After five years of collectively being enraptured by the sheer dysfunction of the Roy family on Succession, it’s refreshing to return to media that diaplays the synchronous possibilities siblings can achieve when they aren’t constantly at each other’s throats. Case in point: Brothers Jonas Rathsman and Franz Novotny have just released their debut album as Modern Tales, Stars Align, via RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue label. “Through this album, we pay homage to the profound bond of brotherhood, celebrating the synergy and creativity that arise when like-minded souls come together,” the duo shared in a press release.
Embracing that band’s prog-electronic structures while producing something mesmerizingly ambient and notably sourced from the same sonic palette as fellow Scandinavian composers like Ólafur Arnalds, Stars Align is an invigorating introduction to the brothers’ music. Yet it’s other “like-minded souls” Rathsman and Novotny cite in the playlist they created for us, which likely serves in part as an array of inspirations in addition to serving its primary objective: to highlight 10 of their favorite bands at least in part comprised of siblings.
From the fairly Modern Tales–ish Disclosure and (fellow Gothenberugers) The Knife to more abstract influences such as CCR and the Bee Gees (well, Novotny does have that falsetto down), check out their picks below. You can also steam Stars Align here.
The Knife, “Heartbeats”
This one was an obvious choice, since they’re from the same city as us: Gothenburg. This song also happens to be one of Franz’s favorites of all time. Honorable mention: José Gonzáles, also from our town, made an incredible cover of this song. There’s something in the water in Gothenburg.
Overmono, “Is U”
We remember Tessela’s “Hackney Parrot,” which we both have been blasting a lot in various speakers way too loud. Only recently did we discover that Overmono was the same person with his brother. This song is really beautiful and sexy—keep up the great work, Overmono!
Disclosure, “Latch”
Very hard to pick a song by Disclosure because of the sheer amount of amazing tunes they’ve done throughout the years, but “Latch” hits all your weak spots at the same time. Guy and Howard are also really amazing, proper lads!
Boards of Canada, “Everything You Do Is a Balloon”
This mysterious and dark song reminds us of Aphex Twin’s “Flim”—it brings out fear, sadness, and excitement at the same time. The sad, tape-sounding synths that we both are suckers for are on point.
The Brothers Johnson, “Stomp!”
Amazing song. Jonas used to play this out a lot on vinyl back in the day, and it’s a song that still today lives up to its standards.
Louie Vega, The Martinez Brothers, & Marc E. Bassy, “Let It Go”
Feel-good song by the legends. It was a very cool and bold move to go all that old school on this tune!
Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Down on the Corner”
Oldie but goodie. This song just makes you want to dance and celebrate life. We need more songs like this.
Orbital, “Tiny Foldable Cities”
We have a love/hate relationship to this song—it’s so weird, but that’s why we love it. Are the sounds in the beginning a modular synth, or is it tiny creatures playing harmonicas? We want to know…
Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive”
We think everybody knows this one, a song that’s brought us joy on the dancefloor since 1977. Fun fact: Up until the age of eight, Franz thought they were singing “Stena Line,” a Swedish ferry boat, so he would walk around and sing “Ah ah ah ah Steena Liiiine.” Rumor has it that he’s still doing it.
Radiohead, “Exit Music (For a Film)”
We’re happy that members of Radiohead are siblings—we had no idea. Radiohead has always been a huge part of our musical lives, and since they’ve been so prolific it was hard to pick one song. This beautiful song is really amazing!
