Jens Lekman
An Argument with Myself EP

THE REVIEW

Before releasing the third album "I Know What Love Isn't" in 2012, Jens Lekman, one of the leading figures in contemporary indie pop, released the EP "An Argument with Myself".

The 5 tracks that make up the extended play were, according to the author, a departure from the mood of the album, hence the idea of encapsulating them into a shorter record format, breaking the discographic silence that had lasted since the acclaimed album "Night Falls Over Kortedala" of 2007. The title track that opens the record is close to the traditional indie pop style, then shifts towards electronic sounds. "Waiting For Kirsten", apparently a childish dedication to actress Kirsten Dunst, actually shows us a social snapshot of Gothenburg and Sweden, without revealing an open social criticism. The typically baroque harmonizations, which characterized "Night Falls Over Kortedala", are found in "New Directions" rich with brass arrangements on a borderline funk base, alternating with the duet between male and female voices. The EP closes with "So This Guy at My Office", which surprises with an almost reggae rhythm.

Overall, "An Argument with Myself" is yet another testament to Lekman's undisputed (pop) songwriting prowess, which shortly after would be confirmed with the album "I Know What Love Isn't", one of the best albums released in 2012.