After 2023’s unfocused ‘Venus’ failed to scale the heights of her early chart successes, Zara Larsson delivers a more cohesive statement with ‘Midnight Sun’. This 10 track collection represents a significant improvement in terms of quality control, even if it doesn’t entirely succeed in updating her sound.
The album’s major red flag is its inconsistent execution. The opening title track exemplifies this issue — Larsson’s vocals are undeniably compelling, but the production feels frozen in time around 2015’s euro-dance revival. Similarly, Blue Moon showcases excellent songwriting from longtime collaborator MNEK, yet its Ibiza-ready aesthetic feels disconnected from contemporary pop music: it’s not going to dethrone Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae anytime soon.
However, the album’s midsection reveals Larsson at her most confident. Pretty Ugly bursts with defiant energy as she rails against industry expectations: “Everybody’s tellin’ me to sit there really pretty / but I’m feelin’ like I wanna cause some trouble.”
Girl’s Girl finally approaches contemporary pop sensibilities with its muscular house beat, while Crush delivers the kind of radio-ready hook that could genuinely compete with current megastars in peak form.
Structurally, ‘Midnight Sun’ is like a well-constructed sandwich. There’s a mouthwatering middle in Pretty Ugly, Girl’s Girl, Crush, Eurosummer, and Hot & Sexy, while Blue Moon, The Ambition, Saturn’s Return, and Puss Puss function as the bread holding everything together and adding texture. Still, you’ll find yourself chewing through them to reach the good stuff.
Lyrically, Larsson embraces life’s messiness with refreshing honesty. The album chronicles her navigation of public scrutiny and private growth, acknowledging the grey areas that define adult existence. The Ambition proves particularly revealing as she wrestles with stardom’s cost: “Numbers meaning more than words / but what's it worth?” Tracks such as Crush explore the temptation and lust that complicate modern relationships. There’s sin, there’s sexuality, and there’s fun. It’s unapologetic pop that doesn't shy away from deeper subject matter — but is it enough?
Long-term songwriter and producer MNEK’s influence remains a double-edged sword throughout. His production elevates weaker material while also anchoring Larsson to retrospective sounds when bold reinvention might serve her better. ‘Midnight Sun’ succeeds as course correction rather than breakthrough, offering genuine improvements over ‘Venus’ while still feeling too safely nostalgic when fearless evolution was required.
Zara Larsson Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed November 05 2025 - LONDON OVO Arena Wembley
Fri November 07 2025 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Sun November 09 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Victoria Warehouse
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