She debuted in 2008 with the compelling and acclaimed pop album ‘Youth Novels’ back in 2008 and spent the following two years touring the world before relocating to Los Angeles to write the followup. ‘Wounded Rhymes’ it’s called and as that title suggests, we’re not in for a really happy ride with Lykke Li.

Who are they?
The now 24 year-old Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson as she’s named at birth, here collaborating with Björn Yttling (Peter Bjorn And John), who’s again handled production and co-written the music for all 10 tracks, and award winning American songwriter/producer Rick Nowels (Madonna, Jewel, Cee-Lo Green, k.d. Lang among many others), who’s lend his writing skills to five songs.

How’s the album?
It seems sour love is the only love fate sees fit to bestow upon Lykke Li. Where ‘Youth Novels’ was based on the heartache of a three year on-off relationship this time the (again) very personal lyrics deal with a messy breakup, while touching on female empowerment (‘Get Some’ a biting statement to the power of the pussy in the ongoing battle of the sexes). Set to the darker, more aggressive musical backdrop and with Li’s determined wish to change people’s perception of her as an artist through a rawer, more varied vocal delivery, ‘Wounded Rhymes’ makes for an intense experience.

Check it out if you like:
The Knife, Robyn, The Shangri-Las and the sound and feel of Phil Spector girl-groups.

More Lykke Li:
On MySpace
On Facebook
On www

Genre: Pop/Alternative
Who: Lykke Li
Album: Wounded Rhymes
Label: LL Recordings/EMI
Year: 2011
Country: Sweden
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
Youth Knows No Pain – I Follow Rivers – Unrequited Love – Get Some – Jerome