Lykke Li - Youth Novels

“With a tiny voice, minimalist arrangements and simple lyrics, this Swedish songwriter has crafted what seems like a magical album, where all its small elements coalesce into something quite big. Li is 22 but sounds half that, although her lyrics are quite wise beyond her years. The drone of opener “Melodies & Desires” is like a moaning trumpet introduction to the quaintly celebratory “Dance Dance Dance,” but the real dance comes with a string of more beat-laden tracks like “I’m Good, I’m Gone,” “Complaint Department” and “Little Bit.” The poppy vocal rhythms of “Let It Fall” make the track a real standout, while such songs as “My Love” are like lullabies, recalling ’60s pop icons like the Beach Boys. —Katie Hasty”