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=  Nothing Can Compare (EP album)  =

Background
This work was released as an EP on October 27, 2019 by Universal Music. Swedish pop star Agnes, who took Europe by storm back in 2009 when her singles ‘Release Me’ and ‘On And On’ became hits, made a proper comeback earlier this year. After appearing on posthumous Avicii track ‘Tough Love’, she dropped her very own double single ‘Limelight’ and ‘I Trance’. She now puts both tracks together with new single ‘Nothing Can Compare’, instrumental banger ‘Not Dangerous’ and a couple of interludes on the Nothing Can Compare EP.

With ‘Limelight’, Agnes stayed true to her dance-pop and disco sound of ten years ago, but at the same time pushed it into more experimental territory with a stunning production she created with Vargas & Lagola, who worked on every song on the EP. ‘I Trance’ saw her go down the hypnotic trance road with restrained vocals and an adventurous production with deep beats.

After wrapping up a world tour at the start of 2015, Agnes took a year and half off to reset, traveling around the US, Mexico, Europe, and Northern Thailand. She claims “I wanted to develop, try new things meet new people, explore, and a lot was about liberty: both physically and mentally." Agnes broke her silence earlier in 2019 on the posthumous Avicii single “Tough Love”, but it’s her unapologetic and vivacious “Nothing Can Compare” which explores the exciting unknown while still being inherently-Agnes.

Music
Featuring production by fellow UMPG writers Vargas & Lagola, and lyrics co-written by Isak Alverus, “Nothing Can Compare” is a triumphant return to top form for the Swedish sensation. Footsteps and a lurking, distorted beat in the EP’s Intro escorts the listener down into a dank and sweaty night club, reminiscent of the ones Agnes haunted in LA, San Francisco and Las Vegas during her hiatus. First single “I Trance” is a deep discotheque extravaganza fusing bold 90s house beats and whispered vocals. The “Not Dangerous” and “What Is Wrong” interludes fiercely continues the late-night trance euphoria, taking us deeper into the night with a sea of sweaty club sensations.

The slightly more pop-leaning “Limelight”, released in July alongside “I Trance”, continues the dance experimentation, but lets the light in. Inspired by a glorious mix of time off, travelling, Donna Summer and the freedom of voguing culture, both ‘I Trance’ and ‘Limelight’ are examples of an artist experimenting with their sound without sacrificing their identity. The title track and third single “Nothing Can Compare” is a glittery disco dream with a bucketload of hooks, as Agnes’ booming vocals soar over Studio 54 style string hits and heavenly synth chords.

The track stays true to the dance-disco-pop sound she became successful with; it’s what Agnes has always done best during her fifteen-year career, but without boundaries. “I love to sing and that’s always my outlet for my emotion” Agnes declares in the ‘I Like to Sing’ interlude. Now culminating her care-free perspective on life, ‘Nothing Can Compare’ is a clear sign of an artist spreading their wings. “On the dance floor everyone is equal, and it’s all about the here and now and just being”, Agnes says. This is pop music as it should be: without any rules.

Critical Reception
Reviews were generally mixed. Although catchy, these tunes weren’t exactly tailor made for radio, but new single ‘Nothing Can Compare’ is more accessible on first listen. The absolutely euphoric bop is full of love and echoes some subtle disco influences, but mainly takes inspiration from the pop bangers of the eighties. The production is retro and contemporary at the same time and Agnes delivers some absolutely lush vocals. Those high notes in the chorus are to die for! Needless to say the hooks are there too.