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If you thought pop music was getting a bit stale, then you clearly haven't listened to the new CEO album, Wonderland. A pop record like no other, Swedish producer Eric Berglund has crafted a dark, insane sugar rush of electronic sounds on his second release, and while the album is a spectacular listen, it is of slight concern that he insists the record reflects the inner workings of his mind...
"That intense feeling of a lot of contrasting things happening at the same time is what I often feel inside," he tells us. "Like all kinds of creatures with different intentions, causing havoc, causing bliss.
"Someone said the other day that it's cute and hard at the same time and that made me a bit relieved cause then I felt I must be quite close to a accurate expression of my emotional world."
Lead single from the album, 'Whorehouse' demonstrates CEO's 'cute and hard' sound perfectly - with a frantic, carnival sound that threatens at any moment to tip over into chaos, but always remains under the strict control of Berglund's wishes. It makes a change from ticking off the staples from the pop checklist (rousing chorus? Check. Key change? Check). This is something entirely different.
Watch the video for 'Whorehouse' below
While Berglund insists it's more good fortune than carefully production planning that things never get out of hand, he admits that his distinct sound comes from simply ignoring what other musicians are doing, and taking inspirations from his own inner workings.
"I follow my heart for real," he says. "It may sound a bit lofty and if so I'm sorry baby but that's how it is. If you don't look over your shoulder all the time you will see a lot more of what is inside and around you. Your visions will be a lot richer, your visions will be unique. I try to capture those visions and it's an essential but extremely frustrating chore."
But it's not all about spinning pop gold from his inner monologue, oh no. Berglund also adds that while he never finds himself inspired by other people's music to make his own - and in fact, doing so can either make him super affectionate or just plain violent.
"When I hear good music I don't feel like making music, then I want to hug people, run, just breathe or smash something you know? Not sit clanking on a piano," he tells us. Which makes perfect sense, adding that he does however, find inspiration in 'girls and exercise'. Fortunately, there are no songs on Wonderland about women's sweaty gym-wear.
Listen to title track 'Wonderland' below
Wonderland is CEO's second album, following up his 2010 debut, White Magic. A bigger, noisier affair, he admits the album is 'more free, more open, more adventurous', but when it comes to his pop peers, he fully understands why other musicians don't feel confident taking the risks he has with his second album.
"It's fucking scary to spend a lot of time and energy on things that you have no clue if people will be able to relate to," he says, relating to the 'safe' pop world of mainstream music and albums recorded solely to gain radio play. "I felt that fear creeping up at points during the work with Wonderland, it's just not strong enough to affect my work anymore. I have no choice these days cause getting uncomfortable and through that evolve is the only motivation big enough to make me go through this kinda work."
Almost exclusively studio based, CEO reveals that it would be highly unlikey for him to take his sound to festivals this summer - unless he is playing DJ sets (saying that it would be 'awesome' to invite loads of people on stage to dance, take photos and hug him while he plays his favourite songs). As for hopes for 2014, he doesn't have grand plans to dethrone Katy Perry and Lady Gaga from the top of the pop tree, but has instead set his sights on another famous female, Hollywood A-lister, Jennifer Lawrence.
"I'd just like to continue developing spiritually and get closer to life," he says, as he ponders his plans for the coming year. "Or well, to get really close to Jennifer Lawrence too. And climb some mountains. And perfect some fighting moves. That's it."
That is it indeed. Thank you very much CEO. Wonderland is out now.
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