Radio Dept. Feel Compelled to Write About 'Crazy' Politics

On Jan. 25, Swedish indie-pop trio the Radio Dept. will release 'Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010,' a collection of tracks not found on any of their three proper studio albums. Among the tunes included on the two-disc set will be 'The New Improved Hypocrisy,' a deceptively tranquil synth-pop ballad released back in September on the eve of Sweden's national elections.

The song takes aim at right-wing politicians, such as those in the Sweden Democrats party, which wound up grabbing 20 seats in parliament. That Sweden has grown increasingly conservative in recent years may come as a surprise to some liberal Americans, who have long admired the Scandinavian nation's socialist policies. The Radio Dept. don't often tour the United States but whenever they do, multi-instrumentalist Martin Carlberg is surprised to hear how much people envy his government.

"It's interesting, when you talk to people in America, you have great hopes for Sweden," Carlberg says. "They want to go there and everything seems great, and people in Sweden have these same ideas about America. They look to America as the way to go. We're influenced by extreme commercialism and capitalism: 'That's the way you should go.' The average Swedish person looks to America and sees the future, and it's kind of weird when you go to America and [discover] you look to Sweden."

While the Radio Dept. aren't an overtly political band, Carlberg and songwriting partner Johann Duncansson, the group's lead singer, have been known to enter the fray. Their 2008 single 'Freddie and the Trojan Horse' was another critique of the far right, and looking ahead, Carlberg says the band may continue writing about national affairs.

"It's hard not to get involved in politics when the situation is like it is," Carlberg says. "It's crazy and you have to do something. You're a part of the world. You can't just relax and say, 'I'm just in a pop band.' But I'm politically active right now, so I think probably it will show in the songs in the future, but hopefully not. Hopefully we don't have to feel that we have to say something, but for the moment -- for the next four years -- I think we have to."