How To Let Go (Standard Vinyl)

ノルウェー出身のフィメールシンガー:シクリッドの2019年のデビュー・アルバム『Sucker Punch』に続くセカンド・アルバム!

Every bit as refreshing and even more insightful than her debut, Norwegian pop star Sigrid delivers another near-flawless effort with her sophomore album, How to Let Go. Coming of age with a platinum LP and a handful of hit singles in the rearview, the growing artist opts for the positive, affirmative route with the songs on How to Let Go, which merges shimmering dance-pop gems and arena-sized midtempo ballads. Just 25 years old at the time of release, Sigrid displays a wisdom and confidence beyond her age, packing an abundance of journal-cover quotables that makes it near impossible not to feel uplifted and motivated to live ones best life. This is not to say that How to Let Go is schmaltzy fluff. Rather, she goes beyond just spinning the negative into a positive, learning from the tougher experiences in life and making the best of it all. On the Sia-meets-Natasha Bedingfield throwback "Risk of Getting Hurt," she declares, "Its just not a thing worth doing/if theres no risk of getting hurt," while the KT Tunstall-esque "It Gets Dark" soars with anthemic guitars as Sigrid proclaims, "It gets dark/so I can see the stars." The strong messages continue throughout. "Bad Life," an earnest duet with Bring Me the Horizons Oli Sykes, pulls listeners out of whatever funk they might be in with the refrain, "Its just a bad day, not a bad life." Meanwhile, she inspires the heartbroken to move on with heads held high on the pulsing "Thank Me Later" ("Let it go/cause when you know you know") and encourages self-confidence on the deep electric groover "Mirror" ("Just fell in love with the person in the mirror"). That latter track is one of a handful of infectious disco-revival moments on par with the sounds of Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, and Kylie Minogue circa 2020, opening up the dancefloor with additional synth-heavy highlights like the shiny, glitter-blasted anthem "Burning Bridges" and the breezy "A Driver Saved My Life," which shimmers atop handclaps and swirling electro-groove. On the contemplative side, Sigrids vocals shine on the moving "Last to Know," the clever soft rock breakup tune "Mistake Like You," and the tender, Coldplay-channeling acoustic standout "Grow." She opts to close the set with the aptly titled "High Note," a stirring declaration of purpose that drops a shiver-inducing key change to maximum effect. Hearing the jump from Sucker Punchs youthful, innocent pop nuggets to this confident and mature statement is an inspiration in itself, simply because its so heartwarming to witness her artistic growth. But taken just at face value, How to Let Go is an album that a more established act would be proud to call their own. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

『Strangers』の世界的ヒットで知られるノルウェー歌姫による約3年ぶりのセカンド・アルバム。共作/プロデュースにデュア・リパなどを手掛けるスライを全面起用。アバやエルトン・ジョンに影響されたというポップス群はシンセが控え目で、ややオーガニックな味わいに。英ロック・バンド、ブリング・ミー・ザ・ホライズンとのコラボなど守備範囲を広げつつも、彼女らしい瑞々しさは堅持。真っ直ぐな視線がキラキラ眩しい。
bounce (C)村上ひさし