[2025] A roundup of recommended popular bands from Sweden

Jerk It OutCaesars

Caesars Palace – Jerk It Out (Official Video)

Formed in 1995, they’re a band with a long career, but they were especially active in the 2000s as a four-piece.

When it comes to their signature song, it’s gotta be “Jerk It Out,” which was featured in an iPod TV commercial.

Back in the 2000s, having your song in an iPod ad was like a rite of passage for new bands and artists to break through.

That distinctive keyboard riff and the catchy, memorable melody still sound cool even today!

young folksPeter Bjorn & John

Peter Bjorn And John – Young Folks

An indie rock trio best known for their classic hit “Young Folks,” affectionately known as the “whistling song.” Just hearing the intro of this track—along with its fun animated music video—likely brings back memories for many.

Their songs, born from a Nordic-style, unadorned melody and a band ensemble that may not be flashy but radiates good taste throughout, are all high-quality pop numbers.

Be sure to check out their tracks beyond “Young Folks,” too.

We Don’t Celebrate SundaysHardcore Superstar

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR / We Don’t Celebrate Sundays

Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, this four-piece bunch of rough-and-tumble rockers enjoys strong popularity mainly across Europe.

Their bad-boy rock style—heavily influenced by flashy ’80s American hard rock and rock ’n’ roll—may never have broken into the mainstream, but it’s exactly the kind of presence you want to exist in any era.

Their tough looks might intimidate some, yet within the raw sound you’ll find surprisingly accessible, sparklingly catchy melodies and riffs.

Wake Me UpDIRTY LOOPS

Dirty Loops – Wake Me Up

A trio with a pedigree that includes moving on from Södra Latin Music School, one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions, to the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.

They rose to fame in the early 2010s by showcasing cover songs on the internet—a now-common approach—and followed a success story that saw them discovered by the maestro David Foster.

Their sound, an exquisite blend of fusion and pop underpinned by outstanding technique, enjoys strong popularity in Japan as well.

Pumpin’ BloodNONONO

NONONO – Pumpin Blood (Official Video)

Sweden seems to be a land that regularly produces high-quality pop groups.

The electropop group with the unusual name “NoNoNo” is one of them.

Their debut single, “Pumpin Blood,” released in 2013, became a hit not only in their home country but around the world, instantly bringing their name to wider recognition.

Their sound and melodies, filled with a distinctive freshness and clarity not found in the UK or the US, can rightly be called a hallmark of the Nordics.

Hello ScotlandEf

EF – Hello Scotland

If you’re someone who likes the genre known as post-rock, you can’t help but feel a thrill when you see the words “post-rock from Scandinavia.” The most famous is probably Iceland’s Sigur Rós, but ef, formed in Gothenburg, Sweden, is also a wonderful band.

They have that characteristically Nordic, cool touch; the fusion of rock dynamism with gorgeous cello melodies, and a band ensemble that moves fluidly between stillness and intensity—simply the best.

Living in AmericaThe Sounds

Living in America

Their 2002 debut album, Living in America, was a hit not only in their home country of Sweden but also in the United States.

This five-piece band, featuring the sole female vocalist Maja Ivarsson, quickly rose to fame.

Their irresistibly catchy songs channel a shimmering, 1980s-style pop sound reminiscent of Blondie, distilled through a distinctly 2000s sensibility, and every track is a standout.

Their second album, Dying to Say This to You, released in 2006, is highly recommended as well!