Singer/songwriter Jens Lekman has long had a talent for making the saddest songs seem fun. Whether he’s singing about a broken heart or the failings of man in the world, he can always find a way to make a beat and melody that betrays the torment of the lyrics. He’s also quite clever with his wordplay, so it’s no surprise that his show at Metro in Chicago was a good time.

He’s on the road promoting his latest album Life Will See You Now, but the set wasn’t overrun with fresh songs. He played some old classics that thrilled the audience and kept things moving rather quickly. The only banter for the most part were quick thank you’s and song intros, but he did get a good jab on Trump in at one point. A few songs in he wanted to say a few words about the “tragedy” that happened in Sweden a couple weeks ago. Jens admitted that something big DID in fact happen in Sweden on February 17, 2017…his newest album came out. He then introduced his band and they launched into “What’s That Perfume That You Wear?”

Jens was all smiles through the whole show, hitting highlights like “The Opposite Of Hallelujah,” “I Know What Love Isn’t,” and “Black Cab.” The band came out for one encore and then Lens returned solo to play “Pocketful Of Money” with a big crowd singalong to finish the show off. The crowd was still clamoring for more so Jens returned, hoodie in hand, and declined to play stating that the moment the show ended on was too perfect to ruin. However, if fans had any songs that they didn’t hear, he would sing to them at the merch table.