Music Review
Lykke Li, a Swedish indie artist, is armed with a voice that can’t be ignored. It has such a sweet and childlike quality that contradicts her 24 years of age. Don’t let that young voice fool you—she has a lot of attitude—how many indie singers can pull off a cover A Milli by Lil’ Wayne? It should come as no surprise that this Swedish star has made quite a name for herself in North America.
Many of you may know her because Toronto’s own Drake remixed her single Little Bit. Drake, like many other musicians, sought her out for one obvious reason: she has talent.
Other than her knack for covering popular songs, she has created her own record label, LL Recordings and she writes her own music.
In 2008, she released her debut album, Youth Novels. It was produced by Björn Yttling, one of the genii behind Peter Bjorn and John (another great Swedish band). In 2009 her ballad Possibility was featured on the New Moon soundtrack.
Lykke is currently working on her second album. If you haven’t heard of her before this, you can count on hearing about her soon and I would say that today is your lucky day.
To describe Lykke Li in one word, it would be “versatile”.
Her music is mostly a mixture of pop, electronic and alternative. Songs like This Trumpet in My Head will satisfy any craving you may have for Spanish-inspired guitars and My Love’s luscious melody and background vocals evoke memories of the ‘50s doo-wop era.
You’ll find that the meaning behind her songs are quite diverse. True to its title, Youth Novels explores youth in the form of a musical diary. While listening, you’re able to delve into the ups and downs of love and relationships through many different perspectives—a shy girl, an emotional girl, a smitten girl…Lykke Li has a song for everyone.
As for the actual sound, your senses will enjoy melodies that range from the typical piano and acoustic guitar to the highly unusual theremin and kazoo. These are all accompanied by heavy bass—the low pitches contrast her high voice which creates a nice balance.
Whether you’re looking for a cheery tune or some sympathy for a broken heart, Lykke Li has got something for you.
Lykke Li is full of surprises, but there’s one thing that you can be certain of: you’ll can expect great tunes from her.
Selia Verres is a Music writer for The Scene in TO.
Email her at: selia@thesceneinTO.com
Watch Lykke li perform A Milli live below:
Selia Verres is a Music writer for The Scene in TO.
Email her at: selia@thesceneinTO.com
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I saw Lykke Li at the Pheonix Concert Hall last year in TO. She rocked it out! The show was awesome. Thanks for talking about her here! Keep em comin. Lykke Li is sick!
Nice read Selia! I ‘Lykke’ it.
Overall this album is amazing and Lykke proves she can do all tempos. Only really two songs that I don’t like, Hanging on High and Window Blues, which are only of this quality b/c of how great the other tracks are; put them on an Avril CD and you get the 2 best tracks she has ever made!
Also, I am very disappointed to say that while all ages can go to a 50 Cent concert (I don’t know why you would want to)a Lykke Li concert is a MATURE RATING! What?? There are no vulgar lyrics or suggestive content, the only reason this is in place is because her venues are usually in clubs, but you are more likely to get shot or be put in danger at a 50 Cent concert that at Lykke Li’s, because I don’t know many thugs who like alternative music (no offense thugs).
I agree wholeheartedly that age limits are really annoying, but it’s the promoter who determines the limit, not the venue. If it makes you feel any better, she has an all ages concert coming up in May! But I think it’s sold out…
You know what’s funny? The day after this comment came out on the site there was a write up in the metro about how bad Avril’s new cd was. Very poignant that commenter above wrote “Hanging on High and Window Blues, which are only of this quality b/c of how great the other tracks are; put them on an Avril CD and you get the 2 best tracks she has ever made!” I thought it was very timely. Maybe it’s the same person who reviewed the cd so poorly….Not sure it’s fair about the gangster comment though…
Been hearing a lot from Lykke on the radio in the past couple of weeks. Have you heard her new album yet Selia? Is it any good? How does it compare to this one?
@Radiohead
I personally don’t like Wounded Rhymes as much as Youth Novels. If you’re like Just a Lykke Bit and you didn’t like ‘Hanging High’ or ‘Window Blues’, you may not like this album too much.
It’s not bad, but it definitely has a darker mood—most of the songs are a lot slower, sadder, and simpler than Youth Novels. Again, that’s not a bad thing, but the main reason I started listening to her was because of her innocent, girlish sound. This album is more ‘grown up’. Having said that, she sounds a lot more confident vocally and her versatility is a definite plus.
My top tracks are ‘Get Some’, ‘I Follow Rivers’, and ‘Love out of Lust’. The other tracks are slowly growing on me.