Lo-Fi-Fnk

Leo Drougge, born in Malmö, Sweden, where he contributes vocals, synthesizers, and guitar, formed an electro pop duo with August Hellsing, likewise Malmö-born and focused on synthesizers and percussion, under the name Lo-Fi-Fnk. The pair first connected while attending school and established their partnership in 2001 through a common interest in electronic music. They captured their initial work on tape using vintage methods, resulting in an uneven blend of mellow house and 1980s rock ballads that failed to cohere. During the following four years they concentrated on refining their technical abilities, with Drougge also developing lyrics that aligned with the duo’s warm synth textures.

Moshi Moshi Records, the UK label, discovered Lo-Fi-Fnk in 2005 and immediately arranged international distribution. Their debut release for the imprint, ‘Change Channel’, updated the signature traits of 1980s euro pop for a new millennium audience. The track attracted favorable attention in underground dance circles and entered regular rotation at fashionable pubs and clubs worldwide. Their next single, ‘Wake Up’, arrived in August 2006 and recalled the style of 1980s electro pop artist Howard Jones while remaining immediately catchy and meticulously produced. Further releases appeared throughout 2006 as the duo settled into a studio on the edge of Malmö to record their first album.

Boylife, issued on Moshi Moshi, emerged as a lively addition to electro pop that occupied territory between Au Revoir Simone and New Young Pony, an uncommon achievement within a frequently ephemeral genre.