Zara Larsson’s latest album, 'Midnight Sun', is the ultimate party record we didn’t know we needed. It’s an electrifying, non-stop dance-pop journey that delivers on its promise of a never-ending Swedish summer night. From the first listen, it’s clear the pop powerhouse is operating on a new level of confidence and creative cohesion, serving up a collection of tracks that are both deeply personal and universally euphoric.
The album’s energy is evident from the outset with the single 'Pretty Ugly', a feisty, electro-infused anthem that frames female rage as a glorious, untamed force. With its infectious, chant-like hook, the song sets the tone for the high-energy, sexy, and unapologetic vibe that permeates the rest of the record. Following it up with the transcendent title track, 'Midnight Sun', feels like a natural progression. The song showcases Larsson’s jaw-dropping vocal prowess and is a shimmering pop anthem that has been a viral sensation since its release. As she sings about a “never-ending midnight sun,” you’re reminded that this is an artist who found her voice in a singing competition and is now using it to capture a feeling she knows intimately—a boundless, sun-drenched Swedish summer.
This sense of place and personal history runs throughout the album. Larsson’s visuals, with their vibrant, neon palette, tipped us off early on that this record would be a celebration of happiness and joy. Tracks like 'Blue Moon' are pure bliss, a celebration of romance with heart-racing drum ‘n’ bass rhythms. She sings, “Shine on me, kiss me in the dark, tell me I look beautiful underneath the stars.” But the album isn’t afraid to explore more complex emotions. On 'Girl’s Girl', Larsson dives into the conflicting feelings of having a crush on a friend’s significant other.
Larsson was intimately involved in the creation of this project, working closely with her long-time collaborator MNEK and songwriter Helena Gao. Together, they’ve woven a tapestry of diverse sounds, from trance and Brazilian funk to ballroom, all in an effort to capture Larsson's growth and youthful ambition.
As Larsson herself puts it, “In thinking about this album, I thought, ‘What do I want to say? What do I want this to be?’ I really am proud of my Swedish pop heritage, so I wanted to write about a Swedish summer where the sun never goes down.” The result is an unapologetically unfiltered, vibrant record that feels like a true culmination of her journey, and as she says, “It just feels like me—knowing myself, this album is just really, really me. And also, no one can do me the way I can.”
Zara will also be heading down under in February next year to support OneRepublic on their national tour – these shows will be Zara’s first ever live dates in Australia, with shows in Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.
