Lykke Li and Robyn before her—establishes a pop sound that's both accessible and arranged with enough intelligence to attract serious listeners. Producer Philip Ekstrom, of Sweden's estimable Mary Onettes, does a neat balancing act, remaining true to Mair's teenage roots while providing her with a sophisticated sound that's wise beyond its years. Other Swedish pop pros (Johan Angergard, Pelle Carlberg, Roger Gunnarsson) come aboard to write much of the material. "House," which received comparisons to Kate Bush, is a capable piece of dream-pop that creates romance and features a wandering beat that emerges from the turmoil. "Said and Done" throws in a raga-like opening lick among the synthesizers. "Sense" bops with enthusiasm, but there's a lingering hangover in the melody that assures us that even young love can't escape feelings of potential doom. The music-box intimacy of "Skinnarviksberget" proves her torch-ballad pipes.