On March 5, Zara Larsson released “Poster Girl,” yet another club-warm-up album, the genre she managed to define and never break free from. With synth-heavy and driving songs like “FFF” and “Look What You’ve Done,” she keeps the pace with previous albums like “So Good” and showcases her range in “Need Someone.”
POSTER GIRL OF PRINCESS POP
“Need Someone” begins with a weaving piano background that unites beautifully with her classic, layered and well-punctuated approach. It is a clear departure from her previous works, showing diversity. The song escalates nicely, keeping interest throughout.
This laid-back approach is intertwined throughout the album, especially in “Ruin My Life,” but her tracks sound like every other pop song about obsession. “Stick With You” follows this trend, but more satisfyingly. Instead of layering heavily, the beat pops consistently throughout the song, giving it a nice flow.
Her vocals are crisp and impressive, nicely produced throughout. Showing good range and control, she glides through her octave-spanning melodies with ease. If nothing else, Larsson is a good singer.
The syncopated approach in “What Happens Here” is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, with sing-able lyrics perfect for screaming in the car but not really for anything else. Overall, the album fails to distinguish itself significantly from her previous works and the pop-princess genre, both in message and in sound.
MEDIOCRE MESSAGE
With lyrics like “I can’t contain my bones” and “Patience is a virtue,” this album is riddled with clichés, showing saltine-level flavor. Though there is some redemption to be found in “Right Here” when she sings:
“Baby I don’t understand who are you with/ Is it me or the light in your hand,” alluding to the attachment she lacks with her partner because of his addiction to his phone.
On the title track of her album, she sings, “Someone call a lifeboat/ ‘Cause I’m drowning in your vibe,” in the first verse. Absolutely no listener needs a life boat while listening, as the depth of this statement is equitable to a kiddie pool.
She meanders through love, the lack of it, a breakup comeback commentary and the results of this tangled, basic mess in a riot of pop-infused beats. Though the album is club-ready or perfect for a backyard party, “Poster Girl” fails to say anything original or distinguish itself based on sound.
