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Her 2008 debut 'Youth Novels' provided a deliciously dainty example of innocence, love, lust and heartbreak. Which at first glance may seem a relatively simple premise, yet, with the help Bjorn Yttling (Swedish producer and one third of the team behind ‘Young Folks’) Lykke Li created an interesting, bewildering, and charmingly simple brand of pop. Her heavy bass, catchy hooks and candy-coated vocal chords earned her praise amongst the alternative masses and Twilight fans alike. Now in 2011, Lykke is back with Yttling in tow once again with her follow-up album: 'Wounded Rhymes'.
Opening with ‘Youth Knows No Pain,’ initiates a direct attack on the inexperienced nature of her debut. Consisting of a sinister backing track, harsh percussion, and vocals that lack the charming and feeble badge all previous Lykke Li tracks wear with pride. The opener sets an expectation that the nymphet has grown up. Indicating that the next eleven tracks will lack her usual youthful mystic.
All disappointment is quashed by ‘I Follow Rivers.’ Despite the more ominous drumming, lyrically her obscure storytelling returns: ''Be my only, be the water and I'm wading…’' and as soon as the ‘'I, I Follow you, deep sea baby…'' chorus kicks in, it’s clear that although a bit more worldly, the pint-sized enchanter from Youth Novel’s is still lurking. ‘Love out of Lust’ then allows Lykke Li to return to what she does best. Dissonant percussion patterns are partnered with layers of sirenic backing vocals, and infused with Lykke Li’s typically sweet ''honey don’t be afraid to dance while we’re waiting'' lyrics.
‘Unrequited Love’ takes the listener somewhere slightly different. Complete emphasis is given to her uncharacteristically shaken vocals, which are enriched by a distinctly West Indian styled backing chorus arrangement. Although previous songs like ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’ have toyed with this slight Caribbean influence, ‘Unrequited Love’ is the first time Lykke Li has completely stepped away from the safety of ditsy pop, and created something truly developed.
The single ‘Get Some’ then makes its appearance on 'Wounded Rhymes', in which the cheekily blue lyrics of ‘Little Bit’s: ''And for you I keep my legs apart…’' are trumped by ''don’t pull your pants before I go down,'' and the undeniably kinky ''I’m your prostitute, you gon get some''.‘Rich Kid Blues’ is one of the albums weaker spots. Despite the song’s promising opening, it soon spirals off into a dry and mildly cynical tune that wouldn’t be out of place in a scene from Gossip Girl. Luckily, an interest saver comes in the form of ‘Sadness is a Blessing.’ Sounding more like the B side to a 60s record than something of 2011’s making, Lykke Li combines Skeeter Davis-esque pleading with a drum and percussion package that The Ronnettes and Phil Spector could have topped the Billboard with.
‘Jerome’s’ slight Bat for Lashes similarity musically is lost amongst unbearably needy lyrics like: ''swear you’ll never leave me,'' until an awkward and desperate attraction becomes obsession. Dark, but unexplainably catchy, ‘Jerome’ is almost a preparation track to Wounded Rhymes tragic finale. ‘Silent My Song’ combines celestial harmonies with Lykke Li’s somewhat expected use of harsh rhythm and thick bass, whilst also delving into previously uncharted lands of pain. The album’s close is a curious and unnerving concoction of violence, abuse, rape and somehow chirpy harmonies.
'Wounded Rhymes' dives between the sinister and ethereal. Although at times bewildering, its brave combination of nomadic rhythms, 60s ballads and Jamaican folk, plays out to form a well-rounded second album to be proud of. 'Wounded Rhymes' doesn’t quite stick to its opening promise of mature song-writing; with one or two tracks appearing slightly under thought, however, there lies part of its unpolished charm.
Although not perfect, Lykke Li has certainly drawn on all things raw to create something basic, but beautiful.
