A decade after ‘Lean On’, Major Lazer’s mammoth global hit in which MØ provided lead vocals, and which at one point was the most played song in the history of Spotify, the Danish singer has released her fourth album. ‘Plægirl’ is her intended return to origins, within a career that has never stopped offering quality electronic pop, exploring different levels of commercial success. This time, the palette is darker, and singles like ‘Keep Moving’ must already be counted among the best in their catalogue.
MØ will present ‘Plægirl’ in Spain, on November 18 at La 2 de Apolo in Barcelona, and on November 19 at the Sala Copernico in Madrid. Tickets, at Primavera Tours. Before these dates arrive, Karen Marie Ørsted Andersen answers a short questionnaire to JENESAISPOP.
What does the word “Plæygirl” mean to you in the context of the album?
It means letting yourself be free, have fun and be yourself no matter what other people think.
Tell me about the process of creating this album, did you start from a concept that you already had in mind, or was the process more intuitive?
From the beginning of the process of creating this album, I promised myself that I wanted to follow my intuition and have fun. And Nick Sylvester, the album’s executive producer, was the perfect collaborator to achieve it. I wanted the music and songs to feel free, to show vulnerability and strength at the same time, and for the productions to be electronic with a punk rock touch.
You have wanted to make music that felt “free” and more “you.” Did your previous albums not seem as free or authentic to you?
It’s not that my previous albums are any less “me.” But with this album I had the need to really delve into the essence of who I am, where I come from and what I like. Instead of exploring who I “could be,” I wanted to explore exactly who I am now, in this day and age. It may sound abstract, but I think for years I was exploring the spectrum of who I was and who I could be as an artist, but on this album I wanted everything to feel very close to the source.
What is your favorite song on the album and why?
I love all my “babies”, but I highlight ‘Keep Møving’, because it was so fun to make and I love playing it live. And also ‘Who Said’, because I wrote the chorus 10 years ago, I always loved it, and I think the production that Nick did for it is spectacular.
These new songs have a very club energy, which is interesting because you’ve mentioned that you’re not much of a party person. What inspired you to go in that direction?
Haha, yes. Well, I think the club energy definitely comes from Nick Sylvester. That said, I’ve always seen my music within the electronic space, and having sung on some great club songs over the years, I feel like my voice fits into a space close to club. It’s like I’m the rebellious punk daughter of club music: I don’t quite fit in, but somehow I fit in perfectly at the same time.
The sound is dark, but the melodies are uplifting. How were you feeling while writing this album? What are the main emotions that run through the songs?
That’s my favorite combination! Dark sound but great melodies! I felt every possible emotion within the great spectrum of feelings. I am an emotional pendulum, without a doubt! But I think the main feelings at the time – as reflected in the album title, along with the cover art photographed by Casper Sejersen – were a mix of feeling free and accepting of myself, while dealing with a life and a world that is constantly changing, and not always for the better.
What is the song on the album that took the longest to finish?
I think it was ‘Heartbreak’. It was one of those songs where we had several different versions and directions, and it was very difficult to decide exactly what energy was right for that type of song.
Up to six singles were released before the album came out, that is, half of the album. What do you think of this strategy? It seems that now releasing singles is the era, and that the album completes it. Of course, the tour extends the era once the record comes out. How do you see it?
I feel like we live in a time where you can do whatever you want. There is no strict formula anymore, and I love that. But I think you’re right: the trend now is to release several singles and then close the era with the album, and then extend it with the tour. Yes, I like this strategy, but again, I think everyone can do it however they want, as long as they do it right.
What motivated you to cover ‘Wake Me Up’ and make an interpretation so different from the original?
I have a song with Avicii, ‘Dear Boy’, included on his album ‘True’, which contains ‘Wake Me Up’. I remember hearing that song over and over again on the radio during my first tour of the United States in 2014. And since this album, ‘Plæygirl’, is about finding yourself again and returning to the origin and the joy of things, I thought it made sense to cover it. Also, although the original song is very upbeat, I think the main melody has a lot of melancholy, and that’s why I wanted to make a softer and more melodic version.
How do you feel about the success of ‘Lean On’, 10 years later?
I feel great! It was fucking crazy!
You are going to play in Spain in November. What do you want your fans to know before they go?
I’ve missed them so much and I’m so excited to finally be back! The last time I did my own tour in Spain, I think it was in 2015 or something like that.
