Lykke Li

Swedish vocalist Lykke Li, or Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, gives us a sneak preview of what's to come with this tasty four-song EP. Little Bit was produced by Bjorn Yttling of the indie-rock trio Peter Bjorn and John, and features three unpretentious pop gems excerpted from her debut full length Youth Novels (out in Sweden already, but there is currently a bidding war over the right to release it domestically) and one exclusive track "Everybody But Me."

While Lykke has been outspoken about her ambition to be the blogger generation's Madonna, her songs are way too fragile and gentle to exude sexuality and manipulation. There's an inherent youthful naiveté in "Dance Dance Dance" [listen here] a minimalist groove ride about the need to do just that, and the loungey "Everybody" epitomizes shyness and insecurity, with confessional lyrics about jeans being too tight and finding comfort by standing in the corner. This Swedish vocalist is more likable when she's not parading herself as a material girl.

—Arye Dworken
05.16.08