Album Review: Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

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Lykke Li, the Swedish-born chanteuse turned heads in 2008 with her full length debut Youth Novels. It was a solid effort featuring slight instrumentation, a simple guitar pluck here, a piano plink there, eking a delicate framework for her sweet vocals. Charming and sugary, Youth Novels attracted a lot of fans and built anticipation for her follow-up. However, the persona Lykke Li inhabits for Wounded Rhymes was definitely unexpected. Gone are the cutesy coos and the come hither delivery. Like a long shadow, the stories creep over and inhabit the listener well after the album is over.

The psychedelic keys are on full blast on "Youth Knows No Pain" where Lykke Li opens with both barrels blazing. The tough, seedy and impassioned point of view she takes on her lyrics for Wounded Rhymes reminds of the gum-popping, girl groups of the sixties. Artists such as The Shangri-Las, The Crystals and The Ronettes have been huge influences to many modern all female bands. Whereas many of those indie outfits didn't have the chops to wail and purr like the gals from that golden era, Lykke Li employs the right emotive inflections needed for each situation. The plaintive cries on "Unrequited Love" are pitch perfect are come complete with backup doo-wops making the point punctuated. That familiar "Leader of the Pack" beat on "Sadness Is A Blessing" is a necessary reminder of that Wall Of Sound era and Lykke Li manages to stand tall with the booming percussion. She gets sultry and suggestive on singles "Get Some" and "I Follow Rivers", modernizing and empowering the classic image of that tortured girl hopelessly in love with the bad boy. She is the naughty one and makes no apologies for it. All in all Wounded Rhymes is a coming-of-age for Lykke Li and the little ingénue is all grown up. The slinky torch songs, throwback homages and tender ballads have the proper amount of spark from the past while giving the appropriate attitude for today.

Right-click to download "Get Some" here. Right-click to download "I Follow Rivers" here.

Purchase Wounded Rhymes here.

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes (full album)

Lykke Li Previews Another Track, Remix From Forthcoming Album

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The Swedish chanteuse Lykke Li grabbed some early attention for her forthcoming LP Wounded Rhymes with "Get Some", an intense little number where her lyrics take the role of a lusty lady of the evening. (Read my post and listen to "Get Some" here.) Now with the March 1 street date approaching, the listening public is graced with another gift in "I Follow Rivers". The sultry track is flecked with idiosyncratic percussion and a rhythm suited for belly dancing. She coos seductively throughout, pledging to follow her affections to the depths of the ocean. It is another aggressive number with sensual overtones from a woman who has locked into a powerful voice for her upcoming release. As a bonus, a remix featuring house piano and a driven tempo is given below as well. Although the sped-up mix takes the seduction out of her voice, the result has her sounding a lot like Stevie Nicks. Depending on who you are, that might be a good thing.

Pre-order Wounded Rhymes here.

Right click to download "I Follow Rivers" for free here.

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers


Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)

New Lykke Li Single Available For Free

The Swedish singer Lykke Li made a lot of noise with her low key debut Youth Novels back in 2008. The ethereal, come-hither nature of her voice conjoining with the varied reflections shown on her tracks made for a promising debut. Those promises have come to fruition with the freebie release of her latest single. Although the physical 7 inch will be available next week on Rough Trade, fans can submit their email and get the track and the b-side now.

The single "Get Some" stomps with a primitive drumbeat and Lykke Li's familiar sensual vocals cooing then urging through the song's hip swaying style. Being such a departure from Youth Novels, the new track makes quite the impression. B-side "Paris Blue" is a torch song bathed in chilly acoustic guitar and reverberating ambiance which is much more characteristic with it's delicate ways. At this point, there is no new information on a new album, but something has to be on the horizon soon.

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Download the new single here.

Purchase Lykke Li Youth Novels here.

Lykke Li - Get Some


Lykke Li - Paris Blue


Bonus: Lykke Li was also featured on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack. Give it a listen and download it below.

Lykke Li – Possibility