Jens Lekman - “Erica America” (Official Music Video)

Jens Lekman has a new breakup album on the way called I Know What Love Isn’t, and from what we’ve heard so far, it’s going to be much more somber than his bubbly, orchestral previous work. To elucidate the extent of his evolution as a songwriter and musician, Lekman has debuted a lonely-looking video for his heartbreaking new single “Erica America.”

In the video, Lekman bums around what appears to be an abandoned warehouse, visibly pouting and playing a Spanish guitar. Although his unobtrusively-dressed backing band is present in the clip, the lonely, solemn looking Lekman is the center of attention here. Even during the saxophone solo, the camera continues to focus on Lekman as he melancholically wanders throughout the warehouse. Can you blame him for being a self-obsessed bastard? He’s adorable!

Like any good video, this simple but elegant clip reveals hidden qualities to the song that I hadn’t heard before. I’ve spent much of the past couple weeks listening to Lekman’s older material obsessively, and thanks to this video, I’m really starting to come around to this new track as well. 

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I Know What Love Isn’t is out September 4th on Secretly Canadian.