LYKKE LI: Youth Novels

By Lyndsey Matthews

August 25, 2008
Originally published at CMJ.com

In the infectious ditty "Dance Dance Dance," Lykke Li sings, "My hips they lie, because in reality I'm shy shy shy," which pretty well sums up her music. It's daring and shifty, but in a rather subdued and subtle manner. On the 22-year-old Swede's coming-of-age debut she churns out bright electro-pop at one moment, and then turns around and pumps out tracks full of live instrumentation and delicately soulful crooning at another. Her voice has the same charming fragility as that of fellow Swede and sometime tour mate, El Perro Del Mar. However, Lykke's pop is less lilting and much more kinetic, infused with the restless energy of a young woman itching to get her heart broken.


Web: lykkili.com

RIYL: Peter Bjorn And John, El Perro Del Mar, Feist

Record Label: LL Recordings