Review: ‘So Good’ is quite the opposite

Zara Larsson’s mediocre sophomore album unoriginal, forgettable

Isaac Wert

Last spring, Swedish pop-star Zara Larsson’s song “Never Forget You,” the second single off her sophomore album, “So Good,” shot up the United States charts and instantly caught my attention. Now a year later, Larsson’s forgettable second album fails to outshine its decent singles.

“So Good” consists of 15 tracks, each with different producers and writers but all sonically similar, channeling the dated tropical sound popular over the past few years. The album is supported by five singles which, besides “Never Forget You,” hardly had a presence in the United States. Overall, Larsson’s solid, Rihanna-like vocals carry most of the album, while forgettable choruses and trite lyrics overshadow most of the album’s quality moments.

Padded by forgettable album tracks, “So Good” does have a few highlights. On “Lush Life,” Larsson sings over a groovy beat and throbbing bassline about summer flings and enjoying the warm weather. “Never Forget You,” Larsson’s most successful song in the U.S., is an undeniable highlight, showcasing Larsson’s and featured artist MNEK’s solid vocal chops over an infectious beat.

“Don’t Let Me Be Yours,” co-written by Ed Sheeran, who also provides backup vocals, is also a standout, with plucky guitar strings and and a slick drop. “Symphony,” a Clean Bandit collaboration, the closing-track and one of best songs on the album, incorporates Clean Bandit’s signature electronic sound with Larsson’s impeccable vocals. Additional decent tracks include “Only You” and “Funeral.”

The album’s titular track, “So Good,” is OK, but suffers from poor lyrics and a forgettable feature by rapper Ty Dolla Sign. The song lacks originality, instantly reminiscent of Ariana Grande’s 2013 hit “The Way,” among other familiar tracks.

Lacking originality isn’t merely an issue for the album’s title track, but for the bulk of the songs. Relying too heavily on trendy tropical production, many of the songs on the album lack a strong melody as their foundation, resulting in an album that’s easy to listen to, but easy to forget.

Ultimately, “So Good” isn’t worth a complete listen, but for those interested in checking out a few tracks, I recommend its highlights: “Lush Life,” “Never Forget You,” “Don’t Let Me Be Yours” and “Symphony.” “So Good” is currently available on iTunes for purchase and on Spotify for streaming.

“So Good”: 2/5