While I was not surprised to be reading about Max Martin (being an avid music fan, I am aware of who he is), it was really great to read about how much he contributed to the music industry. Oftentimes, the behind-the-scenes people get forgotten in the industry, so it was nice to see him getting the recognition he deserves. The articles essentially describe the way that Swedes have influenced the pop music industry not only in the US, but on a global level. The second article briefly discusses the style of Swedish pop music. There is a quote from Tove Lo speaking about Swedish pop, saying it has “clear but simple lyrics, is a lot about the melody, and also having a little bit of melancholy or a darker sense to it, to not make it too sugary or too bubblegum.”

One of the most interesting things to me has always been the fact that despite the language barrier, songwriters/producers have always been able to come together and create music in English. I think that this is what allows for Swedish songwriters to create songs that are simple and allow you to just sing along and not really think too much about the meaning. I actually realized a few years back that I listen to a lot of Swedish artists. Zara Larsson and Tove Lo are probably two of my top played artists on Spotify. What I noticed while listening to some of their music is that often times the lyrics hold a deeper meaning than the music would let on. One song that comes to mind is “Don’t Worry About Me” by Zara Larsson. This song is on my workout playlist but if you listen to the lyrics of the song, she’s basically talking about a breakup.

Being invested in the music industry, I started to be aware of the impact of Swedish songwriters and producers on American pop a while back. Max Martin has written for some of the biggest (and some of my favorite) artists. I think when listening to the songs that were listed, the main thing to notice is that these songs sound like they can be written for anyone. There is a generic feel to them where they “sound the same” or give off the same vibe. There is a simplicity to the songs but at the same time, it’s pretty complex.