Poster Girl | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 5 March 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2018–2020 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:41 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Zara Larsson chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Singles from Poster Girl | ||||
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Poster Girl is the third studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released internationally on 5 March 2021 by TEN Music Group and Epic Records. [1] Recording sessions for the album began in 2018 and continued during the Covid-19 pandemic. A deluxe edition of the album subtitled Summer Edition was released on May 21,2021 and contains six additional songs. [2]
The album was supported by the release of four singles;“Ruin My Life”,"Love Me Land","Wow" and "Talk About Love",the latter featuring guest vocals from Young Thug. It also includes the promotional single "Look What You've Done". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release,with critics mainly complimenting its production. Musically,Poster Girl is primarily a Scandipop,pop and dance record with elements of 80s synth-pop and disco.
Commercially,the album debuted at number three on the Swedish Albums Chart,twelve on the UK Albums Chart,and reached the top twenty in several nations. Larsson embarked on the Poster Girl Tour in November 2021 to promote the album. [3]
The album was described as a "dance record from start to finish,fast-paced and symphonic" with no ballads and "'80s synths and R&B-influenced production". Its lyrical content "explore[s] the best and worst parts of pop music's bread and butter:love". [4] Also rooted in Scandipop [5] and pop, [6] it was additionally described as "both a break-up album and a loved-up celebration of a new romance", [7] as well as "weaving themes of unrequited devotion and sobering flits of romantic toxicity into near scientifically engineered pop songs". [8]
The album opens with "Love Me Land",a dance-pop song [9] built around a "pulsing,string-led" beat. [10] "Talk About Love" is an R&B-styled song with a "mellow" feel, [11] [12] which,lyrically,is about the "phase before two people work out what they are to one another". [13] "Need Someone" is a "glistening",midtempo tune, [9] which has an "airy,easy-going vibe",but builds into a "much funkier,bigger anthem",and,musically,has a bassline reminiscent of Tame Impala's "The Less I Know the Better" and a "twinkly" piano line. [10] "Right Here" is about a wondering of why she tries to get the attention of someone who "keeps his eyes on the screen", [6] and references Swedish artist Robyn. [14] "Wow" is an electro [15] and EDM song produced by Marshmello, [9] [11] which has a "bold" bassline and "addictive" vocals. [16] The album's title track is about Zara "feeling out of character as she develops a crush",backed by "glittery" disco production. [10] "I Need Love" is a tropical pop song, [17] that has been described as a "soulful bop",which includes the lyrics:"like an addict needs a drug". [18] "Look What You've Done" is a disco-tinged, [19] breakup track [18] which bears resemblance to the music of ABBA. [6] [20] [21] [22]
"Ruin My Life" is a "faintly masochistic", [9] pop song, [23] which,in Larsson's words,is about "that unhealthy relationship that everyone has at one point in their life". [24] Instrumentation-wise,it is accompanied by an electric guitar and keyboard,and its chorus is "swimming" with synths and a "danceable" drum track. [25] "Stick with You",co-written by Max Martin,has a guitar sound paired with a "driving",electronic beat [26] and sees Larsson's vocal with a "slight country twang". [17] "FFF" (shorthand for "Falling for a Friend") [9] is "playful",though "explicit"; [17] its refrain is reminiscent of Italian classic "Tu VuòFàL'Americano". [5] Vocals with similarity to Dua Lipa,on the song,sing:"Is there a spark for us?/Or is it just purely platonic?/Is this our story arc?/'Cause if it are,it’d be iconic". [26] The album closes with "What Happens Here" has a story of self-assurance and is a "Carly Rae Jepsen-sized euphoric" song, [10] in which she sings:"I'ma do it 'cause it's what I want…To be honest,I don't give no fucks". [6]
The album was preceded by several singles. The lead single,"Ruin My Life",was released on 18 October 2018 [27] and charted in several countries,reaching the top ten in Israel,United Kingdom,Ireland and her native Sweden,peaking at number two. Several standalone singles and collaborations followed between 2018 and 2020,including "Don't Worry Bout Me" [28] and "All the Time". [29] Both songs were later included on the Japanese deluxe edition of the album. [30]
The second single "Love Me Land" arrived on 10 July 2020, [31] peaking at number eight and later being certificated Gold in Sweden. The previously released promotional single "Wow",produced by Marshmello,made a resurgence in popularity after being featured on the 2020 Netflix original movie Work It . This led to Larsson releasing the track as a single. [32] A remix featuring the film's lead actress Sabrina Carpenter was unveiled on 25 September 2020 [33] with its own music video premiering on 7 October. [34] Another single,"Talk About Love" featuring American rapper Young Thug came out on 8 January 2021 with the album's pre-order. [35]
"Look What You've Done" was released as the album's only promotional single on 22 February 2021. [36]
Larsson shared the cover art of the album on 8 January 2021,and revealed the track listing on social media on 10 February 2021. [37] The deluxe edition of the album entitled the “Summer Edition”was released on May 21,2021,including two new songs and multiple new versions of past songs.
