REVIEW: Zara Larsson releases fifth studio album 'Midnight Sun'
Image: Charlotte Rutherford
Published: 28 September 2025
Swedish superstar Zara Larsson has released her fifth studio album Midnight Sun.
Created over the past year with a range of collaborators including Helena Gao, MNEK, Margo XS, and Zhone, the ten tracks on the album are a celebration of her Swedish heritage and the sense of freedom, joy and romance that summer brings.
It is also an album that sees Larsson reflect on the personal: self-discovery, the ambition that drives her juxtaposed with the overwhelming pressure to succeed, as well as finding a greater sense of self.
“Throughout Midnight Sun I get to just capture that total Scandinavian vibe, which is something that I have grown up with—it's a huge part of me, my happiest memories and my saddest ones, too.,” Larsson says. “A part of my soul is a Swedish summer night. This record encompasses that. It just feels like me—knowing myself, this album is just really, really me. And also, no one can do me the way I can.”
The album kicks off with the title track and second single ‘Midnight Sun’. Against a sparkling, furious synth beat and shimmers, it soon transforms into a full-blooded trance vibe, perhaps perfectly summarising the ethos of the album with Larsson singing of the joy of summer in Sweden when daylight lasts forever: ‘It's golden out all the time’. It also perfectly evokes the feeling of the summer romance and the freedom of long holidays that feel they will never end. ‘Hold me like the pebbles in your hands, initials in the sand….
Summer isn't over yet.”
Latest single ‘Blue Moon’ begins as a slower, gentler track before bringing in the electronic beats as Larsson agains sings of love that is all consuming ‘Shine on me, kiss me in the dark…It's an endless honeymoon phase
And the fire never goes out.”
‘Crush’ is an album highlight and turns the previous messages of love somewhat around, doing what Swedish artists have always done so perfectly - creating a banging pop tune that with an upbeat sound that is the complete opposite of the melancholic lyrics. Larsson reinvents the meaning of the word ‘crush’ when it comes to a romance, in this song an indicator of unrequited love, and literally being crushed. ‘I'm crushed it will never be us / That's why they call it a crush / It will never be love.’
Larsson brings in a Spanish sound on ‘Eurosummer’ which continues the theme of ‘Midnight Sun’ but this time leans into the more decadent side of summer ‘Drunk on the beach, barely getting no sleep / Tell me, how good is this life?…I'll be your girl for two months.’
As the end of the album comes closer, the soundscape takes on a subtly different feel, with a more experimental sound, and lyrics that become more vulnerable. While ‘The Ambition’ doesn’t veer completely away from the electronic dance sound, there is a discordant clashing beat, almost like a flurry of hits, that mirrors the angst Larsson feels as she opens up about her struggles with the never ending need for success and validation. ‘I'm never satisfied because I want number one…it never stops / I wanna be your star /
I wanna be loved.’ The track showcases Larsson’s remarkable voice as she uses her upper register to bring a pensiveness to her plea of ‘I wanna be loved.’
‘Saturn’s Return’ is also a sonic outlier, moving between semi-acoustic electronica and an almost jarring blast of synth beats and then angelic, soaring vocals. The song is almost the antidote to ‘The Ambition’ as it looks at personal growth and how priorities and focus change over time - and timelines mean nothing because goals can be achieved at any time in life. ‘And it feels so good to know I don't know what I'm doing / And I love that I'm free in my naivety, I won't lose it.’
The album ends on ‘Puss Puss’, a playful., sexy track which pairs innocence with sex as Larsson singing of just wanting to stay on the phone with her love - ‘I just wanna keep you on the phone / Wanna keep talkin' and talking’ - but also then taking it further: ‘When you call me / I wanna wear nothing, take it off me’. A jittery electronic track with Larsson’s voice moving between an endearing softness and urgent determination, the song has a delicious breakdown towards the end as it moves into a thundering club classic, before dropping back into its normal rhythm. It’s ends on a voiceover of Larsson’s side of a call before the album closes on the charming ‘puss puss’ refrain.
Larsson has been a powerful voice in global pop since her breakthrough in 2014 with ‘Lush Life’ and Midnight Sun builds on her already incredible legacy. An album primarily of electronic pop where the pace barely lets up - there are no true ballads, for example - it is a satisfying blend of an extremely flexible genre that never feels stilted or samey. The stories Larsson portrays in the songs bring in a true emotional element to the album, with her lyrics carrying deep and connective stories. Whether you want to just hit play and dance, or go on a more considered, submersive listening experience, Midnight Sun is one of those rare album where you can do both. An impressive album from an artist that never disappoints.
Midnight Sun is out now via Sony Music. You can buy and stream here.
Follow Zara Larsson on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Read our six page interview with Larsson in issue 10 of Women In Pop magazine.
ONE REPUBLIC AU/NZ TOUR DATES - Supported by Zara Larsson
4 February 2026 - Auckland, NZ - Spark Arena
6 February 2026 - Sydney, Australia - Qudos Bank Arena
7 February 2026 - Lake Macquarie, Australia - Speers Point Park
11 February 2026 - Gold Coast, Australia - HOTA Outdoor Stage
12 February 2026 - Brisbane, Australia - Riverstage
13 February 2026 - Melbourne, Australia - Sidney Myer Music Bowl
14 February 2026 - Torquay, Australia - Torquay Common
18 February 2026 - Perth, Australia - RAC Arena
