Lykke Li’s second album “Wounded Rhymes” crosses the Atlantic and challenges the American charts with a heartbroken album that is no sissy.
Swedish indie rocker, Li, (pronounced Lickee Lee) might not be a widely known name yet, but with her second album, she proves that she has a range that can be bluesy but still rock.
The album opens with “Youth Knows No Pain,” a heavy bass and clap combination that’s coupled with organs to provide a strong opening almost unfitting for the album. She sings, “Come honey cut yourself to pieces; come on honey give yourself completely.” Li’s enticing lyrics invite the listener to join her on a journey of heartbreak. When the beat breaks down, she willingly drops her rocker façade and brings you into the world where love failed her.
With an ebullient organ for a slight psychedelic effect, “I’ll Follow Rivers” sets off the story of heartbreak with a persistent lover. Li’s breathy vocals and minimalist lyrics make “I’ll Follow Rivers” a returnable single for its upbeat anti-pop tempo.
As the album progresses, “Love Out of Lust,” unleashes Li’s philosophy of love. Its hedonistic lyrics cross nicely with an airy carefree track. “Dance while you can…Dance cause you must…” Li’s airy track has a wailing backdrop that will keep you coming back for more of its uplifting aura.
Next, “Unrequited Love” reminds you that it’s an album of heartbreak. Li unleashes the low tempo true-blues acoustic guitar with a wailing vocal that will remind you of the dreamy slow song at prom.
True to the jumpy nature of the album, the second single, “Get Some,” unleashes a jungle bass with a surfer’s guitar and aggressive lyrics for a perfect “lonely lover’s charm,” a rock club hopper’s ideal indie tune.
An eerie keyboard organ intro opens “Rich Kid Blues,” an upbeat track reminiscent of Li’s punk rock mother. The chorus ends up endearing itself despite its note of despair merely because of its catchiness.
“Sadness is a Blessing,” simplifies itself with piano chords and a consistent drum beat that leads you into an anthem of sadness. “These scars of mine make wounded rhymes tonight,” placed at the heart of the album, the track serves as a point of reference for those digging into the various interpretations of the album.
“I Know Places We Can Go,” offers the placating easy listening of an acoustic guitar with Li’s coaxing voice assuring, “There is a place. There is a way…” This track is intimate, as if you’re in a blues bar and Li is playing in front of you. The track proceeds to take you away as her voice halts and an ambient instrumental offers you a vision of the place she has in mind.
“Jerome” brings you back to the theme of the album. It’s another bluesy track. With psychedelic keyboard chiming in and Li’s agonized vocals, the track offers an ode to her heartbreaker with a strongly-built floating presence incomparable to the other tracks.
Li concludes the album with a track that proceeds like the approaching of a Viking war fleet. “Silent My Song” is a surreal track that sends the listener off with Li’s persistent spirit that will continue to row in the rue of its failed romance.
Li’s album may not seem to say much, but its minimalism offers a great vacation from wordy lyricism and quick vocals. If you enjoy the lofty pitch of vocalists Adele or Florence from Florence and the Machine, then you should give Li’s “Wounded Rhymes” a chance. You might drown in its ethereal trance.
