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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Youth Novels
by Lykke Li
The debut album for the Swedish singer was produced by Bjorn Yttling.
| LABEL: |
LL Recordings |
| RELEASE DATE: |
19 August 2008 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Rock, Pop |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
88
The Phoenix
Youth Novels, one-ups the competition by being sillier, funkier, and less comfortable--more “Konichiwa Bitches” than Keren Ann.
84
Filter
A Nordic slice of pop heaven that ranges from electro-Calypso bizarrity to hand clap-driven electro anthems about "Breaking It Up." [Summer 2008, p.102]
80
Blender
It's Li's confidence to stray that gives this album its depth. [Sep 2008, p.82]
80
Dot Music
Still only 22 (!), Lykke Li has constructed one of 2008's most ambitiously grandiose statements. Madonna can shuffle off to her Live Nation millions, a new pop saviour has been found.
80
Q Magazine
They're all set to limber pop that draws on the more understated aspects of both indie rock and dance, with Li's one-off personality a delight throughout. [July 2008, p.107]
80
Hot Press
Charming debut from flirtatious Scandinavian popette.
80
All Music Guide
Both youthful and novel--Li was twenty-one upon its release, which may explain both her occasional goofy vocal affectations and the hesitant freshness of her sound--it's hard to pigeonhole but refreshingly easy to enjoy.
80
Observer Music Monthly
The lyrics lack focus at times but this is a winning debut.
80
Drowned In Sound
Youth Novels is a twinkle-toed debut that dares to suggest what others can only make tediously plain, and leaves us in the rarely-enjoyed position of actually wanting more.
80
New Musical Express
Simple but sensational.
80
Billboard
With a tiny voice, minimalist arrangements and simple lyrics, this Swedish songwriter has crafted what seems like a magical album, where all its small elements coalesce into something quite big.
78
Pitchfork
By paying attention to detail, Yttling and Li's prove that doesn't have to be [an impossible task]. But even more impressive is the way their intimate, playful miniatures capture the daring and novelty of modern pop, as well as its hooks.
75
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Li adeptly straddles the line between instant gratification and minimalist smarts.
70
Urb
Lykke Li manages to combine Feist’s beautiful crooning with Robyn’s playful spunk in her own impressively unique way.
70
Under The Radar
That Youth Novels alternates sentiments and styles track to track without seeming indulgent or directioness is impressive for someone who wrote her first full song only four years ago. [Summer 2008, p.83]
70
Paste Magazine
Even if a few experiments fall flat, on the rest of Youth Novels Li is as witty and self-possessed, even if most of her songs brutally document her emotional masochism.
70
Rolling Stone
The singer's frosty squeak is a limited instrument, but she works it, mixing adorable playground scats with spoken-word whispers and parched coos that barely sketch her sugary melodies.
70
PopMatters
Classy, fun, sensual, and more grown-up than you’d expect, it’s the kind of confident debut that puts the Kate Nashes of the world to shame.
70
musicOMH.com
As things stand, a lot of people are going to fall in love with this new young talent, and her ambitious and creative debut. But Lykke Li is likely to stay a cult curiosity for now.
70
Spin
The endlessly quotable single 'Little Bit'--"For you I keep my legs apart / And forget about my tainted heart," the singer coos over spare electro clatter--is already a viral smash, but much of Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson's debut is nearly as riveting.
70
Sputnikmusic
These songs aren’t necessarily greater than the pop tunes around them, but they are different, more singular and more interesting.
70
Tiny Mix Tapes
Youth Novels serves as an entertaining, but ultimately inadequate introduction to Lykke Li.
70
Slant Magazine
Overall, Li manages not to get swept away by Yttling and Mårtén's resourceful accompaniments....Her bashfulness is, in fact, an asset.
67
Austin Chronicle
Her confidence trumps cute here.
60
The Guardian
She's that kind of singer: cutesy, coy, with a voice as sweet as golden syrup.
40
Uncut
Youth Novels attampts to repeat the trick [the single 'Little Bit'] 13 more times, with varying degrees of sucess. [July 2008, p.103]
The average user rating for this album is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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