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THE REVIEW
Jens Lekman, finally arriving at his third studio album, seems to want to reaffirm his stylistic coordinates. Our artist loves pop (and therefore around here, we love him) in all its variations, from orchestral-Bacharachian setups and golden age Hollywood soundtracks to vague '70s disco atmospheres (see the almost initial "Sipping On The Sweet Nectar") from languid soulful ballads (imagine "A Postcard To Nina" sung by Barry White..) to some Latin influences (!).
What ultimately makes us prefer this artist over many other singer-songwriters is precisely his open-mindedness and the skillful (non) freshness of his orchestrations... a sort of acoustic Beck (but here and there there's indeed electronics) there you go! "Your Arms Around Me" reaches unexpected heights of sweetness without giving you a toothache, thanks to spot-on arrangements and our inseparable ukulele that feels so Fantasy Island. Therefore, an excellent album to accompany a picnic with friends, this "Night Falls Over Kortedala," with plenty of handclappings and choirs instrumentally, but it's from a textual standpoint that he continues to give his best. Ended loves, impossible and misunderstood ones take center stage, including a particularly poignant one like "Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo"... the Swede is indeed a master in willingly mawkish provincial paintings (see also Shirin), based on love stories that become pretexts to talk (also) about something else. With lots and lots of irony, that never hurts.
An album that you come to appreciate with repeated listens... a good thing for pop. P.S.: This album reached a 9.0 on pitchforkmedia, perhaps it deserves it, I don't know. To your auditory apparatuses the tough verdict.
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Summary by Bot
Jens Lekman's third studio album, Night Falls Over Kortedala, showcases his love for pop through diverse influences ranging from orchestral setups to disco and Latin sounds. His open-minded, skillful orchestrations complement his poignant yet ironic storytelling about love and loss. The album grows on listeners with repeated plays and features notable tracks like "Your Arms Around Me" and "Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo." Highly praised, it’s a perfect blend of sweetness and depth.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Jens Lekman
Jens Martin Lekman is a Swedish singer-songwriter from Gothenburg known for baroque‑tinted indie pop and vivid, witty storytelling. He has released acclaimed records on Secretly Canadian, including Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007) and Life Will See You Now (2017).06 Reviews
Other reviews
By nino
Jens Lekman is currently the most updated compendium on the movement of popular music.
Jens Lekman: poet, Franciscan, sound sculptor: I love you.
By Socrates
"With the same 'materials'... he is capable of composing innovative songs, 'original', that evoke surprise and... unconditional admiration."
"This ability brings him quite close to another inimitable modern alchemist: Beck."
