All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

The Guardian

Pop is rarely as genuinely affecting, joyful or good as this.

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Entertainment Weekly

The album's sound is a swirl of sparkly '60s orchestration and horns--an achievement worth a thousands days of nights. [2 Nov 2007, p.63]

MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)

Loaded with talent, heart and personality, he's an eccentric who still thinks the world is his friend, and one more sweet argument for the civilized compromises of democratic socialism.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

Lekman perfectly funnels his signature sound of gentle string and horn melodies, audaciously appropriate sampling, and often corny balladry into a well-oiled, 12-song machine.

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Under The Radar

Each song unfolds so effortlessly one imagines it springing forth, fully formed, with the same exaggerated inevitability of a cartoon bubble sprouting above his head. [Fall 2007, p.74]

All Music Guide

Night Falls Over Kortadela is witty, pretty, silly, and wise; and filled with instantly memorable melodies, thrilling moments of surprise in the arrangements, and laugh-out-loud lyrics.

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Pitchfork

Along with wry, sometimes melancholic observations worthy of Richman or the Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt, these elements make for Lekman's best record, one likely to captivate even those who were skeptical of his previous releases.

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Prefix Magazine

I think we should all be thanking our respective Higher Power right now that [Lekman's] hiatus was brief, because the album he would eventually make, the stunning Night Falls over Kortedala, is among the best of the year.

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Lost At Sea

Kortedala is a touch shy of a great album because Lekman's ornate tendencies towards full-on kitsch get the best of the still A-level songwriting.

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Almost Cool

This is Jens Lekman, and what he does best is create overly-sweet pop songs, so it's hard to complain too much.

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Blender

Unlike other current heart-on-sleeve troubadours, Lekman uses his tender touch to brilliantly tease out the bumbling awkwardness that defines modern love.

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Spin

It's his so-twee-it-hurts delivery that'll make you feel you're at a roadside bingo hall in rural Scandinavia, waiting for someone to holler, "B8!" [Nov 2007,p.121]

The New York Times

The music is smoother and grander than before (it turns out orchestral disco suits him well), but he remains defiantly unabashed.

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PopMatters

There are times when he seems on the verge of sounding as pretentious as the next indie rock darling ("I picked up a seashell to illustrate my homelessness"), but he always ends up knocking himself back down to earth, coaxing a smile out of his audience.

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Boston Globe

With such a sweeping sonic palette, it's a pleasant surprise that the record doesn't crumble under its own auspices.

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Delusions of Adequacy

It’s pretty hard to turn down, just as his collection of self-referencing, string heavy ballads "You‘re So Silent Jens" was.

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Dot Music

For all the moments of heart-stopping splendour, the backing tracks sometimes sound as creaky as a "Prisoner Cell Block H" film set.

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Drowned In Sound

Ultimately the Swede’s absorption into his own mind gives him the throat of a man who sounds in control. This control is one of the things that make Kortedala Lekman’s most assured, comfortable record yet.

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Hartford Courant

The Swedish indie-pop singer shows a remarkably keen eye for detail, finding surprising moments of sweetness, poignancy, and humor in a variety of situations.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

His tunes, lusher and more layered here than on his previous efforts, can be just as peculiar as his tales.

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Stylus Magazine

This is a pretty great album, filler and all.

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Magnet

A few demerits are warrented for pointless and distracting tempo changes in two of the album's most satisfying songs, but otherwise, the off-kilter, kichen-sink production works. [Fall 2007, p.101]

Austin Chronicle

He's still a little corny in parts, but it's outweighed by the genuinely sincere.

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Uncut

Lekman makes the kind of Nick Hornby-ish "perfect pop" that no one actually listens to. Which is a pity, because his lyrics are Cole Porter witty, and his major-key songcraft delicious. [Nov 2007, p.110]

NOW Magazine

It should all work extremely well to break Lekman beyond his current fan base of bored Sufjan Stevens fans waiting for Pitchfork to tell them what to like next.

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cokemachineglow

Although there are a few individual moments where those qualities round-off and transcend any qualms anybody might have about Lekman's style, that style on its own, minus a map or even the faint corners of a box, can only elicit the slow smile of admiration, not genuine, passionate interest.

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Q Magazine

His knowing delivery is laboured and the relentless schmaltz proves difficult to stomach over a whole album. [Nov 2007, p.141]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Guy H gave it an8:
Equal parts joyous and introspective - a strange combination that works in this case. Some of the compositions are so overblown that a lot of people will dismiss this album instantly as just so much fluff. If it catches you in a particular frame of mind however.

R G gave it a9:
The samples that lekman uses always somehow manage to get under and awaken my nostalgic side...his songwriting is refreshing and heightens that mood. it is a little odder- shifts in instrumentations - than his last effort 'when I said I wanted to be your dog', but it fits his delivery style. one of the best of the year.

JJ gave it a9:
I can't stand that the negative comments say nothing... read the now magazine article.... 6 lines doesn't say anything about the music or anything of substance..... It's not perfect and there are weak points but the least you can do is at least take the time to write a proper review at least the coke machine guy talks about the record... it's one of those love it or hate it records just because people have gotten in state of mind where if the hear extended melody their fuses just blow up... it's not about indie snobbishness my 55 year old father would love this record.

Chris C gave it a9:
Very enjoyable, very well written album. Jens Lekman has hit his songwriting stride. All the negative reviews for Kortedala seem the same. "OMG, Jens Lekman is kinda dorky and girly! I'm not allowed to like him!" Because if something isn't all indie-ish and 'hardcore' it must be lame. Yeah right.

Paul C gave it an8:
If Belle and Sebastian had a love child with Morrisey, this would be that talented bastard's album. Strangely addictive, though relatively midless, pop music.

smithsgirl gave it a10:
A stunning album, from start to finish. Lekman is a craftsman of wry, affecting and humourous lyrics. All wrapped up in sparkling, bright and memorable tunes. Not a duff track; Postcard to Nina, The Opposite of Hallelujah, Shirin, and Sipping on the Sweet Nectar are standout tracks. My hottest contender for best album of 2007. And unlikely to be eclipsed. Don't be put off by the 'twee' ,'camp' 'pretentious' labels. I believe it's called postmodern irony...

David F. gave it a9:
For me, album of the year. I'm staggered by the beauty, charm, and humor in these twelve songs.

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Night Falls Over Kortedala

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