It’s a bit weird that Zara Larsson isn’t one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. Continuously packaged and produced for breakout success, and with a decade of Europop bangers already under her belt, it feels like she should be everywhere. But, for a variety of reasons, it hasn’t happened. Her new album ‘Venus’ is a fairly transparent attempt to course-correct her career.
It finds the Swedish artist stepping up to the songwriting plate, helping pen nine of its 12 tracks. Released through her own Sommer House label, this new-found artistic freedom inspires a clutch of home runs, from the ABBA-infused hyperpop of lead single Can’t Tame Her to the bass-thumping EDM throwback On My Love.
But what goes up must come down, and there is trouble to be found when ‘Venus’ slows its pace. Soundtrack shoots for the stars with silky strings, and Death Cab For Cutie’s Zac Rae’s glimmering piano, but burns out quickly.
The Healing, meanwhile, is a parade of cliches, while End Of Time is an awkward riff on Kylie’s Can't Get You Out of My Head.
Larsson fares far better on None Of These Guys and You Know Who You Love. Both meditate on beauty, love, and power, the latter offering a searing take on a toxic relationship from the point of view of an onlooker, while remaining sugar-sweet .‘Venus’ could have been great if this was its default mode, but a slew of slow-burners and sloppy songwriting choices knock it from gold to bronze.
Zara Larsson Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri February 16 2024 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy 1
Sat February 17 2024 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Sun February 18 2024 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Wed February 21 2024 - LONDON Roundhouse
Thu February 22 2024 - LONDON Roundhouse
Thu June 20 2024 - LONDON Pryzm Kingston
Fri June 21 2024 - DUBLIN Fairview Park
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