Swedish singer/songwriter Jens Lekman is a music staple back in his hometown of Gothenburg. With his deep, rich vocals stunningly reminiscent of Morrissey, to his witty and romantic lyrics of lost loves and straight-up randomness (“His mom had once been attacked by a dog, so a pig was the closest thing he could get.  This of course has nothing to do with anything, I just get so nervous when I’m talking to you. All I think about everyday is just kissing you”), Lekman never conforms to stagnant and unoriginal song creations.

Known for his ambitious use of samples, strings, horns, violins, piano, guitar and spoons (yes, spoons), Lekman’s ability to create music with various sounds and tempo shifts shows the range of musicianship this European troubadour truly has.

After getting signed to Secretly Canadian, the 29-year-old released his 2004 debut album, When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog, and followed-up with 2007’s, Night Falls Over Kortedala. It was this album that immediately caught my attention and informed me that I was listening to something that could only be described as “different.” From the trumpet filled, “The Opposite of Hallelujah,” to the soft, plinking piano notes of “I’m Leaving You, Because I Don’t Love You,” and the barbershop acapella-esque of “Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig,” the music that emanates from Lekman is truly something to be admired.

With his freshly released new song, “The End Of The World is Bigger Than Love,” Lekman continues to come out with opus after amazing opus, and if you listen closely enough and really engage in his music, You’ll find he’ll capture your heart with lovely and comical songs. Look for a new album in the near future and get ready for Lekman to break big in the US.