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First Spin: Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

February 24th, 2011



Listen to Lykke Li’s new album Wounded Rhymes here before it’s released!

Need to Know: A welcomed, refreshing sound in the independent scene, Lykke Li was dubbed buzz-worthy when she debuted in 2008. Her first album, Youth Novel, placed the Sweden-based singer on the map with its electronic-piano-saxophone arrangements, soft vocals and catchy choruses. Extensive touring and performances at Coachella and Lollapalooza gave her greater exposure and laid down the groundwork for some mainstream attention. Her song Little Bit was sampled on Drake’s mixtape So Far Gone, and in late 2009, Li contributed a hauntingly standout track, Possibility, to The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s soundtrack. With such noteworthy appearances and her dangerously flirty track Get Some, Lykke Li will certainly be amongst the most talked about artists in 2011.

In 100 Words or So: Lykke Li has managed to deliver a very daring follow up to her 2008 pop centric sounding album, Youth Novel. Booming, tribal-like drums, powerful ballads, and whispery, sultry, soulful vocals characterize this record, demonstrating a sense of adaptability that many artists struggle to achieve. Whether it is the flirtatiousness of Get Some, the vulnerability of Silent My Song, or the melancholy of Unrequited Love, Lykke Li triumphs in her efforts, creating a world where you can dance to the rhythms and simultaneously cry because of the words. Although Wounded Rhymes is mostly dark and conflicted in its stories and lyrics, it showcases the experience and maturity one would hope for from a second album, making for a worthwhile listen.

Best Tracks: Love Out of Lust, Get Some, I Follow Rivers, Silent My Song

RIYL: Robyn, Florence + the Machine

Rating: 8/10

Buy, Download, Steal or Don’t Bother: Download

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