The Swedish superhero DJs are widely recognized for being at the forefront of the progressive house music genre, and they’ve done so with a minimalist approach. Since 2008, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Steve Angello have given the electronic dance community a unique look at the production of music and collaboration. Although they have not put out mass volumes of tracks, the songs they do release always seem to lift any live audience into a sea of arms and glow stick explosions (note the massive Coachella 2012 set).
In 2007, the trio came together and got down with Laidback Luke on their first collaborative track called “Get Dumb,” which began the Swedish House Mafia project. After the song took off, the trio gained a strong European following and embarked on tour together. They signed a record deal in 2010 with Polydor Records that set them up to produce the first Swedish House Mafia track “One” and gain massive success throughout Europe. Soon after this track was released, a vocal version “One (Your Name)” featuring Pharrell hit the airwaves travelling West at top speed.
It didn’t take long for these guys to get their beats out to America. With “One” being such a success, the boys got together again and created the poppy, progressive house classic “Miami 2 Ibiza,” which was released on the group’s first album Until One. This record featured the two previous songs, as well as remixes as Swedish House Mafia and as individual DJs.
Soon after “One,” they became true superheroes with their single “Save The World” that asks the question: “Who’s gonna save the world tonight?” They answered that question rather quickly with the success of this track. “Save The World” became an instant hit, as did their Knife Party collaboration “Antidote,” which gives listeners a darker, harder-hitting house/dubstep counterpart to their usual uplifting and optimistic sound.
Swedish House Mafia have received endorsements from Absolute Vodka, which lead to the track “Greyhound,” and an interactive DJ mix controller on the Absolute website.
However, nothing this good lasts forever. Following the release of “Don’t You Worry Child,” the trio announced that they would do “One Last Tour” and go on hiatus. With the small amount of original tracks these guys have produced, they have been able to spin their way into the hearts of millions. Who’s gonna save the world now?
