Dance between euphoria and emptiness.
The Swedish artist talks about her new album, the melancholy after the party, the weight of living on tour and her long-awaited return to Mexico with Robyn.
Between cinematic strings, emotional dawns and a sensitivity that transforms each song into a confession, Lykke Li continues to expand one of the most intimate and melancholic universes of contemporary pop. After appearing at Coachellarelease their new album titled The Afterparty and announce his presentation with Robynthe Swedish artist talks to us about the emotional construction of this album, the difficulty of living constantly on the move, the visual art behind her project and her deep connection with Mexico City. Between reflections on impermanence, loneliness on tours and the desire to continue exploring new artistic forms, Lykke Li proves that his music continues to be an emotional refuge for those who find beauty even in sadness.
Indie Rocks!: I think there are a lot of things I want to talk about today. You're on tour, you played at Coachella last weekend and you're also releasing a new album, The Afterparty. So I want to start by talking a little about this new album.
I was listening to it last night and I thought it was beautiful: so melancholic, so well constructed, with many strings. I loved it. So I want to hear you talk a little bit about how you made this album and what the idea is behind this new material.
Lykke Li: Well, the album, as I see it, is like a complete night. It all happens during a single night. You start on the street and really… with the way the world is now, there is so much destruction and decay and suffering, that you end up wondering if God exists, if God abandoned the building.
And then you start wandering around at night, you go into different rooms where there are different types of music, but at the same time it's a conversation with yourself. Really asking yourself, “is this all there is?” or “what is going to happen after this?” You are in a afterpartyit's funny, it's five in the morning… but eventually the sun is going to rise.
GO!: I think it's beautiful. And I just wanted to talk about the emotional closure of the album. “Euphoria,” to me, feels like that melancholic moment when the sun is rising and in the end you're just left with yourself after the party. I don't know if that was the intention.
LL: Yes, it was understanding that nothing lasts forever. But at least we had that moment of euphoria. Although even that is borrowed. It's this feeling of impermanence and trying to hold on to that last moment.
GO!: I love it. And speaking a little about the production, for me the strings were something very powerful, what stood out the most on the album. What was it like getting into the studio and turning all these ideas into an album?
LL: It was incredible. Very nice to work with the same people I have worked with for twenty years. I feel like on every album I become obsessed with certain instruments. This time it was the bongos, the strings and the ebow. So it's like trying to use all those instruments that you were always curious about, but from a maximalist and expressionist vision.
And it's all live, it's all real people playing. It is a celebration of humanity. I think music is probably the most beautiful thing that human beings do.
GO!: I totally agree. There is something magical about listening to an album or song. And you were just mentioning these twenty years of career. This is your sixth album, right?
LL: Yes, the sixth.
GO!: How do you feel reaching this point? Twenty years making music, building a career and being a successful artist. Do you feel it is a great achievement? Are there plans to celebrate this anniversary?
LL: I don't know if it really feels like an achievement, because you realize that every time you decide to do something ambitious, there is a lot of suffering behind it. It takes too much effort to really achieve it. And the way I work is still exactly the same as it was twenty years ago. There is still the same amount of doubt, effort, struggle and determination.
I think that when people see the final result they think that everything was easy, but the path never is. Even in Coachella There were so many things behind the scenes that went wrong that we couldn't control. So it always feels like going to war. And only you can make it work. Every day you have to decide to keep pushing a little harder, keep trying.
I don't think this is going to get any easier. And maybe that's not the point either. I also realize that if you choose to be an artist, you choose to live constantly searching for something. You always think: “I can change this”, “I can make another sound”, “I can do it another way”. You decide to remain dissatisfied and continue searching. There is no rest.
GO!: And speaking of that “going to war” feeling, you're starting a new tour. How do you leave your everyday life, your family, your friends, and go on tour for months?
LL: It's very difficult. Very difficult to leave my children, my bed, take off my pants…But I guess I try to think in terms of archetypes. As if you were a king, a prince or a pauper: you don't choose that, it's just who you are.
And I guess I'm an artist. That is my journey in this life. So I try to hug him. But yes, it is difficult. I suffer a lot being on tour. I am a very sensitive person. I always get sick, I have insomnia, I feel very alone. So yeah… it's complicated.
GO!: And then there is all the promotional part, concerts, flights…
LL: I hate flying. I hate him so much.
GO!: Talking a little more about this tour: you come from playing in Coachellayou have many dates and you will also be in Mexico in September. What can we expect from this tour?
LL: I always try to give my absolute best and create a show that is a journey and a catharsis. I just hope people feel it was worth it. That we share that moment together and that it is something emotional.
GO!: In September you will play in Mexico City with Robyn in it Sports Palace. How did this date come about? Why share the stage with Robyn?
LL: She invited me to play that show and I thought, “why not?” I think it can be a very beautiful combination. I had never played in a venue so big, so it seemed interesting to me to do something very Swedish. I think it will be a beautiful night.
GO!: A lot of people in Mexico are excited to see you live. Are there plans to return later on your own? Maybe a festival or a solo show?
LL: I want to do it. I'm going to look into it because Mexico is my favorite place. I love being there.
GO!: And Mexico loves you very much too. But I want to ask you something more personal. Beyond music, what other things interest you? I know you've worked with visual proposals in Los Angeles and it seems that visual art is important to you as well.
LL: I love cinema. I love books. I love contemporary dance. I love good food. I love deep conversations. I love my children. And I love Korean spas. They are my favorite place in the world.
GO!: In Mexico we have incredible Korean spas.
LL: Yeah? I need to go.
GO!: We also have many amazing places to dance salsa.
LL: I love dancing in Mexico City.
GO!: I ask because the entire visual part of your project is very unique: the covers, the shows, the dance, the presentations. How do you develop that visual part of your art?
LL: The further I get in my career, the more curious I get about that part. That's why I say that perhaps this is my last album understood as “pop.” I feel like I could go completely towards visual art or contemporary art. It's something I love very much.
GO!: Are you already working on something related to that or is it still just an idea?
LL: No, I'm already working on it. But there are still so many things I'm doing every day.
GO!: One step at a time, right?
LL: Yes. I keep adjusting the show, the lights, the visuals… every day there is something to do.
GO!:And speaking of setlistyou have six albums. What can we expect to hear live?
LL: It will be like a celebration of all my eras. There will be a bit of all the albums.
GO!: To close: for someone who has never seen you live and wants to go to one of your shows, in what state of mind would you recommend living the experience?
LL: Probably smoke a little weed or take mushrooms and open yourself emotionally to all your different stages and relationships. How to process it all together.
GO!: And for someone who is reading this interview and does not yet know your music, what song would you recommend as a gateway to your discography?
LL: As an artist you are always interested in the latest thing you are doing. So I would say start with The After Party and then go back.
GO!: I really like that idea. It is not such a common answer.
LL: Yeah.
GO!: And now, the last question: if you could describe yourself in just three words, what would they be?
LL: Sensitive. Willpower. Obsessive
GO!: I love it. Thank you very much for your time. It was a huge pleasure talking to you and I hope to see you in September and also at a solo show soon.
LL: Thank you.
Stay tuned for Indie Rocks! for more details.
TikTok / Instagram / x / Facebook