To promote the record,Larsson held an online concert on 8 March 2021 for International Women's Day,in partnership with IKEA and presented by Live Nation. [38] To celebrate the release of the “Summer Edition”of the album she held a virtual album release party on Roblox on May 21,2021,with reruns airing throughout that weekend. Larsson embarked on the Poster Girl Tour in support of the album in November 2021. [3]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 72/100 [39] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [40] |
The Arts Desk | [6] |
Clash | 8/10 [17] |
DIY | [19] |
Dork | [41] |
Evening Standard | [20] |
Financial Times | [11] |
The Independent | [5] |
NME | [9] |
Pitchfork | 5.4/10 [42] |
At Metacritic,which assigns a normalised to reviews from professional publications,Poster Girl has an average score of 72 out of 100,based on nine reviews,indicating "generally favourable reviews". [39]
Writing for NME ,Nick Levine described the album as a "catchy and characterful" one,that "feels like a job well done", [9] while DIY's Emma Swann called the album "pure pop escapism". [19] Robin Murray of Clash wrote that Poster Girl is "not all perfect",but an "entertaining" album. [17] Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times described the songs as "nimble and breezy",though said that the album "leaves one impatient for more". [11]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Love Me Land" |
| Gill | 2:40 |
2. | "Talk About Love" (featuring Young Thug) | Sabath | 3:19 | |
3. | "Need Someone" | Mattman & Robin | 2:57 | |
4. | "Right Here" |
| Mattman & Robin | 3:46 |
5. | "Wow" |
| Marshmello | 2:59 |
6. | "Poster Girl" |
|
| 2:57 |
7. | "I Need Love" |
| Starsmith | 3:02 |
8. | "Look What You've Done" |
| Mac | 3:01 |
9. | "Ruin My Life" |
| 3:10 | |
10. | "Stick with You" |
| The Struts | 2:59 |
11. | "FFF" |
| Kirkpatrick | 3:32 |
12. | "What Happens Here" |
|
| 3:19 |
Total length: | 37:41 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "Famous" |
| Evigan | 3:37 |
14. | "When I'm Not Around" |
| Gladius | 3:29 |
Total length: | 44:47 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Don't Worry Bout Me" |
| The Struts | 3:30 |
16. | "All the Time" |
| Lotus IV | 3:48 |
Total length: | 52:05 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "Morning" | Al Shux | 2:54 | |
14. | "Last Summer" |
| 2:55 | |
15. | "I Need Love" (featuring First Aid Kit; live version) |
| Lindvall | 3:20 |
16. | "Ruin My Life" (orchestral version) | 4:43 | ||
17. | "Never Forget You" (orchestral version featuring Sveriges Radios Symfoniorkester) |
| 3:49 | |
18. | "Right Here" (Alok remix) |
|
| 2:35 |
Total length: | 57:49 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
19. | "Säg Mig Var Du Står" (Carola featuring Zara Larsson) | 3:25 |
Total length: | 1:01:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
19. | "Morning" (Billen Ted remix) |
| Al Shux | 2:26 |
20. | "I Need Love" (featuring Trevor Daniel) |
| Lindvall | 3:06 |
Total length: | 1:03:21 |
Performers
Technical
Artwork
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [64] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [65] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF) [66] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Version | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 5 March 2021 | Standard | [67] [68] [69] | ||
United Kingdom | CD | Black Butter | [70] | ||
United States | Target edition | Epic | [71] | ||
Japan | 10 March 2021 | Japanese edition |
| [30] | |
Germany | 26 March 2021 | Standard | Vinyl | [72] | |
Various | 23 April 2021 | Sony | [73] | ||
Various | 21 May 2021 | Summer edition |
|
| [45] |
Sweden | Swedish summer edition | TEN | [74] | ||
