Janitors, The 'An Error Has Occurred'

“Everything’s been fucked since David Bowie died or they started up the Hadron Collider,” say The Janitors, capturing the frustration that fuels their latest album, 'An Error Has Occurred'. Marking over two decades of Swedish psych-rock, the album is shaped by both personal heartbreak and the dismal state of the world. For The Janitors, the personal and political are deeply intertwined. Reviving shelved tracks from the 'Noisolation Sessions' and adding new ones, the band channeled their anger into music that flips a middle finger to oppressive forces. This time, the entire album was recorded live in a converted missionary church after intense rehearsals, lending it an immediate, raw power.

Side A of the album carries the menace of the Melvins, the swagger of The Stooges, and the cosmic heft of The Heads, with tracks that feel deceptively poppier. "In A Bliss," the radiant centerpiece, offers a moment of calm, recalling the dreamy tones of The Jesus And Mary Chain. On Side B, The Janitors delve deeper into droning soundscapes influenced by The Velvet Underground and Massive Attack. Tracks like “Operator” swing with space-rock menace, while “Farewell Spacegirl” explores jazzier, meditative textures. For frontman Henric, the album reflects their gratitude for creativity in bleak times, noting how The Janitors have been a lifeline for him and fellow member Jonas.