Cheesy dance pop has always been amongst my favorite styles of music, and Agnes Carlsson’s third album, Dance! Love! Pop!, is everything that a cheesy pop music lover like myself could ever hope for. It is filled with dance tracks, upbeat ballads, and uplifting “I can do this!” tracks that are sure to please any pop lover. Everything about this record is true, unfiltered pop, so it may be to strong for your average lover of pop music; but not for me. From the first moment I heard the blaring disco violins of the MASSIVE first track and dance anthem, Release Me, I knew that Agnes was the real deal.
She rose to prominence by winning Swedish Idol, and she is just another in what seems like an endless stream of amazing pop artists coming from that tiny country. This being her third album, she departed with her record label, and stated that she wanted to do something more fun, and more poppy… the result is an album that is almost over the top with pop greatness. There are so many fun tracks on this album, and even the lower points of the record aren’t half bad. This is one of those albums that really grew on me; see, the first track of the album stands so far and above everything else, that it was hard to get past it. However, after many, many listens, I have definitely come to realize that there are several amazing songs on the record, all of which employ that perfect pop formula; catchy rhythms, upbeat lyrics, and killer vocals.
This is definitely one of the best pop-dance records that came completely out of left field this year; I am sure that very few of you will know of Agnes here in the states. That being said, she exemplifies everything that I love about pop music; not only is it like a sweet, sweet candy for your ears, but you can dance and smile to this decadent treat. This album is exactly what pop should be; fun, entertaining, and very well produced. I have been amazed at how much pop greatness continues to pour out of Sweden, and with Agnes’ third album, I am beginning to realize that there is no chance of that slowing down.
Sparkle Factor: 
Stand Outs: Release Me [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_117_agnescarlsson-releaseme.mp3]
Sometimes I Forget, Don’t Pull Your Love Out, Open Up Your Eyes.
4 comments for “the 31 best of 2008 – 22: Agnes Carlsson – Dance! Love! Pop!”