Lykke Li Inks With Neon Gold Records, New Album ‘The Afterparty’ Due in May

Swedish artist Lykke Li has announced her sixth studio album, "The Afterparty," will be released on May 8. This marks her first new music in four years and is supported by a new partnership with Neon Gold Records and Futures Music Group. A preview single, "Lucky Again," will be issued ahead of the full album. Li, whose influential 2008 debut "Youth Novels" defined a generation of melancholic Scandinavian pop, describes this project as a major creative departure. "I spent those past albums spinning in circles of love addiction," she said. "This is me entering my existential phase."

The nine-track record runs a concise 24 minutes, utilizing orchestral arrangements and broad production. Its artwork presents a striking, fabric-distorted image of Li's face. She frames the album as a direct challenge to contemporary self-improvement trends. "We live in a time obsessed with concepts like 'your higher self,'" Li explained. "I say forget that. This record is about embracing your lower self: the parts fueled by shame, despair, and a desire for revenge." This deliberate focus on raw, darker emotions represents a clear evolution from her previous lyrical themes centered on romance.

Neon Gold founder and Futures Music Group co-CEO Derek Davies highlighted Li's foundational role in the label's history. "Lykke Li's 'Youth Novels' was released eight months before we launched Neon Gold in 2008, and it was hugely inspirational," Davies stated. He acknowledged that her unique sound directly informed the label's early focus on curating Scandinavian pop, a approach that later helped discover artists like Tove Lo. "Her work was the original model for the singular, forward-thinking pop artists we wanted to support," Davies added, calling the new collaboration "an honor that brings our journey full circle."

An extensive worldwide tour will support the album. Li is scheduled to perform at both weekends of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival—a landmark event held annually in Indio, California—in addition to headlining European and South American festival dates. Key performances include a shared bill in Mexico City with Robyn, another iconic Swedish pop innovator, and a spot on a London festival lineup featuring the celebrated UK rock band Wolf Alice. This robust schedule underscores her enduring international appeal nearly two decades into her career.

The complete tracklist is: Not Gon Cry, Happy Now, Lucky Again, Famous Last Words, Future Fear, So Happy I Could Die, Sick Of Love, Knife In The Heart, and Euphoria. Some music industry observers note the album's brief runtime and cohesive theme could be a strategic strength in the current streaming era. "A tight, sub-30-minute album can deliver a powerful, uninterrupted statement," noted a veteran A&R representative speaking on background. "For an established artist like Li, it's an intelligent way to reconnect with longtime listeners while also appealing to modern audiences who often prefer shorter, more concentrated listening experiences."