Critic Jonni: Zara Larsson

Zara Larsson is the person who sung with MNEK on that song called "Never Forget You". She is a big hit in Sweden, and to no surprise, I have become a fan of her music, thanks to this song, which is so catchy. She released this in June 2015, in Sweden, but the song got released this week on iTunes here in the UK, as well as other music download sites such as Amazon, HMV and 7digital, regardless to what iTunes release date suggests. Zara Larsson does her thing in front of a green screen, allowing the viewers to see her personality and relaxing performance.

Zara Larsson is only 18, and has already had number one singles around the world, we officially have a new star! Perfect voice with a perfect style and image, this girl is going to go far. Sweden is really pulling out the stops, winning Eurovision with worthy songs, hitting charts globally with their singers, they are seriously a country we have got to keep our eyes on, because they are making stars. Lush Life was written by Emanuel Fredrik Abrahamsson, Christoph Bauss, Iman Hullén, Markus Reza Sepehrmanesh, Linnea Anna Soedal and Fridolin Walcher. It has charted globally, hitting number one in Sweden, as well as the top 10 in Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Finland, Slovakia, Australia and the Czech Republic. This is a massive hit, and I hope will climb the UK charts, because it deserves to, but the music channels won't promote it that much as this video isn't as great as the song. Fingers crossed this climbs, but I doubt it will. I will be buying the song myself after I've posted this review.

Directed by Måns Nyman, the video fails to keep us engaged, there's no choreography and there is a lot of visual, yet not as creative as it could have been.

The reason why this video doesn't fall flat, totally, is because of Zara Larsson. She really does love this song, and it really shows. She performs to us, to the best of her ability, because she knows that this is all they've got for the video. She dances as if there were choreography made for her, enough to look like she made it up, but she pulls it off effortlessly, and it totally works, you go girl!

I hate the visuals behind her at times, as well as the black and white colourisation. We do not need it, it just ruins the music video, although, at times, it is paired with the song lyrics.

The most engaging part is the start, when she pulls her necklace off and flings it behind her. It signifies the end of a relationship, she's finally over it, and she now has a new crush. A potential start to a narrative that never comes.

Overall, it's a perfect song, definitely a worldwide hit, it just needs more radio play here in the UK, it worked for Shawn Mendes with "Stitches". As for the video, this is where Shawn Mendes' "Stitches" does well as the music channels are loving the video, this one isn't one people would go out of their way to watch over and over again. This doesn't quite fall flat, but the low-budget has totally made this awful, and the money spent wasn't well-spent at all, in my opinion, although Zara Larsson does her best to shine throughout.

Buy on iTunes

Again Justin Bieber's still at number one, with "Sorry", which currently doesn't have a music video, and so Chart Mondays is open to any of the top 10. I have very little choice now that I've reviewed almost all the music videos in the top 10 singles chart. This one is currently at number seven, and I can totally see why it charted so high. MNEK is back, looking cool and calm as usual in a brilliant performance piece which showcases Zara Larsson perfectly, it's accompanied with a perfect narrative which definitely reminds me of The Gruffalo, sweet, innocent and isolated. A perfect peaceful endearing story line.

MNEK, real name Uzo Emenike, has been tackling the charts for a while, he is mostly known for his feature on Gorgon City's "Ready For Your Love", which got to number four in the UK. This single peaked at number five, which is still considered good. It is a collaboration with Zara Larsson, who is from Sweden and has had many hits over there. This is her first single to chart here in the UK, and my guess is that it won't be her last. Sweden is really coming a long way when it comes to music, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more Swedish artists appeared in our charts sometime soon. The song is written by Zara Larsson, MNEK and Astronomyy.

The music video was directed by Richard Paris Wilson. The narrative definitely reminds me of The Gruffalo story by Julia Donaldson. A young girl meets a creature she wants to spend time with, it is believed the creature is imaginary, and as she gets older she dreams and imagines being with him till the end of time. She never forgets him as she gets older and she continues to spend time with him as she continues to grow.

The performance side is on point. Zara Larsson definitely outshines MNEK. She is a new artist, and she is a vision when she sings. MNEK, however, manages to portray the song perfectly. Both would definitely be good to see live.

Overall, an amazing song sung perfectly by these two artists. The music video is a little on the weird side, but it's sweet, endearing and definitely relates to the song.