Swedish Pop Star Zara Larsson Drops Her First Remix Album, Inviting Gal Pals to a Reimagined Midnight Sun
Ladies, you’re going to love this one. Get ready for a Zara Larsson summer.
Midnight Sun: Girls Trip drops today, May 1st, and is glowing with the best female artists. The album features PinkPantheress, Shakira, Madison Beer, Tyla, Kehlani, JT, BAMBII, Margo XS, Emilia, Malibu, Eli, and Helena Gao. Tailored to the individuals she has featured, and tapping into their world, every collaborative song shines with its own individuality, creating a space where confidence, freedom, and self-expression are welcomed and encouraged.
The album feels like a unity. I’m so excited to see all the girly pops in one place, creating a bright world reminiscent of the one established in the movie Barbie.
Zara does a phenomenal job of adapting and blending her sound to the featured artist’s trademark; for PinkPantheress, she kicks it with soft DJ beats and leans into the airy UK drum-and-bass sound. In “Hot & Sexy” with Tyla, the intro reminds me of a song that would feature on The Devil Wears Prada soundtrack or on a runway. It’s a fresh, modern tune that feels familiar to Madonna’s “Vogue.” It’s sexy, confident, and screaming a Girls Trip.
Now, “Eurosummer” with Shakira inhabits the Latin feel of Shakira’s classic rhythmic sway. The song channels the genre’s drum beats and fluid rhythm, with Larsson transitioning into a softer, sultry, and more sensual performance that complements Shakira’s signature sound without abandoning it. Both artists’ styles fuse beautifully, creating an energetic EDM feel. Many listeners feel it sounds familiar to a World Cup song and interweaves a Brazilian feel.
The album’s creative direction, as Zara shares in an interview, is inspired by Charli XCX’s Brat era. She brings elements that show her influence, like incorporating a high club energy and unapologetic confidence. Each song is unique in its own way, yet stays true to Zara’s Midnight Sun sound and remains cohesive overall.
Overall, the album is paving the way to a new path and is revolutionary, not just for Zara but for female voices in the music industry. By blending EDM beats, Latin instrumentals, and energetic club sounds, she delivers an empowering, unapologetically female statement. While building a space rooted in confidence and self-assurance, she uplifts diverse female artists while remaining authentic to her own artistry.
Written by Samantha Ysaguirre
