(this should be more) POPular #8

You know that thing when you hear a song and you can't believe it hasn't been a massive hit? Yeah, that...

So, this week is Eurovision week on 'Pop is Not the Enemy'! I'm jetting off to Vienna on Friday to watch the final live for the first time ever - excited doesn't really cover it!
For our (this should be more) POPular this week we're featuring a single from a former Eurovision winner, her winning entry was one of the most popular entries in recent memories chart-wise and was an absolute banger! I'm talking of Eurovision royalty Loreen and her fantastic single 'Paper Light (Higher)'!

Following on from her winning song 'Euphoria' Loreen released the album 'Heal' which blended the more chart-friendly dancepop of her Eurovision entry with more alternative,laid-back sounds both of which worked really well and showcased her unusual, captivating vocals. High points of the album included the follow-up single 'Crying Out Your Name' and a new remixed version of her other Melodifestivalen track 'My Heart is Refusing Me'. 

With the release of 'Paper Light (Higher)' Loreen continues to push herself sonically and play with the accessibility of pop music. This is much less immediate than her previous singles and is lyrically and vocally much more challenging.

"Come under my skin,

Rush through my veins,

I need your light.

I've been chased,

To a stormy place,

Shooting up to the sky."

A stuttering piano riff coupled with Loreen's faultless vocal, those high notes in the chorus are insane, makes for a beautiful combination. Taking influences from 90's house 'Paper Light (Higher)' may not grab you by the throat the way the pop perfection of 'Euphoria' did but it reveals it's depths and touches over time, showing new layers and shades you may have previously missed. In short, it's a total tune.

 

What a stonker of a pop tune! Also, check out 'Paper Light (Revisited)', an alternate version that is darker and moodier than the single version, it has more in common with some of the album tracks from 'Heal' and makes us very excited for the new album!

You can follow Loreen on social media:

twitter - @LOREEN_TALHAOUI

facebook - Loreen

instagram - @loreenofficial