Hey everyone,
In today's album review I am finally getting round to Zara Larsson's 2020 album called 'Poster Girl'. Just from reading the title, it could be to do with being on a poster, potentially being attractive and looking at some of the song lyrics, there are some hints that there will be some songs about love and also heartbreak - also there's a few tracks I have already listened to and review music videos for, so it's good to see some familiar tracks before I start! Well, here's my detailed review of the album and I hope you enjoy reading!
1 - 'Love Me Land'
The first track on the album is clearly about love and potentially the realisation that Zara thought she would never be able to be in love again, but has clearly found somebody to change that. The opening lyrics include 'never thought I'd love again, here I am again, lost in love me land' which is a phrase that could explain that due to previous bad breakups or relationships that she has been in, she didn't think she would be able to find somebody who she truly has a connection with. During some of the other lyrics, she explains some of the positives around this individual, questioning 'how dare you have lips like that, how dare you kiss like that', almost explaining that she temptations to fall back in love again are very high, as somebody is finally achieving the expectations she was looking for. I really like the variety of speed in this song with a slower verse and a faster chorus, with interesting ooh's and la's. She also explains how she is 'lost in your vocabulary' which could identify that she's not even listening to this individual, but is just so engaged with listening to their voice.
2 - 'Talk About Love' (ft Young Thug)
In this song, Zara explains that she simply doesn't want to talk about love but would rather 'keep us right here in the moment' and adds 'why you gotta go and get lost in the emotion', almost giving signs that she doesn't want to put a label on this relationship, but also doesn't want to give off the wrong vibes. A lot of people in similar situations to this, just want to have somebody they can go to for affection, but don't necessarily want to get married or have children, it's just the idea of having companionship with somebody that you trust and like. The opening lyrics of the song explain that 'I'm down to go aywhere, but I don't wanna go there', hinting again at the fact that physically she's happy to travel anywhere, visit any place, but 'going there' referring to talking about love. This song also has a feature of Young Thug with a short rap verse including the words 'I don't got time to be lying like a rug', which could mean that he doesnt want to just sit there and having somebody walking all over him. There are other references to putting hands in pocket, which could relate to money, and I believe he compares diamonds to sirens, but not sure if I heard those lyrics wrong! The final lyrics from Zara include 'love always goes south in the worst ways' which explains her reason of not wanting to talk or engage in love, but to remain in the moment.
3 - 'Need Someone'
The next track on the album is all about feeling happy and not needing somebody. The introduction of the song starts with a short piano instrumental without any singing, and some of the first lyrics explain that 'If I saw you sat on the street, I'd make sure I pull over' which explain that Zara has her driving license (a bit like Olivia Rodrigo who also seems to have hers too)...and it shows that whoever this lucky individual is, she wants to engage with them in conversations. She explains 'I'm happy I don't need someone, I'm happy I don't need your love, I'm happy but I want you' which is sort of a contradictory sentence explaining that she's happy by herself and she doesn't need love, but she would much rather want the individual themselves. I feel like a lot of people have similar situations, where instead of wanting to be in love with somebody, they just want to spend time with people that they have good bonds with, and I think that's what she's trying to say in this song. She explains that she's usually inside during the summer and winter nights, but explains that this individual looks good in the sun and she can 'never look away'. Other lyrics include her speaking about driving through the sunset and playing loud music on a Saturday, which shows that she is an independant individual who doesn't need to rely on anybody, and still able to have a good time! In the final lyrics of the song she sings the words 'runaway' which could be a hint for this individual to run away with her? Hopefully she'll have enough petrol after all those Saturday drives!
4 - 'Right Here'
The next on the album was more of a song to try and explain that she just wants attention from her lover who she might currently be in a bit of a difficult situation with. Some of her opening lyrics include the fact that she could be 'naked at dinner, touching the waiter...the baddest behaviour' and 'you wouldn't even care' which are examples of things that she knows the lover woukdn't be happy with, but the fact that he doesn't even notice shows how unappreciative he is being of Zara. She questions 'why do I even try?' and this suggests that she feels like she's putting in a lot more effort than he is. Some of her other lyrics indlude 'why can't you look at me, keeping your eyes on the screen like you don't care', which is something a lot of couples are probably going through now, especially with being in lockdown...social media and electronic devices are the only things keeping us all sane, so trying to get a boyfriend off Xbox, Zoom call with his mates or inside after he's been on a walk with a mate all day, is quite difficult. Zara also explains that he doesn't even recognise the perfume that she is wearing, that he's bought for her back in June...so not too long ago, and it's almost as if she has tried to get his attention in so many ways, but she doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. Towards the end of the song, she sings the lyrics 'remember when you couldn't keep your hands off my body...I really wanna feel that you want me' which suggests that they did have a romantic phase during their relationship, but something has changed the chemistry between them. The bridge and final part of the song helpd bring the lyrics to a close, as there were some automated background noises and slowed down lyrics which added a little bit of space between the final verse and the repetition of the chorus!
