7. Tove Styrke, “Number One”
After a 2009 debut album that wasn’t exactly memorable, Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Styrke returned in 2015 with the saucy, sleek-sounding Kiddo, a pleasantly surprising statement of defiance and originality for a pop album. Part Suzi Quatro, part Robyn, part Annie, with a willingness to utilize reggae beats in audacious fashion, Kiddo bursts with life, expertly crafted as only the Swedes can do, loaded with hooks and never for a second short of attitude. The track that clicked the most with me was “Number One”, which might lean a little more to the middle of the road, but what a hook: “Oh my, the world’s on fire and maybe I’m just chasing rhymes / Taking is easy and I don’t care where it leads me baby / Oh my the more I try the closer I get to wasting time.” The effervescence of the song is irresistible. If Tove Lo can break big internationally, then Tove Styrke can pull it off as well. It’s just a matter of getting more people to hear this wonderful, wonderful album, starting with this song. (Spotify) (YouTube)
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