So let's get married . . . but only for the citizenship. Ah, yes, it can only be Jens Lekman. Hard to believe it has been five years since his masterful album, Night Falls Over Kortedela. Lekman's first proper album, When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog, established the Swede as the go-to troubadour of pop earnestness and romantic melancholy. How many times has he fallen in love since then without ever quite getting it right?
Lekman's witty, sample-laden tracks are unforgettable, and his Morrissey-esque voice carries tunes to exquisite little epiphanies. His early efforts contained a wistful majesty to the lo-fi production, while his subsequent output is arguably better in terms of melody and polish. Indeed, his ear for melody is impressive, bringing magic to the small (and funny) stories of heartbreak and misunderstanding. Meeting chicks at anti-war demonstrations. Cutting his finger while slicing avacadoes. Visiting an Iraqi barber in her apartment salon. Singing with the perspective of Rocky Dennis from Mask. There is very little that Jens can stay silent about.
The D Man is giddy over the title-track from his forthcoming album, I Know What Love Isn't. Call it emo for people with graduate degrees in melody and heartbreak. Of course, listeners with dark, cold hearts may find this too much (I'm talking to you, Harrington), but others will revel in the humor, pathos, and sweetness that Lekman reveals in his clever songs.
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