so sad so sexy
by Lykke Li
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2018
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 108 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 108
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 108
  3. Negative: 5 out of 108
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  1. FerSoul
    Jun 8, 2018
    10
    Lykke Li is like a chameleon. Her voice. Her soul. Her heart and her sadness have evolved. She changed her own skin. Me as a fan I am not the same that I was when she released I Never Learn. I've changed. She have changed. So Sad So Sexy is a bittersweet caress of Lykke Li's life.
  2. idontknowwhat
    Jun 8, 2018
    10
    Although this is definitely Lykke's most pop sounding album yet, it is undoubtedly a solid piece of dark and r&b pop. Throughout the course of the album, the production, lyrics and vocals uphold a high standard and are overall the defining moments of this album. Short, simple, nostalgic and ecstatic. Top tracks: hard rain, deep end, sexy money feelings die, two nights
  3. Predy17
    Mar 4, 2020
    10
    Not her best, but far from worse!!! So Sad So Sexy it's the most experimental album of Lykke So far... It's an very unique gem!
  4. Picuco
    Jun 11, 2018
    10
    Beautiful album with great songwriting by Lykke Li, as always. My favorite songs: Hard Rain, Last Piece, Sex Money Feelings Die, Better Alone, and Utopia. I think the hip hop influences go very well with her and this is my favorite of her albums so far. I hope she finds success because I want more of this!!
  5. marcmyworks
    Jun 11, 2018
    9
    Such a brilliantly sad and sassy album that really speaks to Lykke Li's brand of cool-loner-artist who is always finding love in the wrong places. Download: Deep End, Sex Money Feelings Die, Hard Rain, So Sad So Sexy.
  6. CharlieGray
    Jun 10, 2018
    10
    ‘so sad so sexy’ is what pop needs to be: smart and well produced. Although it may lack the lyrical impact or production of Li’s two previous efforts, ‘Wounded Rhymes’ and ‘I Never Learn’, ssss it’s still a perfectly great record, bringing a new dark and melancholic side to pop and trap.
  7. bodakyellow
    Jun 11, 2018
    9
    so sad so sexy is a masterpiece. Some songs blend fresh hip hop beats with Lykke Li's beautiful vocals, while others keep it simple with more distracting, pensive instrumentalization, making a work of art that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Favourite tracks: hard rain, deep end, last piece, jaguars in the air
  8. RafaelSeixas
    Aug 1, 2019
    8
    So Sad So Sexy tem uma qualidade absurda!! Isto fica audível à metros de distância do álbum. Samples densos, limpos, batida imponente e a voz única de Lykke. Aliás, é um álbum que marca uma mudança drástica na carreira de Li, musicalmente falando. É amadurecido, bem produzido, sério, álbum pleno. Eu não consigo fazer qualquer link com seus trabalhos anteriores (por exemplo, não há nenhumaSo Sad So Sexy tem uma qualidade absurda!! Isto fica audível à metros de distância do álbum. Samples densos, limpos, batida imponente e a voz única de Lykke. Aliás, é um álbum que marca uma mudança drástica na carreira de Li, musicalmente falando. É amadurecido, bem produzido, sério, álbum pleno. Eu não consigo fazer qualquer link com seus trabalhos anteriores (por exemplo, não há nenhuma semelhança deste para o incomparável Wounded Rhymes, por exemplo) - isto não é ruim, pelo contrário, mostra que Li está experimentando novas influências e procurando expandir seu "catálogo". Versatilidade, no final das contas. Mas sinto falta do "darkness" que ela tem de sobra. So Sad So Sexy é mais volúvel, porém, muito menos Lykke Li.… Expand
  9. mat_heus
    Jun 10, 2018
    8
    Deeply layered, So sad So sexy is indeed Li's boldest move yet. A clever, relevant and contemporary collection of pop tunes. The swedish musician shows us once again that versatility is her keyword. And of course, when Frank Ocean figures on the credits, we can expect the finest production we can get. In a scene of Trap that's getting saturated with mediocre works, Li's 2018 renditionDeeply layered, So sad So sexy is indeed Li's boldest move yet. A clever, relevant and contemporary collection of pop tunes. The swedish musician shows us once again that versatility is her keyword. And of course, when Frank Ocean figures on the credits, we can expect the finest production we can get. In a scene of Trap that's getting saturated with mediocre works, Li's 2018 rendition stands as a strong and consistent body of work. The album is too short, which is a shame. Must-listen tracks: "Two Nights", "Better Alone", "Hard Rain".… Expand
  10. pedrohenriquer
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    Mais uma obra de arte feita pela Lykke Li. Um álbum mais pop, diferente de todos que ela já fez, mostrando-se hábil e inteligente para qualquer tipo de gênero. Obrigado por esta maravilha minha deusa sad e sexy
  11. Gaelraposo
    Jun 20, 2018
    10
    A troca de sonoridade para Lykke não influenciou em nada em suas perfeitas composições, claro é estranho no começo perceber a mudança, mas ao mesmo tempo é surpeendente a versatilidade para a mudança.
