MØ - Forever Neverland

MØ - Forever Neverland

I struggled to conjure an apt metaphor to describe the subject of this review. I toyed with the idea of ‘pop chameleon’ or something in that regards but I ultimately gave up. Much like her music, MØ is difficult to box into any conventional genre. MØ, the moniker of Danish artist Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen, went from relative obscurity to one of the most collaborated artists in the world, appearing alongside the likes of Charlie XCX and Justin Bieber in a number of globe-trotting hits. Unafraid of pushing and prodding, the musical dane lives in a state of constant movement and colour, something never more true than in her newest album Forever Neverland, which sees the singer capitalise on her unique brand of individualism (not rugged, but rather revolutionary).

Most noticeable throughout Forever... is the retro DIY attitude that defines much of MØ’s work, an anomaly in the modern musical landscape. Particularly in the realm of pop. Yet, MØ has brought her “do it yourself and do it right” ethos to her musical dreamland, seemingly content to ride her own wave, making the music that she wants to make. A mission statement defined by the lyrics “If I’m gonna lose my mind, I’m gonna do it in style.” Truthfully, if there is one thing MØ has in spades, it’s style. Her curious, shoulder swaying mix of oriental/afro inspired electronic beats, playfully restrained vocals and indie pop riffs culminate in one of the strangest and most satisfying listens of 2018. For example, the opening verse of Blur sounds like it would fit on a 21 pilots album, while the breathless mix of electronica and pop on Red Wine could be a Marbella dance floor filler. Each song exists within its own bubble, fragile in a transparent, beautiful manner and blissfully honest. MØ has long developed a reputation for such artistic endeavours, so much so that the ease at which she produces her unique sound can cause her to become underrated. Forever… manages to avoid this pitfall. There is no element of pretension, only an absolution that drives both the music and the message. MØ wants you, NEEDS you, to have a good time. The liberating beats and airy vibe of songs such as Sun In Our Eyes typifies this, a tune that is dependent on your surrender to it. This dependency may be too much for some, but I found it utterly transfixing.

What's more, Andersen is a believable as they come. In the social media era, honesty is as rare and precious as gold. With her petite frame and botanic fashion, Andersen does not seem the atypical arsonist suspect. Yet, when she sings “every single thing that you do makes me wanna… burn this fucking house down”, you would be a brave man to suggest that she do otherwise. This balls-to-the-walls earnestness is omnipresent throughout Forever Neverland. From the triumphant parade of Way Down, the vulnerable introspection of Mercy and the tropical lust of Beautiful Wreck, you can feel the bones and fingerprints of Andersen in every bar. When she sings, you can imagine her pulling back from the microphone, soaked in sweat, osmosing effort. That is the crucial ingredient that sets Forever… apart from its contemporaries, a cocktail of natural highs, genuine intentions and unabashed enthusiasm. Forever Neverland is the album we deserve from Andersen and she delivered.


 MØ is here for us, and if you match the energy then you’re in for a thriller. 

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