Swedish indie pop singer Lykke Li is back with her sophomore studio album. The singer has claimed that Wounded Rhymes, an album about separation, is also personal reflection of her life, almost imitating her diary.
Her debut album, Youth Novels, didn’t sell well in the U.S., but critically, it was well received. Other artists liked it too — among other remixes, two Youth Novels singles were remixed by Drake and 3OH!3.
Though they’ve never recorded in the same room, Lykke Li collaborated with Kanye West and Santogold for “Gifted,” a track from hip-hop duo N.A.S.A’s debut album. She has also appeared on a ballad track, “Possibility,” for the film New Moon.
This 10-track album shows a mature Lykke Li. Her trademark soft, soothing vocals are now sassy and confident, and paired with poignant lyrics.
In the lead single “Get Some,” listeners may mistake the meaning of song to be about sex: “I’m your prostitute, you gon’ get some.” Instead, Lykke Li told The Guardian that the track is about the power of a woman being able to make a man fantasize about her. The repetitive beating drums and authoritative tone of her voice help build the fantasy world conjured up through Lykke Li’s track.
For the second single, “I Follow Rivers,” the instruments are used to quietly build up a dysfunctional feeling, reflecting the message of the track: the singer’s strong desire to follow a lover. The catchy chorus seems to save the meaning and draw attention away from it turning into a bizarre obsession.
Lykke Li’s strength is in her ability to evoke the necessary emotions to pull off each track. On the uplifting and empowering “Youth Knows No Pain,” Lykke Li seems to urge women to be independent. “Sadness is a Blessing” is lyrically relatable by its slow drawing out of her emotions, which seems to invite listeners to do the same.
The album’s longest song, “I Know Places,” uses few instruments to develop a sense of inevitable departure. What makes it stand out from the rest is that the first four minutes consist of lyrics, whereas the last two minutes transition to an instrumental break, maybe symbolizing an irreversible change.
With Wounded Rhymes, Lykke Li has been able to show listeners a refined style. She has taken her weak areas and tweaked them to her advantage. Lykke Li is in control of her music and she demonstrates confidence in her sound, even when she’s a far cry from mainstream pop.
