El Perro Del Mar 'God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)' (Hybris/Memphis Industries, 2005)

So simple, yet so sweet and original. El Perro Del Mar is the nom-de-pop of Gothenburg singer and songwriter Sarah Assbring.

I stumbled on this track somewhere in the blogosphere (aren't blogs great...) a few years ago and now await new releases like Christmas and birthday rolled into one. EPDM (not to be confused with EPMD) deal in delicate pop miniatures with aching harmonies, sweeping strings and oceans of poise.

'God Know (You Gotta Give To Get)' is just the most gorgeous song, almost frail but with a determined inner strength keeping it (her) going. It comes in on a swell of strings and a laid-back version of the Motown stomp, heading quickly to a reflective verse before dissolving in the sweetest ache of the chorus and then a beautiful instrumental break with perfectly judged brass sliding beneath the strings.

As the song heads to its climax the strings drop out revealing gorgeous backing vocals and the crystalline guitar chords. Perfection. On repeat in heaven surely.

Download El Perro Del Mar 'God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)' (mp3) (Pitchfork)