Name: I Know What Love Isn't
Brand: Jens Lekman

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SC225LP

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-04-17

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0656605022512

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Jens Lekman

Genre GB

Indie Pop / Shoegaze

Label GB

Secretly Canadian

Jens Lekman is a Swedish musician born on February 06, 1981 in Angered, Sweden. Known for his heartfelt and introspective songwriting, Lekman has captivated audiences with his unique blend of indie pop and folk music.

Influenced by artists such as El Perro del Mar, Camera Obscura, and The Magnetic Fields, Lekman's music resonates with listeners through its relatable lyrics and catchy melodies. His songs often explore themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.

With a discography that spans over two decades, Jens Lekman has established himself as a respected figure in the indie music scene. His albums have received critical acclaim and he continues to tour internationally, captivating audiences with his charismatic stage presence.

Secretly Canadian is a US label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was founded in 1996 by four individuals who are passionate about music. Originally known as Secretly Canadian Records, the label has established itself as a prominent player in the industry. In 2007, Secretly Canadian collaborated with another label to form a new entity called Jagjaguwar.

The label's first address was located at 1703 N. Maple St., Bloomington, until sometime in late 2000 or 2001. They then moved to their second address at 1021 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, which served as their headquarters until around 2004. Currently, Secretly Canadian can be found at their third and current address at 1499 W. 2nd St.

With a rich history and an impressive roster of artists, Secretly Canadian continues to make waves in the music industry. Their commitment to quality and passion for supporting talented musicians sets them apart from other labels.

Jens Lekman's third full album, I Know What Love Isn't was recorded over a period of three years in a number of studios on different continents, but sounds like the result of a single focused recording session. It's his first album to be recorded mostly by musicians instead of being built chiefly around samples (though there are a few to be found scattered throughout), and Lekman proves to be just as adept working this way as he was in the past. He blends the instruments together like a skilled painter and gets emotional performances from everyone, especially the string players. These performances fit with the lyrics because somewhere in that time, Lekman seems to have had his heart mangled and/or broken into a million pieces. 

Every song on the album revolves around heartache and heartbreak, and while Lekman's sweetly honest vocals and off-kilter wit and wisdom manage to keep things on the light side (mostly), this is very melancholy stuff at its core. The music, too, (mostly) belies the wrenching topic of the words and is pleasantly hooky, breezy, and light. Inspired this time by soft rock and given to the occasional sax solo, tracks like "Become Someone Else's" or "Erica America" conjure up the relaxed, woodsy feel of bands like America or singers like Carole King. 

The arrangements are full and rich, and Lekman sounds at home surrounded by pianos and harmony vocals. Other songs (the title track, "The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love," "The World Moves On") bop along happily in a more traditional Lekman fashion, with the heartbreak and sadness soundtracked by glockenspiel, flutes, and handclaps. There's also a strong Prefab Sprout/Aztec Camera current running through the album, as evidenced in the tricky chord changes and briskly strummed acoustic guitars of "Some Dandruff on Your Shoulder," and the sophisticated sound of the devastating ballad "She Just Don't Want to Be with You Anymore." Whatever the style or feel Lekman aims for, he hits it dead center as usual. I Know What Love Isn't is Lekman at his finest, transmitting real emotion and humor in songs that are impossible to stop humming for days. He may be less the young upstart who might drop goofy samples or jokes into his songs, and more of a seasoned craftsman who's at home in the middle of a string section, but it's hard to deny the brilliance of his melodies and the power of his words. Jens Lekman may have had his heart broken; he's yet to break the hearts of his fans that have come to rely on him for intelligently crafted, emotionally punchy pop of the highest quality.

I Know What Love Isn't

Music GB