Thursday, March 20, 2008

Lykke Li at SXSW 2008 - some brief reviews


Lykke Li
Originally uploaded by Eric Uhlir



Toronto Star
...Still, the best of the lot was Stockholm sweetie Lykke Li, whose "fall in love with me, I dare you" stage presence and earthy, indie-informed take on modern pop-R&B wowed a roomful of music geeks barely out of bed for noon at the Pitchfork Media party at Emo's on Friday.


Eye Weekly
...If High Places’ Pearson seeks sanctuary in her band’s sound-world, you get the sense that Swedish singer Lykke Li would be prancing about Emo’s singing a cappella if she had to. Which is to say she belongs on a stage — her Fiona Apple eyes are the first thing to grab your attention, but it’s her lovelorn lullabies that seize your heart, boasting the same seductive allure of fellow Scandinavian sirens Annie and Robyn, but with the icy electro veneer melted away.


Variety
European singer-songwriters Laura Marling, Kate Walsh, Jens Lekman and Lykke Li confirmed that their live shows are as compelling as their albums...


The Irish Times
Lykke Li was a busy bee in Austin, and her endeavours paid off handsomely because all who saw her performances went away converted.

Gorgeous melodies and skyscraper arrangements power this Swedish singer's proper pop songs, elevating her onto the higher ground currently accommodating fellow Scandinavians Annie and Robyn. Her Little Bit tune was one of the songs of the week.


Austin Chronicle
Dancing like a Shangri-La and singing like a dove, quirky Stockholm indie-popper Lykke Li ("licky lee") charmed the leggings off any nonbelievers crowded around the tiny stage at Ninety Proof Lounge. With three shy boys at her side, the 21-year-old winked and mimed her way through her Björn Yttling-produced debut, Youth Novels, opening with "Dance Dance Dance," one foot in front of the other, never a moment standing still. When she gripped the kazoo hanging around her neck, all visions of girly singer-songwriters flew out the window. The kazoo gave way to finger cymbals and bells, as miniature keyboard and squeeze box formed the orchestration behind "Little Bit": "And for you I keep my legs apart and forget about my tainted heart," Li taunted, chin down, eyes fluttering. She flirted and posed, pointed and hypnotized, and in a too-short 20 minutes, she was off with "I'm Good, I'm Gone." That dose of quirky pop built and built until the bass tom was wrecked, and all Li could do was whip a cymbal until it cried. Jens Lekman was left grinning at his fellow Swede. The Swedish conquering of SXSW continues.

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