Jens Lekman - Life Will See You Now

Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman goes full-on pop with his follow-up to 2012's I Know What Love Isn't.

Jens Lekman - "Evening Prayer"

Jens Lekman's latest single is more anxiety-wrought than its upbeat dance pop instrumental first suggests. His new album Life Will See You Now drops this Friday via Secretly Canadian.

Jens Lekman- I Know What Love Isn't

On his third full-length album, Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman returns with a more simplistic approach, toning down the extremely colorful instrumentation that coated his last LP. Thankfully, the man's charm and wit is all this album needs to stay afloat.

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Stream Jens Lekman's I Know What Love Isn't

Stream: Jens Lekman- I Know What Love Isn't On September 3, Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman will be releasing his third LP, titled I Know What Love Isn't, via Secretly Canadian. The folks over at The Quietus have made it available to stream now; just follow the link above to give it a listen.

It's been about five years since Jens won the hearts of many independent music fans with his last album, Night Falls Over Kortedala. His sweet, engaging lyricism, captivating melodies, and disarming voice made him a personality with whom it was difficult not to fall in love, especially when coupled with the warm and welcoming aesthetic of his precisely chosen instrumentation. Fortunately, I Know What Love Isn't exhibits Jens retaining such qualities and the charm they lent him, though also exploring his songwriting enough to save it from feeling like an unneeded regurgitation of ideas previously established in his discography. Aspiring indie pop artists, take note: this is how you make a record that is infectious on the surface and bears emotional depth at its core.

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Jens Lekman- "I Know What Love Isn't"

Swedish crooner Jens Lekman dropped a new video recently for the title track from his forthcoming album I Know What Love Isn't. This album was released early to people who pre-ordered it, so I've had some time to enjoy it for quite a while already, and although I personally love it all the way through, I always find myself drawn back to this song in particular. In its three minutes and 33 second duration, "I Know What Love Isn't" offers a condensed version of practically everything great about Lekman's music, from the carefree melody and playful arrangement to the brilliantly simple yet evocative lyrics and Lekman's deep, lilting voice.

I Know What Love Isn't has been described as a breakup record, but this song eschews all the cliches that such a brand might suggest; it is neither melodramatic nor particularly sad, but Lekman's conversational storytelling nevertheless resonates with me as someone who's been through breakups like his before. In the song's most moving verse, Lekman details a conversation with a friend of his to whom he wants to get married, "but only for the citizenship."

"Do you want to go see a band?" he asks, "No, I hate bands. It's always packed with men spooning their girlfriends, clutching their hands, as if they let go, they would lift from the ground and descend. I don't know what love is, but I know what it isn't."

If that doesn't hit you right in the feelings, I don't know what will.

Anyway, the video is a rather minimalist affair, featuring footage of Lekman and his stripped down backing band performing against a white background. It has a kind of heavenly quality to it, which is ironic given the subject matter of the song. Towards the end, the video suddenly starts to align thematically with Lekman's lyrics. As the camera pans away from him in the final shot, the viewer sees his band members' instruments strewn about the ground, but the players are nowhere to be found. Lekman stands with his head down, clutching his guitar, alone once again as the final notes play out.

I Know What Love Isn't is out officially on September 4th via Secretly Canadian.

Jens Lekman- "Erica America"

One of the most charming singer-songwriters on the Secretly Canadian roster, Jens Lekman, has a new album on the way in September titled I Know What Love Isn't. It's looking at a September 4th release date.

"Erica America" is an endearing little tune, loaded with delicate strings and lovingly strummed acoustic guitar. The drum beat has an almost sexy swing to it, and the background vocals help enhance the romantic vibe Lekman already brings with his warm, calming voice.

It's a tight, detailed song, too. It's got a lotta nice fills, buildups, and segues bringing the track from one phase to another. Little string licks interject in between verses as piano chords get embellished with great passion. There's a swanky sax solo over the bridge on the track I adore as well.

I also have to give intern Chris a shoutout for getting me to sit down and listen to what Lekman has to offer on this next LP. I'm really looking forward to it now.