Various | 9 July 2021 | Summer edition re-issue |
| [75] | |
Sweden | Swedish summer edition re-issue | TEN | [76] |
Wow! is the fourth studio album by English group Bananarama, released on 4 September 1987 by London Records. The album was entirely produced and co-written with the Stock Aitken Waterman production trio. Tensions between group member Siobhan Fahey and Stock, Aitken and Waterman regarding songwriting input and lyrical content prompted Fahey's departure from Bananarama five months after its release. The album reached number 26 on the UK Albums Chart and number 44 on the US Billboard 200, while peaking at number one in Australia. The album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 3 February 1988.
Zara Maria Larsson is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She first rose to prominence in 2008 after winning the second season of Talang, the Swedish version of the Got Talent format. She later attained international recognition with singles including "Lush Life" (2015), "Never Forget You" (2015), "Girls Like" (2016) with Tinie Tempah, "This One's for You" with David Guetta, "Ain't My Fault" (2016), "I Would Like" (2016), "Symphony" (2017) with Clean Bandit, "Ruin My Life" (2018) and "On My Love" (2023) with David Guetta.
1 is the debut studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released exclusively in Scandinavian countries on 1 October 2014 by TEN Music Group and Universal Music Group. The album is certified platinum in Sweden and gold in Denmark, for selling 40,000 and 10,000 units in the countries respectively. On 30 January 2024, the album was released internationally on all digital platforms.
The discography of Swedish singer Zara Larsson consists of four studio albums, six extended plays, 37 singles, 7 promotional singles and 36 music videos. Five of Larsson's singles, "Uncover", "Lush Life", "Never Forget You", "Ain't My Fault" and "Symphony" have topped the charts in Sweden. "Uncover" and "Lush Life" peaked in the top five in Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, and in the top ten in France.
"Lush Life" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson from her second studio album So Good (2017). It was released in Sweden on 5 June 2015 by TEN Music Group and Epic Records as the lead single from the album. The song was later released internationally on 9 June 2015. A remix of the song featuring Tinie Tempah was released on 26 February 2016.
"Never Forget You" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson and British singer MNEK. It was released on 22 July 2015 in the United Kingdom by TEN Music Group, Virgin EMI and Epic as the second single from Larsson's second studio album So Good (2017).
"This One's for You" is a song by French DJ and music producer David Guetta, featuring Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 13 May 2016 as the official song of the UEFA Euro 2016 held in France. The track was recorded with the help of one million fans around the world through a special online app. American singer Ariana Grande also recorded a demo for the song. The song is included as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Larsson's second studio album So Good (2017).
"Ain't My Fault" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson from her second studio album So Good (2017). It was released on 2 September 2016 through TEN Music Group and Epic Records as the third single from the album. The song received positive reviews from critics upon its release and peaked at number one in Sweden, the top ten in Norway and Romania, and the top 20 in ten additional countries. It is certified Gold or higher in sixteen countries. The remix version of the song features American rapper Lil Yachty.
So Good is the second studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 17 March 2017 by TEN Music Group and Epic Records. It was Larsson's first album in nearly three years following her debut album 1 (2014) and her first album to be released internationally. Recording sessions with a handful of producers for the album began in 2015 and concluded in early 2017. The album includes guest appearances by the rapper Ty Dolla $ign and the singers MNEK and Wizkid.
"Symphony" is a song by British classical crossover band Clean Bandit, featuring Swedish singer Zara Larsson. The song was released on 17 March 2017 as the second single from Clean Bandit's second studio album, What Is Love? (2018). It was also released on the same day as Larsson's second album So Good, where it was included as a bonus track. The single peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming Larsson's first number one on the chart and Clean Bandit's third. Outside the United Kingdom, the single also topped the chart in Larsson's native Sweden, as well as in neighbouring Norway, in addition to being certified Diamond in France and Poland.
"Only You" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 11 August 2017 by TEN Music Group and Epic Records as the seventh and final single from her second studio album So Good (2017). Lyrically, the song is about sexual fulfillment and masturbation. Alternate versions of the single feature Nena and Olivier Dion.
"Don't Let Me Be Yours" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 12 May 2017 by TEN Music Group and Epic Records as the sixth single from her second studio album So Good (2017). The song was co-written by Ed Sheeran, who additionally provided backing vocals.
"Don't Worry Bout Me" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released by TEN Music Group and Epic Records on 28 March 2019. Larsson wrote "Don't Worry Bout Me" with Tove Lo, Rami Yacoub, Linnea Södahl, Whitney Phillips, and The Struts, who also produced the song. It is a dance-pop track with dancehall-infused house production. The song appears as a bonus track on the Japanese deluxe edition of Larsson's third studio album, Poster Girl. The song reached the top 10 in Sweden and Spain.
"Wow" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released as a promotional single on 26 April 2019 through TEN Music Group and Epic Records. It was co-written and produced by Marshmello. The song was featured in the 2020 Netflix movie Work It and was announced by Larsson to be released as a single on 26 August 2020. It serves as the third single from Larsson's third studio album Poster Girl. A remix of the song featuring Sabrina Carpenter was released on 25 September 2020.
"All the Time" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released through TEN Music Group and Epic Records on 21 June 2019. Described as a pop and synth-pop track, it was co-written by Larsson with Noonie Bao, Ilsey Juber, Linus Wiklund and produced by the latter. The song appears as a bonus track on the Japanese deluxe edition of Larsson's third studio album, Poster Girl.
"Love Me Land" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released through TEN Music Group and Epic Records on 10 July 2020 as the second single from Larsson's third studio album Poster Girl (2021). It was co-written by Larsson with Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter and Jason Gill, the latter also producing the song. It has been described as a "a pulsating, attitude-filled dance-pop track."
The Don't Worry Bout Me Tour was the second major concert tour by Swedish singer Zara Larsson, in support of her first international debut studio album, So Good (2017) and her then-unreleased second international studio album Poster Girl (2021). The tour began on April 29, 2019, in San Francisco and concluded on October 3, 2019 in Atlanta.
"Talk About Love" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson, featuring American rapper Young Thug. It was released through TEN Music Group and Epic Records on 8 January 2021 as the fourth and final single from Larsson's third studio album, Poster Girl. It was co-written by Thug and its producer Mike Sabath, as well as Amy Allen and Dewain Whitmore Jr. It has been described as a R&B-styled song.
The Poster Girl Tour was the third concert tour by Swedish singer-songwriter Zara Larsson, in support of her second international studio album Poster Girl (2021). Promoted by Live Nation Entertainment, the tour commenced on 19 November 2021, in Gothenburg, Sweden. It concluded in Oslo on August 20, comprising 22 shows.
Venus is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 9 February 2024 through Sommer House and Epic Records. A dance-pop album, Venus includes themes of love, heartbreak and also explores Larsson's personal relationships with her family and friends. The album was described by Larsson as a "full-on rollercoaster ride of emotion".