ENGL 40233

Writing for Publication
Fall 2008


Youth Novels

Chapter One: Why I Like Lykke Li

I first heard the song “Tonight” from Lykke Li’s debut album Youth Novels in early July. I had heard snippets of songs by Lykke Li all summer after she was proclaimed “the next big thing” by all of my more musically inclined hipster friends.

Tonight,” became a quick favorite and iTunes repeat. The chorus of the song is so incredibly catchy that it’s easy to find yourself humming “won’t you let me go, let me go tonight” over and over. But it’s Li’s sharp rhythms and crisp rhymes that really make the song. “You walk the surface of this town/ the high heels above the ground/and high horses that we know/ keep us safe until the night.”

Youth Novels first debuted in Li’s home country of Sweden on January 30, 2008, and was released in the rest of Europe beginning in June. Lately the American music scene has been focused on a mix of pop and electronic music, which is perfect for Youth Novels as it solidly contains both. The album became an instant hit in America prior to its release date of August 19. Hipsters just can’t get enough of Lykke Li.

I had yet to hear the whole album until September when the music manager of KTCU, Sam Wunderl, sent me Youth Novels via the Internet claiming, “you’ll love it!” And for the most part I did. The only track that I disliked was the first, “Melodies and Desires.” The song isn’t exciting and doesn’t do the job of an opening track by drawing the listener in and leaving them wanting more. It’s an Asian themed melody with Li’s voice reciting, “love is the harmony/ desire is the key/ love is the melody/ now sing it with me.” Thankfully track two, “Dance, Dance, Dance,” makes up for the opening track. “Dance, Dance, Dance” is pure bubble-gum pop, which is what Youth Novels is all about. 

The album is perfect party music. It is upbeat and full of strong beats and witty, confessional lyrics such as in “Little Bit:" “And for you I keep my legs apart / And forget about my tainted heart." However, there is also a softer side to Youth Novels. Throughout the album a saxophone resonates mixing the sensual world of jazz with the neon glow of pop and the dizzy electronic beats. It's an interesting twist, which could be attributed to the imagination of Swedish producer Björn Yttling of Peter, Björn, and John, who came out with their hit single "Young Folks" back in late 2007. It seems that Swedish musicians like Lykke Li all have something in common: they know how to make good pop music. Just look at ABBA, The Cardigans, and Ace of Base.

 

ERICKA STRICKLAND is a graduating senior (December 08!) from Plano, Texas. She spends most of her time watching TV on the internet and browsing food blogs. She enjoys baking, neutral colors, and color coordination (come see her bookshelf). She is moving to Sweden the day after Christmas, wool sweaters are a welcomed donation.

Swedish pop star Lykke Li.