Watermelon Men - 4 Heartbeats

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Review by victoria ambros

Album Review: "4 Heartbeats" by Watermelon Men – A Swedish Rock Gem from 1993 Released in 1993 under the labels Fat Lady Records and Amigo, 4 Heartbeats by Watermelon Men is a compelling dive into the raw energy of indie rock, garage rock, and folk rock. Hailing from Sweden, this album doesn’t just blend genres—it smashes them together like a reckless teenager at a house party. With its stripped-down production and heartfelt lyricism, it feels less like a polished studio effort and more like an intimate jam session that somehow made it onto vinyl. The lineup behind the record reads like a who’s who of underrated talent: Erik Illes on vocals brings a raspy charm that sticks to your brain like gum under a desk; Hans Sacklén’s basslines are so groovy they could make even your grandma tap her feet. And let’s not forget Ola Jameson on drums—his beats feel like the heartbeat of the whole project (pun kinda intended). Producer Ossi Bashiri ties everything together with a mix that's refreshingly unpolished yet full of character. Let's talk tracks. If you’ve got time for only one song, start with the title track, 4 Heartbeats. It kicks off with a guitar riff from Imre von Polgár that sounds like someone scraping rusty nails against a tin roof—but in a good way! The harmonica solo by Johan Lundberg adds this unexpected bluesy vibe, giving the track depth without overcomplicating things. You remember this tune because it’s messy in all the right ways, like a late-night conversation where everyone talks over each other but somehow still makes sense. Then there’s Green Green Grass, which stands out as the most radio-friendly cut here—if Swedish indie rock had been big enough back then to get much airplay. The strings arranged by Aram Afsahi, Borit Afsahi, and Leif Lund give it a lush, almost cinematic quality. It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, popping into your head while you're stuck in traffic or waiting in line at the grocery store. Jonas Rehn’s keyboard work deserves special mention here—it’s subtle, but once you notice it, you can’t unhear how perfectly it complements the melody. What really sets this album apart is its authenticity. There’s no pretense, no attempt to be something it’s not. Even the cover art by Atelier Estilo has this DIY aesthetic that screams “we didn’t care what anyone thought.” And honestly? That’s why people still listen to it today. In a world obsessed with perfection, 4 Heartbeats reminds us that imperfection can be beautiful too. Oddly enough, listening to this record feels like flipping through an old photo album. It’s nostalgic, sure, but also oddly comforting. Like finding a forgotten mixtape in your attic and realizing it’s better than half the stuff on Spotify. So if you’re looking for something real, something gritty, something that smells faintly of cigarette smoke and spilled beer—this might just be the album for you. Who knew Swedish rockers could capture the human experience so well?

Download Watermelon Men - 4 Heartbeats
Artist: Watermelon Men
Album: 4 Heartbeats
Rating: 3.5

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: watermelon-men-4-heartbeats.zip
  • MP3 size: 20.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 169.5 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Green Green Grass4:58
Back In The Real World3:33
4 Heartbeats3:57

Images

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Catalog Numbers

SLIMCD 005

Labels

Fat Lady Records, Amigo

Listen online

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Formats

  • CD
  • EP

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtKMH Studios
Mixed AtKMH Studios
Published BySweden Music Ab

Credits

RoleCredit
BassHans Sacklén
CoverAtelier Estilo
DrumsOla Jameson
GuitarImre von Polgár
HarmonicaJohan Lundberg
KeyboardsJonas Rehn
Mixed ByMike Bigwood
Photography ByBjörn Lofterud
ProducerOssi Bashiri, Watermelon Men
StringsAram Afsahi, Borit Afsahi, Leif Lund
Arranged ByAram Afsahi, Borit Afsahi, Leif Lund
VocalsErik Illes

Notes

Card sleeve.

Barcodes

Barcode: 7 391957 040380

About Watermelon Men

Swedish pop/rock band from Uppsala. Watermelon Men came to be counted among the wave of Swedish pop and rock bands in the 1980s that was introduced under the name garage rock. That wave was documented on the compilation album "A Real Cool Time - Distorted Sounds From The North" and of course Watermelon Men is included. During the period between ABBA and Roxette, these groups still gained some attention outside the country's borders. Watermelon But they were among the more successful bands in the wave and they achieved great success in Germany and in England, among other places, they ended up on the cover of the then important music magazine Sounds.

Name Vars

  • The Watermelon Men
  • W. Man
  • Watermelon Man

Members

  • Erik Westin
  • Imre von Polgár
  • Johan Lundberg
  • Hans Sacklén
  • Erik Illes

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool little nugget for you: The album *4 Heartbeats* by Swedish rock band Watermelon Men is like a time capsule of 1993 indie vibes. It blends garage, folk, and indie rock into this raw, heartfelt sound. Fun fact—there are actual string arrangements on the album, done by three talented musicians: Aram Afsahi, Borit Afsahi, and Leif Lund. Not something you’d expect from a garage rock record, right? And check out the harmonica work by Johan Lundberg—it adds this unexpected bluesy touch that makes the whole thing feel alive. Definitely worth a listen if you’re into music that feels both nostalgic and fresh.