Lykke Li: The Swedish Love-Child of Janis Joplin & Debbie Harry?: Playlist

Okay, so I know I have featured Lykke Li on a couple playlists (#4  & #5 ) already, but I just realized I haven't devoted a post to her yet. Soooo here you go.

Lykke Li is one of the best examples of Sweden's recent outpouring of musical talent. Her live persona is a stunning mash-up of rebelliousness, strength, and sensuality. Kinda similar to what might have happened if Janis Joplin and Debbie Harry ever had a love-child. Like a lot of great music coming out nowadays, Lykke's pop/indie/electronica fusion is hard to categorize. Regardless of what you call it, it is clear that this lady has talent and charisma to spare.

The 26 year-old singer/songwriter popped on the scene with 2008's Youth Novels, a critically acclaimed album produced by Björn Yttling, of Peter Bjorn and John fame. She followed up her debut with killer sets at Coachella and Lollapalooza in 2009. Her sophomore album, Wounded Rhymes, was released in 2011.

Below you will find a 9 song playlist featuring tracks from Youth Novels and Wounded Rhymes . Most of the videos below are fantastic live performances, but I highly recommend getting both albums for yourself. The studio versions of these songs are great. Enjoy!

Song of the Week: High Priestess ::: Active Child

I heard "High Priestess" for the first time last week and was blown away by the fusion of canonical music with electro-pop.  The song is by Active Child (a.k.a Pat Grossi) a 28 year-old choir-trained singer operating out of Los Angeles.  His work blends layers of soaring falsetto, beautiful harp runs, and a wide variety of synths, sounds, and vocal effects, to create unusual and emotive pop tracks.  You can definitely hear the choir influences on this track, not to mention a distinct New Wave feel reminiscent of Tears for Fears.  Check out the first single from his debut album, You Are All I See, as well as fantastic live version of the song.