During August 2024, Swedish singer Zara Larsson’s song “Symphony” (2017) went viral on TikTok. The popularity of this seven-year-old song not only reminded people of Larsson’s abilities but also evoked a yearning for the music of the 2010s. The classic dance-pop that characterized the viral song is also prominent in her new album “Midnight Sun,” released on Sept. 26. Put out a decade into her music career, Larsson’s fifth studio album combines her personal sound with current trends in pop music.
Larsson released the album’s title track single on June 13, setting the stage for a reimagination of dance pop in mainstream music. “Midnight Sun” follows the same genre as Larsson’s previous albums but with an amplified feeling of nostalgia. The highly produced nature of “Midnight Sun” reemphasizes the feeling of the autotune and synthetic sounds that dominated the 2010s. The lead single also sets the stage for the rest of the album when Larsson sings, “Summer isn’t over yet,” implying underlying tensions over a happy-go-lucky manner.
The tracks “Girl’s Girl” and “Crush” characterize the narrator as someone who develops complex feelings about her life. “Girl’s Girl” describes someone who wants to pursue another girl’s partner but understands that this pursuit is wrong. Larsson sings, “But you’re with somebody else, I know that girl / Since we were ten and twelve,” illustrating how the narrator knows what she is doing but cannot seem to stop. Moreover, the energetic production masks these tensions through fun and dreamy sounds. Even on the song “Crush,” which describes the narrator falling for someone who she knows would be bad for her, Larsson plays with words to demonstrate her mixed emotions. On one hand, the narrator really likes this person, but she also knows that she will be “crushed” in the end. The narrator, hyper-aware of her feelings, tries to sway her feelings by admitting, "I can't help that I feel like this.”
Most of the songs on the album have a bubbly and sweet production. At times, the blaring production risks overshadowing the poignant lyrics, but it remains balanced. None of the tracks feel out of place, even as the synth mixes with solemn lyrics. Furthermore, the combination of introspective language and the dynamic production amplifies the delivery of the album’s message: an ethereal and grounded story of life.
The backend of the album further emphasizes the underlying tensions that the narrator confronts in her life and the people around her. “The Ambition” illustrates how the narrator desperately wants to be validated by the people around her, but instead, she sings that "Everything's a competition (So out of touch).” Not only does the narrator need to be the best, but she also needs to be told that she is the best. This feeling of never amounting to anything overshadows the dream of making it big in Hollywood.
“Saturn’s Return” shows the consequences of “The Ambition.” The narrator needs to take control of her life, but simultaneously, does not know what to do. But, unlike in the previous song, she recognizes her status as a seasoned musician. As she sees it, making mistakes or not having a goal seems pathetic for someone of her stature. The narrator still feels trapped in a hole she dug for herself. These lyrics are bound to the classic sounds of pop music, connecting the mainstream audience to the narrator’s life. It is almost like a puzzle for the listener to figure out what the narrator is saying under the dreamy production sounds.
For listeners who do not decipher the meaning of every word in Larsson’s songs, “Eurosummer” and “Puss Puss” encapsulate the genre of dance pop. It is as if Larson intended these songs for parties, clubs or even raves. Both songs feature beat drops, simple lyrics and a fun chorus, aspects traditional to a mainstream pop song. In “Eurosummer,” Larsson sings, “I’ll be your girl for two months / You tell your friends I’m too fun / Naked and never sober / This feels like Euro summer,” hyping up the listener into feeling like they can do anything. The production is still similar to the rest of the songs on the album, so these songs do not feel out of place. Rather, these tracks balance out the anxiety-ridden tracks with fun, upbeat adventures.
By combining current trends in pop music, such as in-depth lyrics with an upbeat tune, and Larsson’s expertise in dance pop, “Midnight Sun” uses nostalgia to create something new and fresh. The old sounds from the 2010s remind listeners of a different time, but do not feel dated, as Larsson combines elements from more current pop hits. With “Midnight Sun,” Larsson balances between well-produced music and touching lyrics — a proven formula for the perfect pop record.
