The month of February, with its overload of flowers, candy and everything heart-shaped, is an annual celebration of that warm, fuzzy feeling we call love.
But if you aren鈥檛 in a steady relationship or even stuck in a toxic one, 鈥檚 latest album 鈥淰enus鈥� might be exactly what you need.
鈥淰enus鈥� is a fourth record for Larsson, showcasing a more emotional and daring side of her talents, diving deeper into who she is and where she comes from atop her characteristic Europop sound.
It begins with the album artwork: Larsson is nude 鈥� vulnerable and powerful 鈥� with a visible tattoo of the letter 鈥淗鈥� on her ribcage for her sister, Hannah. The singer is posed to recreate Sandro Botticelli鈥檚 鈥淭he Birth of Venus鈥� painting, her modesty protected only by her long golden hair and a pink chrome seashell.
And just like the messaging behind the famous work, Larsson鈥檚 latest album feels like a rebirth and a celebration of beauty, as though she takes the role of wise older sister for all her fans looking for a romantic resurrection of their own.
The first track, -channeling synth pop of 鈥淐an鈥檛 Tame Her,鈥� establishes that Larsson's album is not simply preoccupied with heartbreak 鈥� rather, there is very little time left to cry when you are dancing the night away.
鈥淪o if she wants to party all night/No you can鈥檛 tame her no/ And you can鈥檛 tie her down/When the night comes around,鈥� she sings over an upbeat melody.
On 鈥淥n My Love,鈥� the artist is joined once again by . The duo previously collaborated in 2016 with 鈥淭his One鈥檚 for You,鈥� the anthem for the UEFA European Football Championship that year.
The 2010s Europop throwback track is about adoration. 鈥淚nto the dark, into the light/Baby I go/Whether it鈥檚 wrong, whether it鈥檚 right/I will follow,鈥� Larsson sings, in a romantic song sweetly dedicated to her own ride-or-die, Hannah.
From one type of love to another, the Rihanna-esque slow burn 鈥淎mmunition鈥� tells the story of a destructive relationship. In the cheery chant-a-long 鈥淵ou Love Who You Love,鈥� Larsson tells a friend to give up a man that brings her down.
Even then, Larsson never stops the dance party: the advice is delivered atop a cheeky pop melody, stuck between funky production and steady percussion. Clearly, Larsson knows how to pair hard truths with joyful music.
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AP music reviews:
Martina Rebecca Inchingolo, The Associated Press
