Lykke Li's New Musicvideo Is Very Different

As per Lykke Li, "Sadness is a Blessing." (That's the title of her current single, at any rate.) But sadness is also a dark and twisty emotion that'll lead a gal to do strange things -- which is a convenient fact should you happen to need a unique music video.

"Sadness Is a Blessing," which surfaced late yesterday, is directed by Tarik Saleh (who last collaborated with Li on the clip for "I Follow Rivers" -- you know, that song you heard on Glee). In the opening, we find Li in a restaurant, dining out with fellow Swede, actor Stellan Skarsgard (Pirates of the Caribbean, Thor, a few Lars Von Trier movies that are infinitely sadder than this clip).

Is Skarsgard her dad? Her boyfriend? An orderly from the mental institution who's taken her out on a day-pass? That little detail remains unclear -- but for the first moments of the video, Li and he are caught in some sort of stand-off, as she orders shot after shot of vodka, while the rest of the restaurant gapes at the scene in silent horror.

From there, Li does what any normal young girl would do after downing half a bottle of Sweden's finest: she throws herself into dancing with abandon while the sound of her Ronettes-esque Wounded Rhymes track swells. It's a pity-party for one -- which is a little unsettling, but certainly stylish.

Li set herself up in L.A. during the making of current album Wounded Rhymes, and according to the Guardian, the musician dedicated some time there to studying acting (which may or may not account for her performance in the clip). The singer tours North America this spring. She reaches Montreal May 21, and dates in Toronto (May 22) and Vancouver (May 27) are already sold out, according to her website.