What is it about Swedes that helps them sound on the verge of tears so often? Pixie of the moment Lykke Li is no exception, even as she confidently bounces through the electronics-kicked twee-folk of her wildfire debut, Youth Novels. "Breaking It Up" and "I'm Good, I'm Gone" are commanding dancefloor summonses, while on the sadder side, "Dance Dance Dance" finds resilience in a few simple movements of the body, and "Time Flies" flutters over plaintive piano. Through it all, Li's deeply felt range of emotions is abetted by a girlish delivery and lyrics both self-conscious and self-empowering.
