Album Review: MØ – Plæygirl
2 min read
Danish singer-songwriter MØ has possibly one of the most recognisable voices on the planet. Her big break came in 2015 when she featured on Major Lazer and DJ Snakes mega-hit Lean On, but prior to this she had already been singed to Sony Music and released her debut album No Mythologies to Follow. The wide acclaim plus major label backing has seen her songs spread far and wide, and her collaborators grow and vary. She’s returned this year with new album Plæygirl.
The album begins with a disjointed and autotuned vocal motif that repeats throughout Meat on a Stick, MØ singing passionately as the noise levels build. Who Said follows, jolting the album into motion. Plucky synths and a solid beat carry the vocals along, suiting the lyrical content of surprise attraction. Knife continues the momentum but in a more club-orientated vibe. The singalong post-chorus is a nice touch, adding to the tunes accessibility. There’s a seamless transition into Without You, a more down tempo song with trap high-hats and a hypnotic lead synth. Joanna (Interlude) mirrors the vocal led direction of the first song, but sees MØ singing in Danish with light vocoder on her voice, an effect that gives the whole one-minute a dream-like quality.
SWEET with Biig Piig hits listeners with a gritty bass line and strong backbeat, MØ’s vocals swooping in and taking centre stage with an abrasive melody. Biig Piig’s initial verse comes as a surprising calm moment in the track, keeping the lyrics about drinking and clubbing alive. The title track begins with real instrument noise, leading the listener into a false sense of security but setting up the lethargic song well. Keep Møving and Lose Yourself bring the beat back, while Vildchild keeps us the speed but includes birdsong and an 80s-esc arppegiator. Heartbreak has a low-energy drum and bass aesthetic, while the closing track Wake Me Up builds from clicks and a single synth into a loud and powerful pop conclusion.
Plæygirl is a solid continuation of MØ’s catalogue of dance-adjacent pop. There’s enough personality seeping into each track to keep the quick runtime from slipping into album amnesia, and MØ’s choice to limit the amount of collaborators allows the beauty and power of her voice to shine through clearly. It won’t convert non-believers, but it will certainly keep fans satisfied.
Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.
