Artist in Profile: Lykke Li

News Type: Other — Thu Mar 6, 2008 11:44 AM EST

entertainment, music, artist, listen-in, listenin, li, artist-profile, lykke-li, lykke

I'm not sure which blog first pointed me in the direction of Lykke Li, but whoever it was I'd like to thank them.

You may not be sure exactly how to pronounce her name, but don't worry, that won't stop you from enjoying her music, trust me, I speak from experience. Stockholm, Sweden native Lykke Li is poised to break out on the scene with her debut album Youth Novels which will be released in the U.S. March 4th.

Now I could describe Lykke Li, as an old soul in a new body, as a bohemian gypsy with porcelain skin, as possessed by an otherworldly creature (if only when she dances), but I think it would be best if you just saw for yourself. However, looks are only part of the package when it comes to Lykke Li. I wouldn't be talking about her if she didn't have an amazing voice, or if she didn't make amazing music.

Listen to the songs where you can, and watch the videos when you're able, and you'll see the old soul I mentioned flowing through Lykke Li.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Listen to this song's smooth island vibe and it's hard to believe that an artist from Sweden is behind it. And does anyone else pick up the subtle channeling of Nina Simone?

I'm Good I'm Gone

As well as a good song, this video is one of the coolest/strangest I've ever seen. Teaming up with some pals, Lykke Li inadvertently creates a Swedish supergroup easily capable of taking over the world if they so desire. (Bebban and Adam from the Shout Out Louds, Daniel from The Concretes, Lars from Laasko, Mikael from Hjalmar and Robyn)

Things to watch/listen for in this video:

1. Lykke Li clearing her throat (00:28)

2. The atrocious sounding megaphoning by Lykke Li (the studio version has a robot doing that part)

3. Lykke Li's voice soaring out from off camera (01:00)

4. The moment Lykke Li gets her trademark groove on. Standing so still up to this point was obviously causing her a great deal of uncomfort. (01:58)

5. Bebban from the Shout Out Louds doing nothing but sitting down and looking pretty in the back.

6. When Lykke Li recedes back into the darkness from whence she came

Remember the Date!

March 8th is when Youth Novels comes out (and if you're in Europe it came out last month!) so be sure to run out and show some support for your new favourite Swedish debutante!

Check out more Artist Profiles from ListenIn here on Newsvine and on our very own site!

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6.4

3.2

{"commentId":1548847,"authorDomain":"emix"}

Evan Mix

She's mighty good.

{"commentId":1548847,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"emix"}

3 votes

#1 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 6:37 PM EST

{"commentId":1549904,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Seriously. She's really good.

{"commentId":1549904,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

3 votes

#2 - Fri Mar 7, 2008 12:05 AM EST

{"commentId":1552663,"authorDomain":"kymlee"}

kymlee

I like her ethereal energy and love the crystal clear quality of her voice. The last time I read an artist profile by you Jacob, I ended up buying the artists music (I absolutely fell in love with Nico Vega). This girl is very good...I'll have to give her a more in depth listen but I like what I hear so far.

{"commentId":1552663,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"kymlee"}

3 votes

#3 - Fri Mar 7, 2008 5:01 PM EST

{"commentId":1556643,"authorDomain":"jnicolas"}

Jacob Nicolas

The last time I read an artist profile by you Jacob, I ended up buying the artists music (I absolutely fell in love with Nico Vega)

Thank you for that, although this is only my second artist profile.
I may do one some time soon on Girl in a Coma, a band from my home town. I did a sort-of-artist-profile on them a while back before ListenIn was born, but since then they've gotten a lot more popular.

{"commentId":1556643,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"jnicolas"}

2 votes

#4 - Sat Mar 8, 2008 9:20 PM EST

{"commentId":1556801,"authorDomain":"emix"}

Evan Mix

I guess that means you were ahead of your time, eh?

{"commentId":1556801,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"emix"}

3 votes

#4.1 - Sat Mar 8, 2008 10:19 PM EST

{"commentId":1664944,"authorDomain":"mlynnsunga"}

Mika-264269

I <3 Lykke Li!! I think that she is so talented. She actually did a bunch of interviews that are really awesome. People should check them out.
uncensoredinterview.com

{"commentId":1664944,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"mlynnsunga"}

1 vote

#5 - Mon Apr 7, 2008 3:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":1803488,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

She has a show coming up in Seattle along with El Perro del Mar in the next week. She'll also be playing live on kexp.org Fri 5/16 8am Pacific Time

{"commentId":1803488,"threadId":"230567","contentId":"1324356","authorDomain":"redruby"}

3 votes

#6 - Thu May 15, 2008 1:03 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"230567","isPrivate":false}

JACOB NICOLAS

Backyard

Artist in Profile: Lykke Li

Dance, Dance, Dance

I'm Good I'm Gone

Remember the Date!

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