  12. Gematria12
    Jun 22, 2018
    9
    As a casual fan up until this album, i have to say this album blew me away. its title is spot on. and im not sure why people always compare to older albums or the so-called "sellout" myth, but this album as a new fan is brilliant.
  13. lykkeli
    Jul 9, 2018
    10
    Pau no cú de quem não gostou do meu cd e não lancei essa merda pra agradar nem você é nem a puta que te pariu. to triste to sexy TÁ ME OLHANDO POR QUE? EU TO CAGADA?
  14. clem666
    May 25, 2021
    7
    Rather a 7.5 or even an 8 out of ten but there were too many highs and lows during this project unfortunately... Lykke Li chose an experimental and innovative path but struggles to find an interesting balance. If tracks like 'utopia', 'hard rain' and 'deep end' totally shine by their creative aspect, other songs as 'two nights', 'jaguars in the air' and 'bad woman' kind of fall flat andRather a 7.5 or even an 8 out of ten but there were too many highs and lows during this project unfortunately... Lykke Li chose an experimental and innovative path but struggles to find an interesting balance. If tracks like 'utopia', 'hard rain' and 'deep end' totally shine by their creative aspect, other songs as 'two nights', 'jaguars in the air' and 'bad woman' kind of fall flat and sadly get lost in an ocean of melodic convenience. Lyrics are interesting but here too we can feel some inconsistence bewteen tracks. The content is delivered with a small spoon, very slowly.

    In overall I would say it was an agreeable experience to go through and I am truly amazed by the artistic direction Likke Ly took here. I wish that she finds the strenght and courage to go further into it and eventually reveals the best of herself. But in 'so sad so sexy', even with its terrific highlights, she appears to have more effort to do. She demonstrated her ability to craft catchy, meaningful, introspective and experimental tracks but now she should fuse these components together in order to deliver a true masterpiece project.    … Expand
  15. Enterka
    Nov 14, 2019
    7
    Hard rain best in album, by the way neon too, or no. I can't know :( But Lykke Li is best in Sweden

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed Album of 2018
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. PopMatters
    Aug 15, 2018
    60
    There's a distance in these songs. Keeping the audience at arm's length ensures that the album won't get bogged down in pain, even as it willingly swims in that pain. While that distance also results in a slightly ephemeral experience, the result is mood music that works as well as a breakup album as it does a warm-up for the club.
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  2. The 405
    Jul 5, 2018
    60
    So Sad So Sexy is by no means a bad record, but while the Li of previous records was refreshing and stark showing us her vulnerability, the slickly produced nature of this means that’s often lost and in its place is cliché as Li tries to hang onto the weighty romance of youth.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    Jul 2, 2018
    80
    Sadness may remain her true love, but when she flirts with other emotions, the effect can still be magical.
    Read full review
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