-
9.0
45707
9.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
An achievement tied together both thematically and musically in a way that’s stronger than anything he’s managed before and arguably more successful than anything you’re likely to hear this year
Read Review
-
9.0
45858
9.0 |
All Music
Intelligently crafted, emotionally punchy pop of the highest quality
Read Review
-
9.0
46171
9.0 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
These songs are those of a storyteller truly documenting, as well as he can, what has happened
Read Review
-
8.9
45968
8.9 |
Beats Per Minute
I Know What Love Isn’t is more than a great pop album – it’s the most singularly rewarding statement from one of the more uniquely gifted songwriting voices of the past decade
Read Review
-
8.2
45762
8.2 |
Paste Magazine
He may not know exactly what love is, but on I Know What Love Isn’t, he sure as hell gives himself over to all of love’s most ridiculous dreams
Read Review
-
8.0
45852
8.0 |
The Fly
It’s impossible to resist the perfect misery
Read Review
-
8.0
45703
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
A classy break-up record rather than just a classic one – reaffirming Jens Lekman as an inimitable talent
Read Review
-
8.0
45971
8.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Almost impossibly gorgeous
Read Review
-
8.0
47369
8.0 |
PopMatters
I Know What Love Isn’t is Lekman gracefully coming to terms with the breakup, and his lyrical and musical variations on this fixation keep the album compelling
Read Review
-
8.0
47633
8.0 |
No Ripcord
The finest achievement of his career
Read Review
-
8.0
45887
8.0 |
The Quietus
Lekman's candour lacks the rawness often found on this kind of album. He does not confront his ex, or even rail against her lingering presence; he just wearily wishes to be rid of it
Read Review
-
7.7
45886
7.7 |
Pitchfork
Even when he focuses his unflagging talents within fixed bounds, Lekman's still one of the most distinct and observant writers in indie rock today
Read Review
-
7.5
45731
7.5 |
A.V. Club
A fine return to the public eye, one that doesn’t enchant quite like his early material but resonates much deeper
Read Review
-
7.0
45758
7.0 |
BBC
More revealing than anything else he’s produced
Read Review
-
7.0
45848
7.0 |
Prefix
Lekman has few peers when it comes to drawing minute details into wondrous and profound universes of thought
Read Review
-
7.0
45784
7.0 |
Uncut
It's hard not to be charmed by his elegant stoicism. Print edition only
-
7.0
45705
7.0 |
NME
It’s a tougher listen than usual, but it’s still laden with lashings of classic Lekman pop hooks
Read Review
-
6.0
45706
6.0 |
The Guardian
The fashionably tinny production and unending roster of failed romances and pretty girls' names start to sound weirdly flippant
Read Review
-
6.0
45704
6.0 |
Independent on Sunday
A chastened affair: instrumentally pared-back, vocally wan and full of unremarkable Brill-Building-meets-Belle-and-Sebastian ditties
Read Review
-
6.0
45708
6.0 |
Bowlegs
Some of the album’s best moments come out of Jens’ witty and charming mastery of words. However there are times where you can’t help but feel that it might have been better if he hadn’t tried so hard to find that rhyme or fit that extra syllable in
Read Review
-
6.0
45709
6.0 |
Under The Radar
He still packs dense short stories into each track, but without the humor the drama sometimes falls flat
Read Review
-
6.0
45710
6.0 |
The Irish Times
Further evidence of his unassuming yet considerable songwriting prowess
Read Review
-
6.0
45792
6.0 |
Q
Wit and self-deprecation win the day. Print edition only
-
6.0
45804
6.0 |
Mojo
Self-defeat to click your fingers to. Print edition only
-
5.6
45711
5.6 |
Pretty Much Amazing
Fans will be pleased with his consistent, yet evolved sound on the album – it just seems that brevity was in his favor on the EP
Read Review
-