Weekly Release Spotlight: Lykke Li
Posted on 4/03/2011
Lykke Li
Wounded Rhymes
[Atlantic]
Wounded Rhymes
[Atlantic]
The first time I searched for ‘Lykke Li’ on the internet I thought I had mistakingly typed ‘Lady Gaga.’ Their physical resemblance is the only character the two have in common. Hailing from Scandinavia, Lykke Li has been influenced by her fellow Swedes, ABBA. She brings out their ‘popiness,’ but not annoyingly so. Her second full-length album and follow-up to Youth Novels (out in 2008), Wounded Rhymes is again produced by the experienced Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John. This collaboration leaves little room for the resulting album to be anything less than awe-inspiring.
While Wounded Rhymes shows how Lykke Li has matured through her lyrics, the album is similar in style to Youth Novels. Banging drums and wooden blocks, abstract harmonies and soft guitar melodies are featured in both albums. All very simple, Lykke does a superb job of bringing them all together to create her distinctive musical style.
With the upbeat “Youth Knows No Pain” and “I Follow Rivers,” Lykke starts off the album with lyrically lighter material that progressively takes the listener to the slow and low-key “Love Out of Lust.” Lyrics like, “The higher I fall, the deeper I fall down, I’m running out of time, so let’s dance while we’re waiting,” proves that Li’s Wounded Rhymes shows multiple sides to her personality. Lykke Li seamlessly blends the heart-rendering tracks to the refreshing and upbeat “Get Some” where she playfully says, “I’m your prostitute, you ‘gon get some.” The next few tracks give a lonely, vulnerable impression and a raw feeling of sexual drive from a desolate soul. “Silent Is My Song” ends the album where the track name gives the listener a satisfying end to the album.
Lykke Li has now recorded two full-length, critically acclaimed albums, several EPs, and has collaborated with an assortment of indie veterans, all by the age of 25. We can only expect the best from her in the future.
While Wounded Rhymes shows how Lykke Li has matured through her lyrics, the album is similar in style to Youth Novels. Banging drums and wooden blocks, abstract harmonies and soft guitar melodies are featured in both albums. All very simple, Lykke does a superb job of bringing them all together to create her distinctive musical style.
With the upbeat “Youth Knows No Pain” and “I Follow Rivers,” Lykke starts off the album with lyrically lighter material that progressively takes the listener to the slow and low-key “Love Out of Lust.” Lyrics like, “The higher I fall, the deeper I fall down, I’m running out of time, so let’s dance while we’re waiting,” proves that Li’s Wounded Rhymes shows multiple sides to her personality. Lykke Li seamlessly blends the heart-rendering tracks to the refreshing and upbeat “Get Some” where she playfully says, “I’m your prostitute, you ‘gon get some.” The next few tracks give a lonely, vulnerable impression and a raw feeling of sexual drive from a desolate soul. “Silent Is My Song” ends the album where the track name gives the listener a satisfying end to the album.
Lykke Li has now recorded two full-length, critically acclaimed albums, several EPs, and has collaborated with an assortment of indie veterans, all by the age of 25. We can only expect the best from her in the future.
Stream: Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"