5 - 'WOW'
I think this is one of my favourite songs on Zara's new album because it's creative, unique and the chorus is incredibly well put together! Her opening lyrics speak about not being in a gown, but instead just a t shirt and sitting on the couch, and throughout the song she just expresses that she just wants this mysterious lover to saw 'Wow' and think she looks amazing, with phrases such as 'make your jaw drop' and 'make you say oh my god'. I think she also says that the he makes her feel wanted and pretty as he just wants her for how she is. She sings the lyrics 'if I can't have you, then I don't want no-one' which is almost a sign that she's fallen in love with this indivdual, and if it's not going to work out between the two of the, she's rather just stay single...and potentially make him feel like he's missing out! I love the blending of the vocals in the chorus of the song, bringing a variety of sentences and noises together, and it made me think...Wow!
6 - 'Poster Girl'
This next track starts with a short intro of electronic sounds that you might hear in a nightclub, and it's an interesting way to start a song, but I will now forever remember that this is how the song begins! Some of the opening lyrics include 'it was all going fine until you changed my mind' which could mean that this new lover of her's has made all the right moves, but pushed her over the edge with doing something a little odd/crazy, and if he would have thought about his latest actions, they would have been fine. Some of the other lyrics she sings include the fact that 'sleeping without you is getting harder' and that she can 'feel the sparks as I light up your room', which transitions into a set of higher vocals. The emotion in both of these lines shows that she is clearly in love with somebody, as the use of the word 'sparks' suggests that more than just a bit of kissing and hugging is likely to be happening behind closed doors. During the chorus of the song, the lyrics include 'holy smokes, I'm not the poster girl of feelings, but with you I can't stop' which could relate to the billboards and posters that can be seen around the high street, and that she doesn't get emotional when she sees images of him (as he could be a model on billboards around the world), but she can't seem to hold back her feelings when she's with this guy.
7 - 'I Need Love'
Up next on the album seems to be another one of those reflective songs. At the beginning of the song there seems to be a choir of Zara's for a few seconds, before she sings the lyrics 'I can't be the only one holding on...I need the one to stay with me' which could be a simple way of saying that she's been in and out of love, and that she's 'holding on' to her last bit of hope that she will evntually find somebody, and at 23 years old, wants to try and settle down with somebody so that when her music career comes to a close, she can enjoy the rest of her private life with somebody that she loves. She continues to sing about pairs of things that go together, including a hunter that needs their blood, and the poison and the pill, so she's obviously wanting to find somebody who she can pair herself up with. One of the interesting lines she sings is 'can we go right back to the start, if I let down my guard' which could explain that throughout their relationship, she wasn't able to open up as much as she did...whether that was because she is in the public eye, or she didn't know how much she was able to trust her boyfriend at the time. During the chorus there are a lot of 'woah' and 'ooh's which are sung in a unique melody, but it works really well and sounds really nice! She also sings the line 'I tell myself that I don't but I do', when discussing her want to find the perfect man, and that particular line is also sang in such a lovely way that I'm able to sing along to it everytime! Towards the end of the song, she explains that 'I've been waiting for you in the dark', which could be a sign that she still thinks about this individual, and although their relationship might be over, she still thinks that there is a possibility to try and restore their initial love that they had for eachother.
8 - 'Look What You've Done'
Song number 8 on the album seems to be a celebratory song for a relationship going horribly wrong. At the beginning of the song, the opening lyrics are 'and now they're playing our favourite song, we used to dance to...on nights like these' - which could probably be referring to nights where they would be apart, but feel together by listening to the same music. She also sings 'you hurt me for the last time' which could explain why she is so happy that it's over, because she doesn't feel like she's going to be hurt, whether that be emotionally or mentally. She adds 'I'm not crying anymore, I'm stronger than I was before' which are those simple phrases to explain her confidence as a woman but also as an individual. During the chorus of the song she explains that now that the guy has gone, she's number 1, explaining that she's now putting herself first. She adds 'thank you for what I've become...look what you've done' which also suggest that his negative or bad actions have made her into a stronger version of her former self. When she sings these lyrics, it's almost like she sings them on a scale from high to low, which makes me feel I'm walking up a set of steps, but in a song. I think this is also one of my favourite songs on the album, as it's turning a negative topic in a song, to a celebratory and positive message to others in the world who are going through difficult relationships or breakups, and that putting yourself first is more important than any relationship or anything else in life.
