Lykke Li, the Swedish singer-songwriter who just released her new album, I Never Learn, is heartbroken. Or so it would seem, with song titles like “Sleeping Alone” and “Never Gonna Love Again.” It rings through her voice in “Gunshot,” which begins with the feel of a Peter Gabriel song before revealing a chorus that is emotionally thrilling. Li’s greatest talent is her ability to integrate the indie-pop genre so well into her music that it becomes more than just another beautiful voice. She does this perfectly here: the energizing use of instrumentals and percussion brings out the sadness that can only reach so far with her voice alone. The song is easy to love. Simple without being dull, unique without losing grounds for empathy, Lykke Li always seems to grasp the perfect balance to make her songs truly touching, and “Gunshot” is no exception. 

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Lexy Brodt is a student at UW-Madison currently majoring in economics, potentially double majoring in journalism. She spends most of her time watching episodes of Broad City over root beer floats and reading in bed.