Tim: This is the new single for Swedish people from Loreen; internationally she’s just released My Heart Is Refusing Me, but that’s not on YouTube. Fortunately, this is.
Tom: That sounds a lot like Euphoria. That’s not a bad thing, mind.
Tim: Along with Euphoria, that’s three tracks so far, and together they paint Loreen as having a Thing: half-sung, half-whispered vocals over quiet synths for the verses, and then going all out for the chorus. And I like that, kind of, even if it does mean I’ll sometime skip over the first thirty seconds.
Tom: I got into an argument with someone the other night about finishing books: I maintain it’s absolutely fine to give up on a book if you’re not enjoying it, while they said that, once you’ve got a bit into it, you have to carry on to the end – or at least pretend to yourself that you’re going to.
The reason I mention this is: skipping the first 30 seconds of something like ‘Euphoria’ is just wrong. The build-up’s part of the track, and an important part. It’s like skipping into a Pink Floyd album half way through. You just don’t do it.
Tim: Perhaps not, but if I’m getting ready to go out, say, or just want to hear some properly BANGING BEATS, the early bits of the song aren’t right for it. (Though I agree with you about the book thing.)
Anyway, the whole concept does serve to emphasise what a lovely lovely voice she has, really, and that’s a good thing. Will it get boring? Possibly, after a while, and I’m hoping the entire album (October 29th) isn’t like this, but for the time being I’m very happy with what I’m hearing.