Pop star Zara Larsson is choosing artistic authenticity over chasing streaming trends. The 27-year-old Swedish singer, known for hits like “Lush Life”, says she’s no longer concerned with conforming to the expectations of algorithms or instant chart success.
Speaking to the Daily Star’s Wired column, Larsson reflected on her musical journey and evolving mindset. “I still wanna be really successful and I want my songs to do well,” she said. “But now I’m more like, ‘I love my job. I just love making music.’”
Rather than crafting tracks for maximum impact within the first few seconds—an approach often favoured by platforms like Spotify—Larsson insists that she’s focused on creating music with depth and staying power.
“All my songs don’t have to instantly hit you in your face,” she said. “It’s not like it has to be a hit three seconds in because when you do streaming, it’s like, ‘algorithms.’ No—I just wanna make really good music.”
The “Pretty Ugly” singer believes that placing joy and sincerity at the heart of her creative process has allowed her to care less about outside opinions. “When you’re doing stuff you feel good about, the less you care about other people’s opinions,” she said.
Despite her shift in perspective, Larsson admits she still values being part of her listeners’ lives. “To be a part of someone’s life and any moment of big celebrations, it’s like—wow, I was part of that.”
Outside the studio, Larsson has been dating dancer Lamin Holmén since 2020. She revealed that thoughtful gestures mean more to her than grand displays. “I’m an acts of service type of girl,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be big or expensive—it’s the time and effort that matters most.”
