Ladies and Gentlemen, Lykke Li.

2011’s Wounded Rhymes was my introduction to the Swedish singer-songwriter. Friends and a back-of-the-crowd 2008 Lollapalooza experience had me curious, but I wasn’t truly intrigued until seeing the music video for “Sadness is a Blessing”.

Now I’m hooked.

Lykke Li has the ability to be captivating through her voice alone. Just put on your earphones and submit to it. She can simultaneously convey pain, passion and beauty.

On “Youth Knows No Pain”, she talk-sings with space and command. On “Love Out of Lust”, she croons and subtly lifts a floating chorus. On “Unrequited Love” she shows us simple and direct beauty.

Most of my favorite artists are known for weaker, but passionate vocals. Here, Li isn’t just passionate. And she doesn’t just hit the notes. She excels at giving the songs feeling and poignancy.

Then there’s the rest of the original sound. Tribal-like percussion. Layers extending foreground to background. Fused genres from indie pop to doo-wop.

What’s not to like?

The same goes for her words. Much of them seem to be devoted to the complications of losing one’s youth. And while I don’t completely get everything she goes for, I enjoy it regardless.

Why? Because Lykke Li is probably the most compelling female in music. Captivating through your speakers alone, watch out when you actually see her.

You could follow her anywhere. I know I would.

Favorite Tracks

• “Unrequited Love” - Simple electric guitar and patting drums like a classic 50’s song w/ occasional backup vocals. It’s uncomplicated, but not without its pain. It’s unrequited love, but she must move on.
• “Get Some” - Maracas! Hip-hop drums! Brooding low synth and crawling guitar so you know it’s gon’ be dirty. I love that she says “gon’” instead of “going to” or even “gonna”. About a prostitute giving oral, but it represents the feelings and unique power of being a woman in the music industry.
• “Sadness Is A Blessing” - From the dragging drum stick to the bass piano and her sad-lovely pipes, I’m sucked right in. The chorus lifts to the heavens. I don’t quite know what “sadness” is. She can appreciate feeling sadness as perhaps it leads to inspiration of art. Although she never finishes the idea that way.