More about: Zara Larsson

Zara Larsson released her first album So Good the same year that Dua Lipa shared her self-titled debut. At that time, in 2017, Larsson dominated charts and the summer with tracks such as ‘Lush Life’, ‘Never Forget You’ and ‘I Would Like’. Since then, Dua has gone on to dominate the pop music scene - particularly over the past twelve months - while Larsson has stayed relatively dormant.

Even when she has released, Larsson's cuts haven't made quite the same impact...strange considering just how strong they’ve been, something you’re quickly reminded of with Poster Girl opener, last years ‘Love Me Land’ which sets the scene for the following fourteen tracks perfectly. Like a poster, it’s no coincidence the production is coated with a glossy sheen, Larsson uses the low bassline to do vocal acrobatics across the track, showcasing what is a somewhat underused range on the rest of the album.

There’s only one feature on the record belonging to Young Thug, who unfortunately doesn’t offer much to ‘Talk About Love’ which is a pretty standard pop ballad. Despite this minor hiccup, the first half of the record really shines. ‘Need Someone’ is a tropical chilled out pop song which begs to be played with the car windows down low on a sunny day. ‘I’m Right Here’ meanwhile features some of the most interesting use of production on the record, halfway between chart-friendly hit and club dancefloor stomper, it also approaches unrequited feelings from an interesting direction, skewing the ballad for a sultry smash instead as Larsson pleads for her partner’s attention on the chorus: “I could be naked at dinner and touching the waiter, the baddest behaviour”.

This brings us to the shining centrepiece of the album, the criminally underappreciated ‘WOW’ which received little love on its release almost two years ago but still stands strong as one of the finest pop anthems of the past few years. Utterly compelling (whereas on the previous track Larsson was fighting for attention), on 'WOW’ she doesn’t even need to ask. Deep horns blare around your ears as the bass and beat thumps to the floor. It’s a short and sweet shot of pure adrenaline and joy - even two years later it makes us want to throw our hands in the air. 

Other highlights include early single ‘Ruin My Life’ which is a fine tuned, soaring power ballad. Then there’s also the addictively charming ‘FFF’ a tale of friends discovering additional benefits, with a delicious chorus that features an incredibly familiar hook, that we just can’t put our finger on. Nevertheless it will be glued firmly into your brain after your first listen. 

Thematically the album touches on sexuality, love and romance with a feverous intensity. It’s incredibly refreshing to see female desire represented so confidently. Larsson explores lust in all of its complexities and explicit glory, it can be felt throughout the record, really adding an extra emotional punch to her delivery on each track. It’s also sonically a very cohesive record: every track fits into the album like a jigsaw piece, even the old singles slotting in perfectly. Unfortunately, it means other tracks, most notably on the second half of the album, can feel repetitive (‘Stick With You’, ‘Look What You’ve Done’ and ‘Poster Girl’) with Zara’s vocals merely sitting on the - whilst admittedly slick - at times by the numbers and stale production. It’s an incredibly well-crafted and solid pop record, we just wish it took that extra bold leap to become a truly great one. 

Poster Girl arrives 5 March via TEN/EPic Records.

More about: Zara Larsson