Zara Larsson Midnight Sun
Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun lands as a sun-soaked, stadium-minded collection that leans into youthful hedonism and maximalist electronic pop while showing streaks of personal growth. Critics agree the record's strengths are its immediate, sing-along moments: the title cut “Midnight Sun” and the brazen “Pretty Ugly” emerge repeatedly as the best songs on Midnight Sun, pairing glittering hooks with club-ready production that feels designed for both dancefloors and summer radio.
Across five professional reviews the album earned an 84/100 consensus score, with reviewers consistently praising Larsson's confident vocal presence and the record's nostalgic dance influences. Reviewers singled out “Midnight Sun” for its delirious, hypnotic chorus, and highlighted “Pretty Ugly” for its gang-vocal bravado; other frequently mentioned standouts include “Crush”, “Hot & Sexy” and “Blue Moon”. Critics note a deliberate focus throughout the collection: maximalist electronic pop and dance-R&B fusion sit alongside quieter cuts such as “Saturn's Return” and “The Ambition” that inject emotional weight and coming-of-age reflection.
While some reviews flag occasional formulaic moments, the dominant narrative frames Midnight Sun as a confident, ambitious step forward in Larsson's Scandi-pop identity, balancing party-girl bravado with hints of self-discovery. For readers wondering "is Midnight Sun good" the critical consensus suggests yes: across five professional reviews critics praise the record's best tracks and its appetite for big, euphoric pop moments, making it a noteworthy entry in Larsson's catalog and worth listening for its standout singles and stadium-ready hooks.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Midnight Sun
5 mentions
"Its title track alone is gutsy and boundless."— DIY Magazine
Pretty Ugly
5 mentions
"lead single ‘Pretty Ugly’ tears apart Pussycat Dolls-esque hip hop."— DIY Magazine
Blue Moon
2 mentions
"Like "Midnight Sun," songs like "Blue Moon," "Euro Summer," and "Puss Puss" traffic in the sweetness"— Rolling Stone
Its title track alone is gutsy and boundless.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Midnight Sun
Blue Moon
Pretty Ugly
Girl's Girl
Crush
Eurosummer
Hot & Sexy
The Ambition
Saturn's Return
Puss Puss
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun is a compact, euphoric set where the best songs - notably “Midnight Sun” and “Pretty Ugly” - do the heavy lifting, pairing huge hooks with kinetic production. The record thrives on Larsson's Rihanna-like vocal draw and club-ready arrangements, so the best tracks on Midnight Sun are those that marry her voice to hyperpop euphoria and electroclash bite. “Puss Puss” and “Crush” also stake claim as top moments, playful and pulsing in equal measure, giving listeners the best tracks on Midnight Sun for both dancefloor release and attitude. The quieter “Saturn's Return” and “The Ambition” show depth, rounding out why these standout songs lift the album beyond mere party music.
Key Points
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The title track's euphoric hyperpop and the electroclash force of "Pretty Ugly" make them the best songs.
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The album's core strengths are Larsson's commanding vocals, tight dance-pop production, and a balance of party tracks with reflective moments.
Themes
Critic's Take
There is a corrective, almost clarifying energy to Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun, and the best songs prove it. The reviewist homes in on “Pretty Ugly” as the lead example, a feisty, gang-vocal hook designed to lodge in heads, while “Midnight Sun” itself is praised for glittering hooks and a chorus where club beats converge into something euphoric. Tracks like “Crush” and “Eurosummer” are highlighted for fusing modern pop with lean, astute writing, making them among the best tracks on Midnight Sun. The overall tone insists this is Larsson trusting her instincts, short, focused and built to ignite dancefloors and sing-alongs alike.
Key Points
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The best song, “Pretty Ugly”, sticks because of its feisty gang-vocal hook and maximalist production.
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The album's core strength is concise, laser-focused Scandi-pop production that prioritizes irresistible hooks and dancefloor energy.
Critic's Take
Zara Larsson leans into sun-drenched dance-pop on Midnight Sun, and the best songs - particularly “Midnight Sun” and “The Ambition” - are pure, high-energy payoffs. The title track is described as deliriously hypnotic, a perfect kickoff that captures 24-hour daylight euphoria. Later cuts like “The Ambition” and “Saturn's Return” give the record its sharper edge, turning brash pop into messy, honest reflection. Even when formula creeps in, Larsson's ambition and bright production keep the album glowing like a Swedish summer.
Key Points
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The title track is best for its hypnotic trance chorus and high-energy vocal runs.
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The album’s core strengths are sun-soaked production, catchy dance-pop hooks, and moments of candid ambition.
Themes
Critic's Take
In a gleefully maximalist register the review crowns Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun for its best tracks, notably “Midnight Sun” and “Pretty Ugly”, which showcase the record's gutsy, boundless electronic-pop ambition. The reviewer leans into the album's sun-drenched exuberance, praising “Midnight Sun” as emblematic of the forward-thinking, lush alive-ness and celebrating “Pretty Ugly” for tearing apart Pussycat Dolls-esque hip hop with raw cheerleader-y aggression. There is also warm notice of “Eurosummer” and “Hot & Sexy” as party-ready highlights that do precisely what their titles promise. Overall the voice is admiring and granular, framing the best songs as proof that Larsson and MNEK have forged a colourful, electronic-pop future.
Key Points
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The title track is best for embodying the album's maximalist, forward-thinking electronic-pop ambition.
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The album's core strengths are its sun-drenched exuberance, Scandi-pop roots, and MNEK's nostalgic yet forward production.
Themes
Critic's Take
Zara Larsson sounds liberated on Midnight Sun, and the best songs - notably “Midnight Sun” and “Blue Moon” - are gleeful, sticky pop anthems that stay lodged in your head. The reviewer's voice finds her shaking off expectations and embracing a smirking personality, with “Pretty Ugly” bringing confident chaos and “Hot & Sexy” delivering ravey, nostalgic fun. Vulnerable moments like “Saturn's Return” add emotional weight, while closing cut “Puss Puss” is the perfect kiss-off finale. Overall the strongest tracks are those that balance polished radio hooks with a newly playful, fearless honesty.
Key Points
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The title track 'Midnight Sun' is the best song because it is called a deliciously catchy, decadent pop anthem and embodies the album's joyful tone.
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The album's core strengths are polished, radio-friendly hooks paired with a newfound playful personality and occasional vulnerable moments.