Music Review: Jens Lekman, “Nights Over Kortedala”

Swedish singer/songwriter Jens Lekman, released his album ‘Night Over Kortedala’ back in 2007. Lekman mostly talks about girls and feeling alone. The sequencing of the album perfect, “And I remember every kiss” feels like a slow version of “Sipping on Sweet nectar.” Therefore, playing them first and second, sipping feels like playing every “kiss” speed up. I find the orchestral arrangements precise and tense. Sipping, on the other hand, is the one of the best songs I’ve heard all year. It echoes the base line from the Tough Alliance,”Koka Kola veins.” However, it is more bombastic as it features heavy instrumental orchestra. There’s a tight rhythm section as it feels that all the elements are working together. I really enjoyed on 1.57 Lekman plays three notes in a descending order each one getting more acute. “So I called back Lisa cause she’s my only friend.” This lyric by Lekman feels the most powerful. It seems like Lekman’s album is about optimism in the face as loneliness. Lisa tells him “you gotta start.”

Obviously, “A Postcard to Nina’ is one of the standouts of the album, the constant use of xylophones makes the song really appealing, the slow bass reminds me of Pet Sounds. The story is amazing, an honest reflection of real life. It captures the intricacies of real life, so what if a catholic man had a lesbian daughter? People don’t really think about those complex relationships that might organically arise in the diverse world we live in. However, Lekman keeps himself supportive “I can be your boyfriend so you can stay with your girlfriend.” All these “What if” scenarios make the real world what it is; a complicated place where there are no perfect families. Complicated situations can arise anytime as Lekman tells Nina, “your father is a sweet old man but its hard for him to understand.” Nina’s dad has the best intentions for her daughter to get married to man. However, because of her sexual orientation, that path is not possible.  Lekman’s decisiveness has an effect on me, as he says “If it puts an end to all these nonsense.” Moral issues should be solve with this same decisiveness. Lekman strongly believes in principles of equality and acceptance.

The other fascinating song on the album is, “I am leaving you because I don’t love you anymore.” Lekman opens with an intro straight out of Elliot’s Smith “Figure 8.” He plays a bouncy piano that mainly sounds high pitch. There’s also an ambulance sound that gives me images of NYC in the disco era. Or like opening and old jingle tunes box and letting it play. This song feels very danceable but also sad. Sadness or melancholy is the overall theme of the album. My own personal interpretation is that the human world is a sad reality. However, Lekman responds to this sadness with conviction, “Don’t let anyone stand in your way.”