Lykke Li on U2: 'They taught me how to sing in tune'

Lykke Li has discussed her recent appearance on U2's surprise new album Songs Of Innocence, saying Bono instructed her "how to sing in tune."

The singer was the only guest on the band's album, which was released for free on iunes with no warning. Li contributed vocals for the closing track 'The Troubles'.

Speaking of her collaboration with the band, the singer told Rolling Stone that "Bono was very kind. He was kind of like the quiet leader, instructing me how to sing in tune – which I usually don’t."

She added: "Mostly, they let me do my own thing, but we tried different things like to whisper it to someone or to scream it to someone, but it was all about creating intimacy. We turned off all the music and sang only to the drums, so it was really getting to what the core of the song meant. I had a wonderful time.”

As for why she was chosen to appear on the album, Li told the magazine, "He said I blew everyone out of the water," adding that 'Never Gonna Love Again' was Bono's favourite track from her latest album I Never Learn.

She also explained that she's excited for her Dad, who is currently "on a mountaintop somewhere", to hear the song. "He won't believe it," she said. "It's such a trippy thing to have your daughter sing with U2."

Songs Of Innocence.will be released in its physical form on 13 October, including a deluxe, gatefold double album, an acoustic session of songs from the album and four additional tracks: 'Lucifer's Hands', 'The Crystal Ballroom' and alternative versions of 'The Troubles'  and 'Sleep Like a Baby Tonight'.

13 NOVEMBER 2014 – Hammersmith Apollo, London
15 NOVEMBER 2014 – Albert Hall, Manchester
16 NOVEMBER 2014 – Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland