Midnight Sun (Zara Larsson album)
2025 studio album by Zara Larsson
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Midnight Sun is the fifth studio album by Swedish singer and songwriter Zara Larsson. It was released on 26 September 2025, through Sommer House and Epic Records. Larsson worked with a range of collaborators on the album, including partner MNEK, as well as Margo XS, Zhone, and Helena Gao. Inspired by the atmosphere of summer in Sweden, the ten-track project blends electropop, dance-pop, and drum and bass with introspective songwriting, characterised by its focus on personal themes such as ambition, identity, and self-reflection.
- Muzo
- Just for the Record
- Geejam
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| Released | 26 September 2025 | |||
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| Length | 31:58 | |||
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Midnight Sun received universal acclaim from music critics, who praised Larsson's lyrical evolution, vocal performance, and Swedish-tinged production. The album reached number one in Sweden, becoming her third chart-topping album in her home country. It was preceded by the singles "Pretty Ugly", "Midnight Sun" and "Crush", while supported by the Midnight Sun Tour which began in Europe in October 2025. A remix album, Midnight Sun: Girls Trip, was released on 1 May 2026.
Background
Midnight Sun sees Larsson taking creative control, working closely with longtime collaborator MNEK,[1] as well as producers Margo XS, Zhone, and songwriter Helena Gao.[2][3] According to Larsson, the album draws inspiration from the Swedish summer and aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night that never ends.[4][5] In a message to fans, she expressed that Midnight Sun reflects her identity as an artist, describing it as her most personal work to date.[6]
"In thinking about this album, I thought, 'What do I want to say? What do I want this to be?' I really am proud of my Swedish pop heritage, so I wanted to write about a Swedish summer where the sun never goes down. I wanted the whole album to feel like it's a summer night and it never ends. And it doesn't matter if it's December: the summer night will be there for you. It's waiting for you, it will come back for you, and you will come back for it."
Larsson has described it as being shaped by years of reflection and artistic development.[7] During the four-year period between So Good (2017) and Poster Girl (2021), she recorded and ultimately scrapped several album versions, citing the pressure to deliver a strong commercial follow-up.[7][8] Reflecting on the process, she stated: "I must have had five albums in those four years that I was just like, 'No, no, no, not good enough. Let's start over'". The title Midnight Sun was chosen early on and revisited multiple times, with Larsson writing several songs under the same name before finalizing the concept.[8]
In a March 2026 interview with Elle magazine, Larsson discussed the upcoming release of the album's deluxe edition, teasing that the expanded project will be "a motherquake".[9] On 30 March 2026, during a soundcheck for her Midnight Sun Tour in Philadelphia, she confirmed a fan's question about whether the deluxe version would be similar to Charli XCX's remix album, Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat (2024). She also noted that the upcoming remixes would feature artists that she has "been dreaming of working with". On 1 April 2026, MNEK indicated that they were set to begin work on the deluxe edition the following week.[10]
Composition
Midnight Sun is an electropop,[11][12] dance-pop,[13] and drum and bass[12] record that blends polished pop production with introspective lyrics, drawing on Larsson's experiences with ambition, self-doubt, and personal growth.[8] Lyrically, Larsson embraces life's messiness with refreshing honesty, chronicling her navigation of public scrutiny and private growth while acknowledging the grey areas that define adult existence.[14] It incorporates a range of styles, including trance, Brazilian funk, and ballroom-inspired sounds, creating a diverse palette that complements its thematic focus on personal growth and youthful energy.[15] According to The Fader, the album carries a distinctive quality compared to her earlier work.[16]
Songs
