An album I’ve had on repeat over the past few months is Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman’s Sophomore album, “Night Falls Over Kortedala.” Bursting at the seams with colorful orchestration, Lekman recounts moments of love and loss throughout his life. His uncanny ability to add vivid and humorous detail to these moments makes for a wild ride. Though "Night Falls Over Kortedala” turns ten years old next year, it remains an album I cherish and listen to frequently.
From the start of “Night Falls Over Kortedala,” Lekman makes two statements very clear. “Though I’ve fucked up, I’ve always tried to be true” and “I would never kiss anyone / who doesn’t burn me like the sun” are powerful lines that seem to outline the themes that can be found throughout the album. Unabashed, and wearing his heart on his sleeve, Lekman writes songs that paint the picture of someone who tends to think out loud, and find small bits of humor in everyday life. Jens Lekman is a storyteller, and each song highlights a story in is life worth telling. From attempting to teach his sister life lessons, to getting his hair cut at an illegal home salon, Lekman gives poetic recounts of his everyday experiences. An iconic moment on Side A takes place in “A Postcard to Nina,” in which he agrees to pose as his lesbian pen pal’s boyfriend to appease her disapproving father. “First time I see you in Berlin / And you don’t tell me anythin’ / Until outside your dad’s apartment.” Over dinner, Lekman tells stories of how he and Nina met, with the help of her non-verbal cues. A line from the subsequent postcard message to Nina concludes the song: “Don’t let anyone stand in your way!” Things don't always work out well for Lekman, which can be seen in songs like “Your Arms Around Me.” While Lekman uses a knife in the kitchen, Lekman’s lover is able to sneak up and scare him, unintentionally causing him to slice the tip of his finger off. The happy tone of the song can easily make a listener skip over this fact entirely, which is a level of juxtaposition that can be seen in many songs throughout the album. Sad and hopeless moments can be set to upbeat music, creating the illusion of happy love songs. Even something so little as one line from a song can change the context with which it is viewed, making it an album listeners must get to know over a period of time.
While Lekman highlights many of his life’s mistakes throughout “Night Falls Over Kortedala,” moments of clarity can be found in songs like “Sipping on the Sweet Nectar.” “I see myself on my deathbed saying / ‘I wish I could’ve loved less’ / but that’s when the feeling hits,” Lekman proclaims. Ultimately, each of the experiences from the songs on “Kortedala” seem to make Lekman realize how much he truly loves each person he interacts with. Even on the adversely titled “I’m Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You,” Lekman’s relationship-ending soliloquy is accompanied by comforting apologies as his lover has an asthma attack. Whether listening to the full album or just one song, “Night Falls Over Kortedala” takes a charming and witty look at life, love, and overthinking things.
