Described as "a collection of recordings 2004–2007" on Lekman's website and in the album's liner notes,[1] Night Falls Over Kortedala was released in Scandinavia on the label Service on 5 September 2007 and worldwide on 9 October 2007 through Secretly Canadian.

The subject matter includes Lekman's first kiss—supposedly at age 19[citation needed] ("And I Remember Every Kiss")—and being introduced as the boyfriend of his lesbian friend to her parents ("A Postcard to Nina"), as well as songs about "sublime haircuts, out-of-office replies, avocado-related mishaps and asthma inhalers", as described in a Pitchfork write-up on the album.

[7] Mark Richardson of Pitchfork felt that the album's "vinyl-crackling arrangements" and "wry, sometimes melancholic observations" make for "Lekman's best record, one likely to captivate even those who were skeptical of his previous releases".

[14] Tim Sendra of AllMusic hailed Night Falls Over Kortedala as Lekman's best album to date, calling it "witty, pretty, silly, and wise; and filled with instantly memorable melodies, thrilling moments of surprise in the arrangements, and laugh-out-loud lyrics".

"[12] Robert Christgau, writing for MSN Music, said of Lekman: "Loaded with talent, heart and personality, he's an eccentric who still thinks the world is his friend, and one more sweet argument for the civilized compromises of democratic socialism.

[18] Entertainment Weekly critic Leah Grenblatt praised the album's sound as "a swirl of sparkly '60s orchestration and horns – an achievement worth a thousand days of Night.