MOGstars: 9 out of 10

The term "Scandinavian invasion" conjures up images of hirsute men in horned helmets, setting off in their longboats to rape and pillage - yet the latest crop of north European invaders are very different from their Viking forbears. From the feisty Ida Maria to the twee Those Dancing Days, the axe wielding berserkers have given way to indie pop temptresses. Yet it is the demure Lykke Li that has formed the vanguard of this assault, with her debut EP Little Bit gaining press and penetration on both sides of the Atlantic, now followed by album Youth Novels which aims to capitalise on this success, developing and refining this first taste which so whet the world's appetite.

Established single Little Bit is the obvious standout track on the album, its simplistic beat forming the perfect frame for the Swede's innocent and sweet vocals, which belie a cunning and knowing lyrical wit. "And for you I keep my legs apart/and forget about my tainted heart" has already been celebrated as a great love line, and the coy chorus is likely destined for a dozen teen dramas. Yet for all the hype, the track retains its beauty - it is light and unassuming, but imbued with delicate emotion. Yet as an introduction to Lykke Li, it can be seen as slightly deceitful.

Elsewhere on the album Li leaves behind this image of pop chanteuse, exposing her forte as a sonic artist. Opening track Melodies&Desires is a sweeping conceptual piece rising slowly like a dancer, accompanied by spoken word instructions - "Love is the harmony/Desire is the key/Love is a symphony/Now play it with me" serves as an unsettling chorus and a mission statement for the record. The result is vaguely reminiscent of Bright Eyes' opening tracks and could well perturb those lured in by Little Bit. Yet it is the artistic flair that echoes through the album. All the tracks are stripped down to a minimalist core, beats and blips providing ample background to Li's wispy vocals - This Trumpet in My Head boasts less than twenty words in the lyrics it drapes over a gently plucked guitar in an effect reminiscent of Rio en Medio, although still contains the subdued gem of "I shot you with my silence". Just as intoxicating is the jarred Complaints Department, which layers unadorned electronica beneath repetitive lyrics telling of failing love. All these tracks indicate an artist above the normal pop plane, and provide scintillating, and unmistakably Scandinavian, soundscapes.

However this is not to say that the rest of the album is devoid of pop sensibilities. Dance Dance Dance is a enchanting piece combining the arty pull with the push of a traditional verse/chorus/verse in a way which lends it, rather aptly, to the dancefloor, whilst the futuristic I'm Good, I'm Gone's ascending melody and staccato phrasing combine with a radio friendly chorus into a triumph of indie-pop majesty. Yet it is the sorrowful Scandinavian soul of Everybody But Me which is the most accessible track on the album. A scent of the Sixties makes it similar to Lucky Soul, and its tale of a clubland wallflower bites with a modern panache - "Should I go home sober/Or should I buy me another glass of wine and forget about time?" skilfully undercuts Li's innocent expression, as does her excellent description of the lounging lotharios that emerges in the second verse. The result is a beguiling torch song that cannot help but permeate your heart.

Ultimately, Youth Novels is an album pulling in two directions, on the one hand artistic experimentation shines through via the insubstantial soundscapes that pass through the records periphery, on the other the infective pop of what will prove to be outstanding singles. Yet it is the blend of these two flavours that really make the album. Li's tender voice and lyrical skill lend themselves to both quests, as does the uncomplicated musical arrangement. The album is adept at evoking imagery - the Li herself appears both vulnerable and strong "I like the way tears suit my face" a perfect example of this of Let it Fall, whilst many songs easily portray the songstress's sparse home country. For all its beauty, many of those enticed by a listen to Little Bit may find this album rather hard to stomach, but for those with the correct palate, this album will stimulate senses and continue to seduce.