Lopez Blogs

Sweden has always been somewhat of a draw for discerning pop pickers. It has always (and continues to) exhibited an unabashed love for the pop genre. It's deeply imbedded in their culture and it's the go-to place for international singers who want a downright catchy and brilliant tune. I mean, just imagine if Max Martin hadn't created Baby One More Time for Britney - her career might have been all sorts of different. It's certain that at the moment, my obsession for boy-pop singers in Sweden has never been higher - Eric Saade is one of the most engaging pop sensations of the year, Danny and Ola continue to put out entirely pleasing material, Mans Zelmerlow churns out music that is as perfect as he is, Magnus Carlsson is always good for a camp pop romp and for something a bit more serious, there is always Erik Hassle and Motoboy to indulge in. But this week sees the release of Darin's fifth long player "LoveKiller" and I'm here to give you some of my thoughts on this...

What came to pass...

It's actually a little bit amazing that young Darin is in fact only 23 years old, yet has had a pop career that would put many of his elders to shame. For those of you who don't know, Darin came 2nd in Swedish Idol in 2004 and has had great success since. He has had 3 number one albums in Swedish (plus another that made top 10), worked with RedOne way before everyone was working with RedOne, written songs for almost amazing US boyband V Factory, had his tracks covered by Leona Lewis (Homeless) and had 11 top 10 singles. So basically he could have had a nice greatest hits album by now. Here is what I would have put together as a greatest hits collection for him (all his singles plus my fave ever song of his - B What U Wanna B) as a nice intro to his works...

Money For Nothing/Why Does It Rain?/Step Up/Whos That Girl?/Walk The Distance/Move/B What u Wanna B/Perfect/Everything But The Girl/Desire/Insanity/Breathing Your Love/See U At The Club/What If/Roadtrip/Pop That (ft David Jassey)...

The foundations of Lovekiller...

I've been eagerly anticipating what would ultimately become Darin's fifth album, Lovekiller, for a while now. I was, however, initially a bit worried about how it would all fit together. I thought that Darin was releasing disparate songs for specific events (the Swedish Idol finale; Melodifestivalen; Swedish Royal Wedding) that might not gel together as a cohesive set of tunes. Having listened to the album several times this morning, I'm delighted that the "known" tunes not only blend seamlessly into the album, but continue to sparkle amongst the many delightful new tracks. Here is an update on the singles so far to be released from Lovekiller (see above video for delightful acoustic versions of the first two singles)...

• Viva La Vida ~ Darin has always been very loyal to his Idol roots and performed this song amidst the finalists of the show late last year. A brilliantly festive, pulsating remake of the Coldplay classic - everything about this should not have worked, yet it even surpassed the Pet Shop Boys electro-medley from their Christmas EP in terms of amazosity. In the context of the album, it serves as a pleasing change of pace from the balladry and is still utterly delightful from start to finish. (3 weeks at MFP #1)
• You're Out of My Life ~ his ballad for melodifestivalen was certainly outshadowed by a career making performance from young Mr Saade, but this sorrowful tune soars as an dreamy showcase for Darin's solid vocal style. The pretty melody, heavenly chorus and powerful performance all combine to make an accomplished and polished power ballad. Dreamy to the extreme(y)... (Peaked for 3 weeks at MFP #7)
• Can't Stop Love ~ Definitely the most romantic song on the album (if not the most romantic song of the year), Darin performed this cooing yet gorgeous number for the royal wedding of Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel in June. It balances a delicate piano riff with a crashing chorus; add to that a truly impassioned vocal from Darin and it's still a total winner - and a lovely uplifting (lyrically) tune that helps bring the album to a close. (peaked for 3 weeks at MFP #3)
• Lovekiller ~ There is just something about Darin's current single that screams "huge international smash". While Can't Stop Love is very good indeed (and I can see it being a big hit for someone like Joe McElderry in the UK), this is a track that is the true definition of EPIC. There is not one thing about the current fizzypop number one that doesn't delight and titillate. The strings. The offkilter lyrics. The enormous chorus. The choral backing vocals. Massive, massive, massive. It SO needs a video though...

Lovekiller ~ the rest...


Most pop artists nowadays only release 3-4 singles from their albums (2 if you are The Saturdays :P) so you might think that Darin's Lovekiller was almost a fait au complait in terms of future singles and promotional opportunities. You would be wrong my friend. The album could sustain at least 2 more singles, if not 3 (depending on it's popularity). It's all (love)killer no filler here and this results in a totally enjoyable album. Microphone (is this a new single or just promotional effort for new season of Idol? I'm confused) launches the album and is one of few uptempo moments - but it's a brilliant one. Part cocky attitude remake of Starmaker, part ode to wannabes and wholly amazing as a teaser to the new season of Swedish Idol, this tune reaks of arrogance ("It's time for some fucking recognition"! Oh my. Won't somebody think of the children?!) but is delivered with such charming self belief that it isn't offputting in the slightest. Perhaps it stands out more due to the lack of uptempo tunes, but it certainly is a solid, addictive pop number. The other uptempo moment goes to Ok (Dangerous Game) ~ almost a "i haven't forgotten you" loveletter to fans of Darin's club thumping Flashback album. I can imagine this sitting pretty along side Taio Cruz or Jason DeRulo in the charts - it's piece de resistance is the sensational middle 8 and Darin's vocals seem to be a tribute to Michael Jackson. Tres bon indeed.

Out of the remaining ballads, the exquisite Drowning and lush Only You Can Save Me stand out as potential future singles. The former isn't the Backstreet Boys swoonfest, but rather a gorgeous melody over an insistent percussive beat that crescendoes into a glorious OTT production. Darin excels at this kind of song and somehow his style makes this song far bigger and better than it would be in lesser hands. The latter is another accomplished plea for love - it's like he's taken the Ryan Tedder sound and improved on it, creating a potentially globally massive smash. If this doesn't break out for Darin outside of Sweden, expect Simon Cowell to pilfer it for one of his protegees quick smart. Endless Summer is perhaps the only track that is slightly jarring in terms of how it sounds alongside the rest of the album, but it's pretty enough and always nice to have a grower on an album that you can learn to love over time rather than crush on instantly.

Two acoustic tracks close the (iTunes edition of) the album - It's Alright is said to be one of Darin's favourite tracks he's recorded for this set. Based around Darin's voice, a guitar and some delicious strings it's perhaps the most subtle moment on the album and therefore a nice track to finish off on (especially after the uplifting bombast of Can't Stop Love). Darin's voice shines here and unearths a fragility and delicacy to his vocal style that makes me want to give him a hug. Finally there is an acoustic version of Lovekiller - it's not as entirely amazing as the full version, but it does provide a somewhat alternative version of the tune and I'll take as many versions as I can get at this point.

Overall, an incredible album, a great set of tunes and a wonderful addition to the Darin discography.

Potential singles: Viva la Vida; You're Out Of My Life; Can't Stop Love; Lovekiller; Microphone; Drowning; Only You Can Save Me

For much better reviews, please see Scandipop and Postergirl...