Lykke Li Releases Knife in the Heart, A Self-Described Brutalist Nursery Rhyme Anthem

Lykke Li has released a new single, “Knife in the Heart,” from her upcoming album, The Afterparty.

On the emotional new track that was recorded with a 17-piece string orchestra, Li confronts the reality of living in a troubling world where controversy and doom are guaranteed like death and taxes. “This is my brutalist nursery rhyme anthem — the emo girl in me, fully unleashed,” she says in a press release. “I had my son and his friend sing the choruses because the juxtaposition of their voices against the EBow just created such a powerful sonic landscape, somewhere I’ve never really been before.“A world is totally collapsing in front of us, and all we really have left is our humanity. My dream is to hear a whole football stadium chanting: ‘This Life, This Life is a Knife in the Heart.’”

“Knife in the Heart” is the latest taste of The Afterparty, following its first single, “Lucky Again,” that came out in February. Her new album, which will be her first in four years, is out on May 8th. Later this year, she’ll be making several festival appearances, including at Coachella.