Work smarter

Swedish indie-rock band the Shout Out Louds released a song, called “Wish I Were Dead,” that brought them fame in 2003.

Seven years later, the band probably still wishes they were dead. Hard times have only gotten harder, which means harder work is required.

Their latest offering, “Work,” reflects on the past few years via slow-burning melancholy and ’80s grooves. 

“Throwing Stones” gets the thesis down pat: “If you think I’m slowing down / I’m not slowing down,” lead vocalist Adam Olenius croons. 

On the strength of a dizzying bassline and Lauper-esque oohs and ahs, “1999” reminisces on that pivotal moment in history when Americans were just learning of their obsession with celebrity and the Internet, but times were still whimsical. Even though things only seem to be getting worse, “Paper Moon” provides a bittersweet faith in something more: “Moon is watching over us / In the dark, I dare to tell you.”

The overall message, while daunting, is still effective. What’s missing is that to succeed these days, you gotta work smarter, not harder.