Neutral's seminal album, Grå Våg Gamlestaden, is widely considered ground zero for the explosion of creativity that has transpired in the Swedish Underground ever since. It is the noisy experimental rock album that opened the door and welcomed in so many artists working behind the scenes. Gothenburgers Dan Johansson (Sewer Election) and Sofie Herner had previously made music together in the band Källarbarnen when they started discussing a new methodology and a fresh sound for recordings in 2013 under a new name as a duo. After witnessing Herner and Johansson's live performance in an artist's studio in the spring 2014, Gustaf Dicksson, who was running the Omlott record label at the time as well as performing under his own moniker, Blod, offered to release an album by Neutral on the spot. Herner recorded most of the instruments and voice, Johansson worked on manipulating the recordings, experimenting with reel-to-reel techniques. The title of the album translates as "Grey Wave Gamlestaden" and was chosen as an inside joke about the neighbourhood Gamlestaden where Johansson and Herner lived. A major theme on the recording is a certain kind of bleakness but with a wry smile closely identified with the spirit of the neighborhood. In the fall of 2014 Grå Våg Gamlestaden was released, limited to 200 copies, and sold out quickly without many copies making it outside of Sweden. Around the same time, Johansson and Herner joined forces with other underground artists in their widening circle to form a sort of Gothenburg supergroup making music together as Enhet för Fri Musik. Grapefruit's reissue of Grå Våg Gamlestaden is the first time Neutral's masterpiece has seen the light of day since it sold out quickly in 2014. This vinyl-only gatefold reissue is limited to 300 copies.
Release date:
May 14, 2021
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.
Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Charlotte Cornfield Hurts Like Hell
Merge Records
March 27, 2026 -
Phoebe Rings Aseurai ("Blue Butterfly" Blue And Clear Splatter)
Carpark Records
March 27, 2026 -
The Amity Affliction House of Cards
Pure Noise Records
April 24, 2026 -
Malevolent Creation 13th Beast
Back On Black
March 20, 2026 -
The Black Crowes A Pound of Feathers
Silver Arrow Records
March 13, 2026 -
James Blake Trying Times [2xLP]
Good Boy Records
March 13, 2026 -
The Hello Crows The Hello Crows
Castle Records
February 27, 2026 -
The Lone Bellow What A Time To Be Alive
Burly Bellow Music
February 13, 2026 -
Spencer Mackenzie Empty Chairs
Gypsy Soul Records
February 27, 2026 -
Joshua Idehen I Know You’re Hurting, Everyone Is Hurting, Everyone Is Trying, You Have Got To Try
Heavenly
March 6, 2026 -
JOE JACKSON HOPE AND FURY
SIN/ITALY 15
April 10, 2026 -
New Found Glory Listen Up!
Pure Noise Records
February 20, 2026 -
Tori Amos In Times of Dragons [2xLP]
Decca
May 1, 2026 -
Sananda Maitreya Juvenilia: The Columbia Years [6xLP]
Music On Vinyl
February 13, 2026