The album opens with the title track, which draws inspiration from summer nights in Sweden, where the sun barely sets and the atmosphere feels timeless.[17] Larsson described the song as central to defining the album's tone, blending a sense of freedom with emotional depth.[18] The track captures themes of clarity, presence, and paradoxical carefreeness, which she summed up as: "I don't give a fuck, but I do care a lot, and I hope and I pray and I manifest".[19] "Blue Moon" is characterized as a Baltimore club–influenced love story.[20] "Pretty Ugly" is described as a hedonistic shrugging-off of traditional roles by way of "Hollaback Girl."[20] "Girl's Girl" explores the internal conflict of having an attraction to a close friend's boyfriend, with Larsson noting that the song was inspired by her own experiences at sixteen.[20] "Crush" addresses the challenge of resisting attraction to a forbidden subject.[20] "Eurosummer" is a Eurodance song that details a casual summer relationship in Europe.[21]
"Hot & Sexy" combines bubblegum bass, Brazilian funk, and techno elements, incorporating themes of female autonomy and societal expectations. Larsson stated that the song concludes with a message emphasizing the right for women to enjoy themselves freely, regardless of external judgments.[20] It also draws on ballroom influences, adding a vogue-inspired energy that underscores its playful yet confrontational tone.[15] The track "The Ambition" reflects these themes, addressing internal pressure and comparison. Larsson has described ambition as "both a blessing and a curse", influencing the album's emotional tone. The concept of the "midnight sun" serves as a symbolic link to her Swedish roots and evolving identity.[8] The penultimate track, "Saturn's Return" is described as reflective, airy, and celestial, with Larsson singing about letting go of pressures and embracing uncertainty.[15] The album's closer, "Puss Puss", begins as a personal sign-off to a boyfriend over the phone and transitions into an uptempo track.[20]
Promotion
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Midnight Sun was accompanied by vibrant styling that Larsson described as a "European Hawaii" look—"like Scandinavian core blended with tropical fantasy".[22] With makeup done by Sophia Sinot, and styling and creative direction done by Caterina Ospina and Kai Movellan,[23] Larsson gained media attention for Midnight Sun's aesthetic.[23][24]
Larsson promoted Midnight Sun with an iHeartRadio Album Release Party, where she performed new music and participated in a Q&A hosted by iHeartRadio's JoJo. The event was broadcast on 29 September via iHeartRadio's Hit Nation station.[25] In October 2025, Larsson appeared on UK content creator GK Barry's podcast Saving Grace to further promote the project.[26] In further promotion for the album, she opened for Tate McRae's Miss Possessive Tour in North America.[2]
Larsson embarked on the Midnight Sun Tour in support of the album, which began in October 2025. The tour visits cities in Europe and North America.[6][27] In April, Larsson announced that a deluxe edition of the album, subtitled Girls Trip, would be released on 1 May.[28] Later revealed to be a remix album, Midnight Sun: Girls Trip contains remixed versions of the songs from the original album, featuring artists including Emilia, PinkPantheress, Robyn, Shakira, and Tyla, among others.[29]
Singles and videos
The album's lead single, "Pretty Ugly", was released on 25 April 2025,[30] alongside its music video directed by Charlotte Rutherford and choreographed by Zoi Tatopoulos.[31] An electroclash and pop song, it was noted by critics as a departure from the sound of her previous effort Venus (2024),[32][33] and has been described as a "feminist message".[33] Commercially, the track reached number 14 in Sweden,[34] and number 61 in Norway.[35]
The title track "Midnight Sun" was released on 13 June, as the album's second single.[36] The song features electropop and hyperpop production. Its music video was released on 24 June, and takes inspiration from the Y2K aesthetic.[37] Commercially, the track reached number four in Sweden,[38] number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it became Larsson's highest charting solo song,[39] and number seven in the United Kingdom.[40]
On 15 August, "Crush" was released as the third single from the album.[41] Its music video was released on 27 August, and was directed by Grant James Thomas.[42][43] The track was the second single from the album to be sent to contemporary hit radio in the United States, following "Pretty Ugly", where it reached number 17 on the Pop Airplay chart,[44] and number one on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart.[45] Elsewhere, the track reached number 32 in Sweden,[46] and number 56 in Norway.[47]
On 13 February 2026, Larsson released "Hot & Sexy" as 7" single alongside "Crush", via Urban Outfitters, as the album's first promotional single.[48]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.6/10[49] |
| Metacritic | 89/100[50] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Clash | 8/10[51] |
| Dagens Nyheter | 3/5[52] |
| DIY | [53] |
