KyleParkinson.com

I’ve been a fan of Jens Lekman for a while now, but I think listening to his recent guest DJ spot on NPR’s All Songs Considered was the tipping point for me. One listen to his songs will give you the impression that he’s a warm, down-to-earth guy, but the All Songs Considered appearance really highlighted that he’s a good-natured guy making music that’s just fun to listen to, whether it’s melancholic or sugary.

Lekman’s music is heavy on the samples and features a lot of strings and brass. He tops it off with witty, straightforward lyrics — reminiscent of Jonathan Richman — that cover mundane topics in a clever manner:

But Nina I can be your boyfriend
So you can stay with your girlfriend
Your father is mailing me all the time
He says he just wants to say hi
I send back “out of office” auto-replies
–from “A Postcard to Nina”

Take a listen to the songs below, check out the NPR All Songs Considered episode, and check out the whole new album Night Falls Over Kortedala when you get a chance.

MP3: Jens Lekman - A Postcard to Nina

MP3: Jens Lekman - Your Arms Around Me