(Image via The Music Universe)

Staff Editor: Aidan Danforth 

Email: adanforth@umassd.edu 

The Swedish singer known for her combination of dance, electronic, and emotional music is back with her new album titled “Midnight Sun.” This is her fifth studio album she’s released since entering the world of music when she was 10. 

Fans have been anticipating this album since the release of singles “Pretty Ugly,” and “Midnight Sun.” Both of these songs showcase Zara’s talents as an artist with her catchy lyrics and melodies. And now, she’s gifted her fans with more incredible tracks. 

Each of these new tracks has its own distinct identity and feel that combines themes of ambition, identity, and self-reflection while completing Zara’s pop superstar puzzle. 

Blue Moon

If you’re looking for a song that screams Zara, this is by far the track that excels at that. The track begins like any Zara song with her deep and emotional voice as she sings “Shine on me, kiss me in the dark. Tell me I look beautiful underneath the stars.” 

The background instrumentals also work really well as they add to the romance and love theme of this track. And that’s what this song symbolizes: the amazing feeling of being in love with another person. 

Something that Zara has always been credited for is her ability to mix the energetic and emotional aspects of pop music. It just feels like a pop song, a really good pop song.

Eurosummer

“Eurosummer” takes the listener back in time to 2010 as this song really has a 2010s vibe that makes it addicting. This song is right up there with “Midnight Sun” as the best track on this album as it just feels so good. 

The electro instrumentals that consist of guitar, bass, and drums all fit perfectly with Zara’s playful and vulnerable lyrics. They blend into this happy and cheerful experience that can turn anyone’s frown upside down and force them to get up and dance.

Even as I write this review, I cannot stop listening to this song because of its contagious energy and vibe. Another part of what makes Zara’s music a must-listen for any pop fans. 

Hot & Sexy

Immediately, the second you listen to the background vocalist, you already have a feeling what this song is going to be about. Lots of high energy along with playful lyrics that perfectly present the feel of this album. 

It’s another track made to make the listener feel good. And that’s exactly what the song is about: embracing your confidence while having a kind of swagger as you walk throughout the room. 

“Hot & Sexy’s” feel and combination of genres, such as bubblegum bass, Brazilian funk, and techno beats have a Charli XCX feel with the background vocals and the dance-like beats scream Zara just with some Charli sprinkled in there. 

Girl’s Girl

Despite this song also having a similar energetic feeling as the others, Zara still finds a way to make each track have its own distinct identity. 

“Girl’s Girl” has its own unique theme with it being about a conflicting dilemma. An internal conflict for a girl wanting to be with her friends while also dealing with being in love. A relatable conflict that most people can resonate with. 

Most of the songs on this album give the listener a great amount of energy, but this one does that while giving the person a sense of relatability that allows them to connect with Zara’s powerful lyrics.  

The other three songs on the album, “Puss Puss,” “The Ambition,” and “Saturn’s Return” also have their own unique themes and feelings that make them worth listening to as this album is perfect 10/10. 

Fans already had high expectations with “Midnight Sun,” “Pretty Ugly,” and “Crush,” and the queen of energetic and vibey pop delivered with an amazing set of tracks that fully display Zara’s talents as a lyricist and songwriter. 

Each track just feels so good that it’s almost impossible to give this album a full listen without it  putting a smile on your face. That is especially important in this ever chaotic world. Having music that just makes people feel energized and feel good about themselves is exactly what makes Zara such an important artist in the pop industry that has continued to release hit after hit to the pop world.