Stylistically, melodically too, we are clearly in the wake of Youth Novels, Lykke Li has not profoundly changed his world or his writing. It's always this indie pop that sails between retro-lounge and dream-pop with electroïde in crown jewel, the post-adolescent voice of Miss Li.
We note this time the addition of Rick Nowels (including insight alongside Sinead O'Connor, Yusuf Islam, Stevie Nicks and a bunch of small transient glories) as co-author of more than half of the songs without a real difference in tone is not being felt but we must say that the strong personality of Lykke easily vampirizes melodies she sings. The key is then obviously the quality of compositions and arrangements which, once again, in never making too, pass the clash of influences of their author and hold impeccably road without wearing after a few too short plays.
Far above its main competitors (the enervating Lana Del Rey or overestimated Anna Calvi), Lykke Li demonstrates that it is more than a pretty face and a beautiful little thin voice, an artist that will need to follow developments a career that promises to be exciting. Until then, we already have two albums so enjoy the excellent youngest, both intimate and entertaining, confirms all the good previously glimpsed.
Staff:
- Lykke Li: vocals
- Zhala Rifat, Mariam Walentin, choirs
- Björn Yttling: bass, organ, percussion, piano, guitar, backing vocals
- Lars Skoglund, John Eriksson: drums, percussion
- Dag Lindquist, Hans Stenlund, Lassie Marten: percussions
- Rick Nowels: organ, piano
- Anders Stenberg: guitar, vocals
- Micke Svensson: guitar
