ALICIA PEMBROKE
Copy Editor
When it was announced that Zara Larsson would be the university’s spring concert artist this year, my mind went right back to when “Never Forget You” was on the radio in 2015. I can still almost picture it — sitting in my mom’s backseat, the wind whipping my hair, the chorus blasting through the car. Back then, I had no idea who was behind the voice. Now, she’s impossible to forget.
Between 2016 and 2018, Larsson dominated the charts. Hits like “Lush Life,” “Ain’t My Fault” and “Symphony” were on the radio, in your playlists and all over Musical.ly, the original short-form video platform that evolved into TikTok. Despite this success, the Swedish singer hadn’t quite established her presence in the American pop music scene.
That changed in the summer of 2024, when a viral meme created an unexpected opportunity.
A TikTok dolphin meme alongside “Symphony,” paired with ironic captions, suddenly pushed her back into the spotlight. Instead of ignoring it as many artists might, Larsson leaned into the memeification. It wasn’t just a meme anymore — it became part of her brand.
And just like that, people weren’t only discovering “Symphony” — they were rediscovering the new Zara Larsson.
From there, everything became brighter, louder and way more intentional. Her performances leaned into the Y2K-inspired, Lisa Frank-esque, beachy aesthetic — the glitter, color and playful confidence that’s impossible not to get hyped for.
In late 2025, Larsson was opening for Tate McRae on the “Miss Possessive Tour,” giving her the ability to display her evolving stage presence. This is also where she introduced a fan-favorite moment during “Lush Life,” turning it into a moment of audience participation, where she selects a lucky audience member to join her on stage.
With the choreography popularized by a fan’s viral TikTok, Larsson and the audience member share the stage to perform the final chorus together. In a final touch, Larsson spray paints a t-shirt onstage as a personal memento.
Even though I may not be sharing the stage with Larsson, I can’t help but dance along with her like I’m on stage too, with 15,000 people and an icon watching me.
Then came her summer single “Midnight Sun” in June 2025, followed by the album of the same name in September. She fully embraced her Malibu Barbie, with shimmering ocean tones, floral-inspired accessories and over-the-top styling. And honestly, like many, I was obsessed.
Another unmistakable aspect of her rebrand is her fantastical makeup, done by makeup artist Sophia Sinot. The ethereal, hyper-feminine glamour blends bold colors, rhinestones and modern aesthetics. This aesthetic has become just as central to the “Midnight Sun” era as the music itself.
But beyond the visuals, the music has reached another level. With the release of “Midnight Sun,” Larsson builds on the momentum of her previous hits while leaning into her new era.
My favorite tracks are “Pretty Ugly,” “Eurosummer” and “Hot & Sexy.” Whether I’m walking across campus or running late to class, “Midnight Sun” is the kind of album that makes any day feel sun-soaked.
“Pretty Ugly” is the perfect song to turn on when you’re getting ready for a good time. I think the lyrics “Have you ever seen a / pretty girl get ugly like this?” could awaken me from a coma. It’s like I have no choice but to get hype when it starts. “Eurosummer” is the song I go to when I want to romanticize my life. Suddenly, the streets of Newark, Delaware, feel like the beaches of Aruba when that song is playing.
It feels almost full-circle to go from hearing “Never Forget You” in my mom’s backseat to seeing Larsson step into a new, sparkling, self-made era. As I enter a new era myself, there’s something special about an artist who has somehow been a part of both.
