Review: Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Artist: Lykke Li
Title: Wounded Rhymes
Format: Full-length
Year: 2011
Label: LL Recordings
Genre: Atmospheric Female Pop 
Rating: 86 / 100


Three years after her debut album Youth Novels, here's the sequel Wounded Rhymes, which was released, just like Youth Novels, on her own record label LL Recordings. Lykke Li is the stage name of the Swedish Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson. She plays a very atmospheric style of modern pop music, the overall sound is basically what would happen if M83 and Sarah Blasko would make an album together. It's beat driven music with a very heavy accent on vocal melodies, creating a dreamy cohesive wall not often to be heard in this particular style of music. One of the main reasons for liking her music is the organic, human sound she produces. Most instruments on this album seem to be physical instruments, even 'though there are of course some synthdriven parts to be found, but the main source of melody in her case are both her, often multilayered, vocals and the bassguitar droning underneath.

Everything summed up, you get a release which can actually only be produced by Phil Spector, what? that Lana Clarkson murdering, white man's afro having, almost forgotten 60's producer? Yes, remember the good ol' days when Crystals and The Ronettes were decorating teens bedrooms? This is the first release in years which really reminds me of those Phil Specor girl groups again, especially tracks like Unrequited Love and Sadness in Blessing. The walls of vocal driven melodies, the echoing drums, even the use of the toms. It's all actually pretty similar, the main difference being that this album was released almost 50 years after Spectors golden years. The only thing I am "missing" is the orchestra, but hey, that's Phil Spector, Wounded Rhymes was produced by Björn Yttling (Peter Björn and John).

Maybe this Phil Spector girl group comparison goes a bit far, but I am really happy to finally find something a bit similar to these groups. Especially the enormous spacey production this record has just fascinates me. At first I would have liked to rate this album 81/100, but I'll give this album 5 points extra, for the simple fact that the artwork that comes with this album could have been on a Cocteau Twins 12", and I totally adore Cocteau Twins.

Please everyone, spread the love,

Selwin.