Lykke Li:Wounded Rhymes

8/10 dropps

If the classic sounds of Motown, drum-heaviness of Phil Spector, and the elusive eeriness of Radiohead were to merge into one entity, it would surface as Lykke Li’s Wounded Rhymes. Li’s sophomore effort offers even more than Youth Novels: it’s more haunting, more painful, more creative, and more mystical. Inspired by folklorist Alan Lomax and the spirituality of the cult film The Holy Mountain, Lykke Li manages to create an album that is full of angst and rhythm. Pop inflections and stylized production by Bjorn Yttling from Peter Bjorn and John prove to be effective in imagining a deeper, darker motif throughout Wounded Rhymes.

“I Follow Rivers,” the first single from Wounded Rhymes, has a deeply primal, animalistic feel to it, which is what Li was said to be aiming for. The lyrics are instinctual, the river serving as symbolism for a man Li would follow “deep sea baby.” The rhythm is based off of steel drums, and as the song proceeds, it feels like you’re drifting through a relationship where Li lost herself, drowned in the mass that was the river.

“Get Some” is another track that stands out. Here, the rhythm brings to mind the beats Mark Ronson created for Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.” However, Li somehow manages to make the song into a perfect mix of retro and futuristic breathiness that enthralls the listener into the fantastical world of a weird yet endearing lover. The album on the whole is more direct than Youth Novels, and this song is no exception as Li provocatively states, “I’m your prostitute, you gon’ get some.”

“Sadness Is a Blessing” is the track that was most inspired by Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound technique. It includes the infamous drumbeat that made “Be My Baby” arguably the best pop single of all time. The song is also the inspiration for the name of the entire album (see: “These scars of mine make wounded rhymes tonight”). There can be no denying that this is the best song on the album purely because of the nostalgia that the listener undoubtedly experiences when hearing the throwback production, reminiscent of the 60’s, and the same pleading vocals Li used on Youth Novels.

Make no mistake: Lykke Li’s sophomore effort is good. It’s entertaining in the most eerie of ways. The tracklist is organized so perfectly, it seems as if you are experiencing a full storyline versus a series of unrelated thoughts. Wounded Rhymes is a refreshing take on pop music in general. This album is one of those compositions that you can listen to in a variety of different scenarios, whether sulking in your room, or running around the block. With all of the auto-tuning, sampling, and over-production in music today, it’s nice to hear an album where production is done well, and an 808 is used in a way that isn’t completely ridiculous. Barry Gordy, Phil Spector, and Thom Yorke would be proud.

-Brianna Pierre