![]() ![]() Lekman for making such sounds that match up with more than one of these moments at the same time. We all need something to listen to for all of these moments. On a personal note, Jens Lekman’s music feels connected with my recent personal history and I couldn’t be more happy–it’s wistful, charming, silly, sad, bombastic and, occasionally triumphant. It’s a rare day that the hype aligns with the music. ![]() In the world of “Lisa Likes” regulations, artists should be a little nuts, a little grounded, part innovative freak genius and part renegade throwback revisiter. It’s no secret that I love me some Swedes and even less of a secret that I adore what shall heretofore be referred to as “The Gothenburg Sound.” (see: El Perro Del Mar, Love is All, Jose Gonzalez, Detektivbyran…) Above all, though, I love me some Jens Lekman. This, people, is the post I have been waiting for. ![]() And he’s willing to let his hair down (so to speak) to remind us his songs are, after all, just words set to music. ![]() Jens has become more comfortable stepping outside of himself with his lyrics. Why the sudden passion for calypso, samba, and disco? I’m not sure, but I’m going to chalk it up to maturity. He tells a condensed history of the earth that culminates in a fateful kiss in the backyard. “How We Met, the Long Version” brings Jens’ habit of hyperbole to a Soul Train-worthy crescendo. It starts with spare piano and Jens’ familiar sing-speaking, then breaks into a ridiculous party beat only to return to form by the end. The opening track, “Know Your Mission”, recounts his encounter with a Mormon missionary in 1997. Once relying on minimal accompaniment to seal the intimate feel of his songs, his latest, Life Will See You Now, moves his heartbreak and introspection to the dancefloor in a way that’s both absurd and earnest at once. What’s changed is his production repertoire. Now it’s 2017, Jens is 36 years old, and he’s in many ways the same Jens – an open book of a songwriter who can take you deep into his heartache without trafficking in self-indulgence. Then Lisa broke down everything that’s right about Jens with his 2007 album, Night Falls Over Kortedala. I was infatuated with his “Black Cab” single for most of 2004 (my post has since disappeared but the song kicked off this vintage podcast). Those of you who’ve been with us from the beginning know of our deep love for Jens Lekman. ![]()
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