9 - 'Ruin My Life'
I heard this song a long time before Zara released this album, and I really like this song! The beginning of the song starts with a soft intro of a guitar instrumental and the opening lyrics which include 'I miss you, pushing me close to the edge, I wish I knew what I had when I left' which makes me feel that this seems to be a song about making a mistake, or regretting a decision that she's made about love. These initial lyrics are potentially a reflection of looking back to what she had, especially if she's now been continiously searching for love and she's unable to find somebody who has brought her better memories, than the guy she ditched. The chorus of the song includes the lyrics such as 'ruin my life' and 'f*ck up my nights' which could be phrases that are aimed at herself because she knows she's made a massive wrong decision, or she's asking this ex lover to ruin her life, because of how much she just wants to be in his company. I think that particular lyric is difficult to understand, but I think it's either anger towards herself, or asking for trouble from the one she loved, just so she can see him again! She goes on to sing lyrics including 'I know you're missing me too, like you should' which also can explain that what they had between them was real, and she understands her true worth when it comes to love and relationships. I haven't heard this song for a while so it was nice looking over and listening to the lyrics again!
10 - 'Stick With You'
The next single on the album is called 'Stick With You' and it's another one of those typical love songs where no matter what people say, Zara knows that she wants to stay with this individual. The song begins with a variety of 'hmmms' and the opening lyrics which include that phrases that people tell her to 'let go, never look back' and that this guy is the 'wrong type' but she doesn't to believe any of those things as she knows the type of person she's looking for. She continues and said that apparently he's on the 'wrong side of all the wrong tracks', so this could mean that he and Zara are going different directions in their life, but she adds the lyrics 'but when they say that, I know I made the right move' as if to say, it doesn't matter what the haters say, that's going to make me want to be in a relationship with this person even more. During the chorus she speaks about her relationship breaking up, just to make up, explaining that 'we got the real thing' and that 'we call it real love'. She says that the haters aren't going to stop them from being in their relationship, as they are on the inside, the haters on the outside, and they're in a bubble of only 'good vibes'. I feel like this is a really good theme to cover within the song, because there are probably lots of individuals who have their partners judged by family members, or friends or on social media (if they're famous), but at the end of the day; love is love, and nobody can tell you who you can and can't love. Some of Zara's final lyrics include 'I don't really care what they say' and 'nobody knows us the way that we do' which also confirm that they are only focusing on themselves and their own feelings, and people can judge all they want, but it's not going to make them break apart from eachother.
11 - 'FFF'
The penultimate song on the album is called 'FFF' or 'Falling For a Friend' as we later find out during the song. She explains at the beginning of the song that they're 'mutual friends' but asks whether it's mutual if she could kiss this person's lips. Straightaway, this gives me the idea that this person could potentially be more than just a friend, or at least Zara wants this person to be more than a friend. She adds that she's 'used to diving in' and that she could 'lose you as a consequences of my feelings', stating that she's usually the first person to go in for a kiss or to make the first move, and if she gets too excited or makes a mistake, then she's going to lose this friend...or based on situations she's been in before, she is trying to be a little more cautious to avoid making the same mistakes. In the chorus she sings the words 'falling for a friend', which again seems to be a common theme in relationships, as some people will swipe on dating apps and get a match that way and others start a friendship which can lead into something a bit more. The lyrics for this part of the song include 'baby don't pretend, that you don't feel it too, I know you...do' which show that Zara knows she's not the only person in this friendship that potentially would want more, or to at least experiment and see if something more would happen. The thing I say in these types of situations, is that it's best to have a conversation about it first, and if being in love or a relationship doesn't work, you should make that promise with your friend that you can go back to being friends. The lyrics 'will we be lovers or cut the ties forever' is proof of what I just said, but also I think it's all or nothing for Zara; either lovers or they'll cut the contact because it could be too awkward, and also, the fact they have mutual friends, it could be the next piece of gossip to be shared around and they wouldn't want that burden amongst the rest of their friends!
12 - 'What Happens Here'
The final song on the album is called 'What Happens Here' which seems to be talking about a potential one night stand with somebody that she's met, and 'what happens here, stays here...Imma do it because it's what I want'. These lyrics explain that whatever they get upto, it's best for them to keep it quiet. She goes on to sing 'come and get it if you want it, but I might not be here in the morning' which could suggest that she's more than happy to have some fun, but depending on whether she wants anything further, she might have just got the quick fun she wanted and wanting to get back to ordinary life. One of the lines I decided to write down was 'I'm not just on stage when I'm performing' which could explain that she's putting a show on, even when she's not singing! There are a lot of other sexual references and phrases including 'talk less and do business' and the fact that she wants to 'kiss it, touch it, feel it'...which could mean absolutely anything. I really like the overall tune and melody for this particular song, and minus the over explicit hints at sex, I think this is a great tune!
So, I think I've been on an emotional rollercoaster listening to this album! I've been happy, sad, celebratory, 'in the mood', 'out of the mood' and able to listen to a variety of different songs about love, and seeing how people have their own unique experiences with love, relationships and even heartbreak! Overall, I loved the album but I think my favourite tracks were 'WOW', 'Ruin My Life', 'FFF' and 'What Happens Here'!
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