Loreen has released the first single from her upcoming album “Heal”. Intimacy and intensity became a winning concept in Baku. In working on the new album, she has struggled to maintain the feeling of authenticity all the way. Loreen, or Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui as she is actually called, will release her first album on October 24. Until then, fans will have to put up with the single “Crying out your name”, where the sound from “Euphoria” is not far away.

Many participants in the Eurovision song contest, “Idol” or some other competition are usually lightning fast to get an album on the market after a competition victory, all to maximize their income. But Loreen has been waiting until now while the winning single has sold over a million copies.

Why?

– I would rather wait and come out with something that is closer to myself. I want what I do to be genuine, I do not want to blow people money. It’s about respect and responsibility, says Loreen.

How would you describe the new single with its lyrics about the girl who shouts her ex-boyfriend’s name?

– The song depicts a story I can relate to. Except then to take to the bottle, I would never do that.

Does “Crying out your name” with features of “Euphoria” represent the rest of the album?

– I answer like this: It’s not a club record! I like to mix different musical worlds so that it does not become too much of the same thing. For me, it does not matter if it is a house or something else, I do not know the codes, so to speak. I go for everything that touches me – it can be a beat, for example.

Loreen is the executive producer on the album. This means that she has had the last word in everything from song order and sound to instrumentation and envelope lyrics. She is quite secretive about the songwriters on the record – apart from herself – but it is clear that this is an investment as much internationally as in Sweden. Among the producer names are stars such as Red One and the underground collective Tortuga consisting of four producers.

– It gives a more personal touch than the already established producers and frequently uses the songwriters. If you work with those who are on their way up, it becomes more of a giving and taking, and they are more open to new soundscapes and other ways of working.

Is it your interest in yoga and meditation that made you name the album “Heal”?

– Well, the songs depict destructive relationships, separation, false security, stagnation. So “Heal” is a contradiction. The title song itself is about a crossroads, where you can choose to move on or stay in the dark where you are, says Loreen and in the same breath she declares that she is “not a feminist, but a humanist” – she is for both male and female – but that the imbalance between men and women requires “balancing up”.

Do you feel pressure to follow up on the mega-success “Euphoria”?

– No, I do not want to compromise with what I do. Fame is a tool that can be used to communicate with other people. The victory itself is not that interesting, I enjoy being able to prove to myself that the real thing works, says Loreen.

Do you have money in the bank now and can do what you want in the future?

– Money must never be too important to me. There have been periods in my life when I have not had any money. But of course I have some money in the bank, says Loreen who donated SEK 75,000 of her salary to vulnerable groups when she was in Belarus in July.

How has the time been after the sweetness of victory in the Eurovision song contest?

– Hectic, more than once I have wished that the day had several hours. In addition to doing gigs that were already booked in Sweden plus new ones abroad, I have traveled around and done promotions all over the world. In addition, I have been in the studio to complete the album.

How do you cope with the increased pace?

– There have been times when I was going crazy. I have learned to have a lot of discipline. Every minute becomes precious. If I work overtime, the entire time schedule is shifted, and I can not afford that.

Do you have any time for yourself?

– Yes, I started the chaos myself, the carousel is filled with an incredible number of impressions. But since then I am used to having a lot of time for myself. So when I’m not working, I’m completely myself. It’s the best I know.

• Source: https://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/musik/jag-ville-gora-nagot-akta/
• Translation: via Google Translate, the translation may not be completely accurate