Dagny: Ultraviolet (EP)
Details
Genre: PopPros:
Dagny's introductory EP is polished and confident; shining with bubbly pop-rockCons:
Opening track "Fight Sleep" is surprisingly the weakest track of the bunchNorwegian pop singer’s big breakout arrives in the package of smart EP
Norwegian pop singer’s big breakout arrives in the package of smart EP
The EP for Norwegian breakout artist Dagny — born Dagny Norvoll Sandvik — is a sharp presentation of what it would sound if Betty Who was to flirt even more with more accessible pop and rock. At the core, the five-track collection showcases synth pop dance workouts done on the level of rock-pop, wholly absent from computer howls and EDM mixers. And the results are actually pretty riveting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t kick off with its best ringer. “Fight Sleep” possesses a highly repetitive elementary chorus you either will like or hate. Thankfully, the disc saves the best for later. The title track, immediately following the opener, is much better, pairing The Go-Go’s fun with Sia drama, as she sings of the danger of falling for a magnetic beauty: “Ultraviolet, can’t turn away/Your eyes on fire, can’t look away.” There’s also the sweet bleeds of synths inside Blondie disco-rock on “Too Young,” another exceptional track. And then you also have the BØRNS-featured “Fool’s Gold,” a song constructed in such a way that it could easily be a Disclosure track in disguise. It’s not quite moody or club-centric due to its lack of EDM buzz and its pure commitment to real instruments and a rhythm section, but it’s one heck of a good song. Honestly, “Fight Sleep” is the weaker of the tracks. You’ll get over it and will be quite surprised on how succulent this EP is designed.
