07.02.08
It’s not for the cock, its for a tasty Swede.
Lykke Li-Youth Novels-EMI Sweden
The female singer/songwriter label is one that has been struggling to keep its credibility above water for the past couple of years since a group of nice, young ladies decided to drag it arse end through the press. While this circus becomes ever more pathetic other, less headline grabbing, women have been devoting their unfried senses to not wasting their talent and churning out wonderful records from Laura Marling’s ‘Alas, I cannot swim‘ to Bojrk’s ‘Volta‘ and now ‘Youth Novels’ can be added to the list.
Although Li shows an appreciation for other genres on the album, such as the electro slowly bubbling along in ‘Breaking It Up‘ and drum-led folky sound in ‘Tonight’, ‘Youth Novels‘ is a pop record. ‘I’m Good, I’m Gone’, which preceded the album’s release, enjoyed substantial play on radio one and other mainstream stations and is a catchy piece of piano-led sass which could easily have been put together by the likes of Fiest and Rilo Kiley. Along with this track the album is almost full with slices of sassy pop perfection but it has to be said there is the occasional hiccough along the road. ‘My‘, for example, is almost gratingly repetitive even by after its first listen and seems to be building into a crescendo which never quite realises itself.
Production comes from, Peter, Bjorn and John producer, Lasse Marten, and the recording is exceptionally clean and every cow bell, cymbal and drum can be heard crystal clear throughout giving the music an understated feeling of grandeur without taking the focus from Li’s velvety vocals. This style also gives slower tracks such as ‘Melodies & Desires’ and ‘That Trumpet In My Head‘ a dramatic, haunting feeling which isn’t unlike the brilliant Cat Power.
It is the debuts that display an appreciation and understanding of many different styles which are usually the most promising and Li’s ability to do this on ‘Youth Novels’ suggests that with time the Swedish artist could become a treasure to those of us who don’t look for their next music fix in the red tops.
Lykke Li is playing a handful of festivals over the summer you can find them on her Myspace.
G Town said,
July 2, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I’m probably being a bit stoopid, but who are you refering to with other female singer songwriters and the press/tabloids thing?
Maybe I’m just being a bit dumb..?
Princess said,
July 2, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Winehaaaaas and Lily Alan are the main ones that spring to mind?
G Town said,
July 2, 2008 at 1:48 pm
yes I was just coming back onto say I’ve cracked it! I was thinking more along the lines of acoustic, folky guitars- I was begining to wonder what coke snorting antics Katie Melueaueuau had been up to now…
Princess said,
July 2, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Last I heard she was dabbing whatever she could find in the womble’s fur.