| Dork | 4/5[54] |
| Gaffa |  [55] |
| Göteborgs-Posten | [56] |
| Rolling Stone | [57] |
| Stereoboard | [14] |
| Svenska Dagbladet |  [58] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Midnight Sun received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 89 out of 100 from 4 critic scores.[50] The review aggregator site AnyDecentMusic? compiled 7 reviews and gave the album an average of 7.6 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[49]
AllMusic praised Midnight Sun as a breezy and energetic dance-pop album that reflects both Larsson's Swedish roots and her personal growth. The review highlighted her Rihanna-like vocals, diverse production from collaborators including MNEK, and a balance between euphoric pop tracks and more introspective moments.[13] Clash described the album as a return to form for Larsson, contrasting it with Venus. It noted that the album avoids heavy concepts in favor of consistently catchy Scandipop.[51] DIY described Midnight Sun as a vibrant, maximalist pop record that blends electronica, dance, Scandi-pop, and R&B, showcasing Larsson's versatility. The review also highlighted her reunion with MNEK, praising the album's energetic production and its mix of bold party tracks and more introspective moments.[53] Dork wrote that while Midnight Sun opens with the polished, radio-friendly pop Larsson is known for, the album ultimately reflects her own confident personality and independence from outside expectations.[54] Rolling Stone wrote that Midnight Sun sustains "high-energy dance-pop joy" from beginning to end, celebrating the endless summer atmosphere of Larsson's native Sweden. The title track was highlighted as "deliriously hypnotic", capturing the experience of partying through 24 hours of daylight.[57]
In a more mixed assessment, Stereoboard's Jack Press rated the album three out of five stars, noting that while MNEK's production elevates weaker material, it also ties Larsson to retrospective sounds when bolder reinvention might have been more effective. He concluded that Midnight Sun works better as a course correction than a breakthrough, improving on Venus while still leaning too safely on nostalgia.[14]
"Midnight Sun" was nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, becoming Larsson's first Grammy nomination.[59]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Grammis | Pop Album of the Year | Won | [60] |
| American Music Awards | Breakthrough Album of the Year | Won | [61] |
Commercial performance
Midnight Sun debuted at number one in Sweden, Larsson's home country.[62] Across Europe, the album debuted at number 10 in Norway,[63] number 18 in Germany,[64] and number 33 in Denmark.[65] It also debuted at number 36 in the United Kingdom[66] and number 49 in Spain.[67] The album debuted at number 31 on the ARIA Albums chart in Australia.[68] In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 22 on the Official New Zealand Albums Chart.[69] In the United States, the album debuted at number 119 on the Billboard 200, eventually peaking at number 36 following the Girls Trip reissue, earning Larsson her second top forty album in the country following So Good (2017).[70]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Midnight Sun" |
| 3:09 | |
| 2. | "Blue Moon" |
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| 3:02 |
| 3. | "Pretty Ugly" |
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| 2:38 |
| 4. | "Girl's Girl" |
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| 2:58 |
| 5. | "Crush" |
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| 2:57 |
| 6. | "Eurosummer" |
|
| 2:52 |
| 7. | "Hot & Sexy" |
|
| 3:09 |
| 8. | "The Ambition" |
|
| 3:34 |
| 9. | "Saturn's Return" |
|
| 3:47 |
| 10. | "Puss Puss" |
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| 3:48 |
| Total length: | 31:58 | |||
Notes
Credits and personnel
Credits were adapted from the liner notes[71] and Tidal.[72]
Recording locations
- Muzo Studios (1, 3, 4)
- Just for the Record (1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
- Geejam Studios (2)
Personnel
- Zara Larsson – lead vocals (all tracks), background vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 7–10)
- Tom Norris – mixing
- Kaelen Russel – engineering
- Ezekiel Lewis – A&R
- Kalli Clark-Stemberg – A&R
- Randy Merrill – mastering (1, 3–5, 7, 9, 10)
- Idania Valencia – mastering (2, 6, 8)
- Helena Gao – background vocals (2, 7)
- Zhone – drums, keyboards, programming (5–7, 9)
- MNEK – background vocals (7), executive producer
- Margo XS – background vocals (7)
- Tiffany Pollard – background vocals (7)
- Harry Daniels – background vocals (8)
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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