Single Review: Lykke Li – Get Some
Lykke Li is a beguiling personality. I remember hearing her song ‘A Little Bit’ on 6music sometime in early 2008 and thinking, wow, I’ve got to see her live. There was something so sweet and simple about her voice, but the backing instrumentation seemed to suggest there was a dancing princess trying to get out.
I did see her live, in October 2008 in Washington, before I became a blogger. So I wasn’t there super early like I normally am these days, so my vantage point wasn’t great. But what my friends and I saw was something pretty amazing and a little bit shocking. There was Lykke Li, standing there on the Black Cat stage, her blonde hair whipping about as she frantically beat a drum. A cover of A Tribe Called Quest‘s ‘Can I Kick It’ was even more surprising. Her 2008 debut album ‘Youth Novels’ was critically received across the board, but to be honest, the album felt flat to me compared to Lykke Li, the live performance.
Seeing that drums were the most memorable part of my seeing her 2 years ago, it should come as no surprise that in her latest offering, ‘Get Some’ (free from her Web site, along with a b-side, ‘Paris Blue’). There was a hint of naughtiness but more coyness in ‘Youth Novels’. But this track has the words to make you blush: “like a shotgun, needs an outcome / I’m your prostitute, you gonna get some”. It’s like watching Madonna go from ‘Lucky Star’ to ‘Like a Virgin’.
That said, it’s very funky, with guitars twanging in the background like good countrified pop. I didn’t like it initially but I have to say, it’s definitely catchy and will get you snapping your fingers. Or maybe like Lykke Li herself, make you feel like pounding on some drums.
8/10
The limited edition 7″ of ‘Get Some’ is available through Rough Trade. Her second album is due sometime next year.
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