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The Knife

Who? The Knife — the brother-sister duo of Olof and Karin Dreijer — hail from Stockholm, where fellow Swede Jose Gonzalez helped make the pair famous by crafting a stunning folk cover of their 2003 electro-pop anthem, “Heartbeats,” that appeared in a Sony Bravia television commercial.

What’s the Deal? The Knife make dark dance music that’s as chilling as it is gorgeous on their third album and first U.S. release, Silent Shout. And the album’s title hints at the band’s paradoxical sound: Warm, resonating beats collide against cool, elongated synths. “We Share Our Mother’s Health” is both particularly haunting and totally danceable with its simultaneously tinny and rubbery synths, and Karin’s jerky vox that swirls around Olof’s ululating warble.

Fun Fact: Rather than accept a Grammy in Sweden for Best Pop Act, the Knife sent two friends dressed in gorilla suits to claim the award. Olof declared in a statement this move was to return the media’s focus to the music and away from the people in the music industry. JULIA SIMON

Now Hear This: The Knife – “Silent Shout” (Download MP3 — link expires 10 A.M. on July 27)

Now Watch This: The Knife – “Silent Shout” QUICKTIME HIGH | LOW WINDOWS MEDIA HIGH | LOW

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On the Web: theknife.net