It is hard to believe that we have had such long waits between new albums from Loreen. EP releases, teases, label changes, and another Eurovision win have made for quite a journey since she released her debut album back in 2012. New album WILDFIRE follows 2018’s Ride and calls her back to the synth driven, club ready pop sound that first won her over with audiences around the world.
Opener Where Do We Go From Here is a slightly strange choice. It is a slow piano led track that never quite builds into anything memorable. In My Head from her first album was a brilliant opener that started gently before growing into a real thumper but this feels more subdued and less purposeful.
Sia penned Feels Like Heaven is a standout. It is high energy, perfectly suited to Loreen’s voice, and showcases her vocal power with confidence. Other single Is It Love counters this nicely. It is softer in delivery but still allows for those small vocal belts that fans have come to expect and enjoy.
The middle stretch of the album is where things become far more interesting and delivers the strongest run of songs. Melt dives into a gritty club sound and the production here is excellent. This style suits her completely. The title track Wildfire is brooding and atmospheric, fitting her like a glove without ever feeling heavy or drawn out. Coming Close is another production highlight, full of glitchy richness before it bursts into the undeniable thumper Set Me Free, a track that feels destined to soundtrack a Pride party. This impressive run concludes with Eurovision juggernaut Tattoo, still as powerful as ever.
The balladry returns on Lose That Light featuring 6LACK. It is pleasant enough and, while it might feel slightly out of place within the wider record, it provides a welcome pause after the intensity of the previous tracks. It gives the listener just enough time to catch their breath before the synths return in the excellent drum and bass influenced Kiss the Sky.
The most forgettable moment arrives with Weapons. The energy is present, but it never quite captivates. Loreen’s unique strength has always been her voice, and here it feels overly distorted, making it harder to connect with. That said, this seems to be a recurring theme across the album, with the mixing occasionally interfering with vocal clarity and making the lyrics harder to grasp.
Production wise, however, the album remains strong throughout. The bass is rich and immersive, so it is best experienced through headphones or while driving. There is never any doubt about Loreen’s vocal ability. She consistently sounds fantastic in everything she releases, and this album is no exception. If anything, WILDFIRE simply leaves you wondering why it takes her so long to bring out more music.
3.5/5
