Imaginations (Molly Nilsson album)
| Imaginations | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 May 2017 | |||
| Studio | Lighthouse Studios, Berlin | |||
| Genre | Synth-pop | |||
| Length | 44:24 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | Molly Nilsson | |||
| Molly Nilsson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Imaginations | ||||
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Imaginations is the seventh studio album by Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Nilsson, released on 26 May 2017.
Background[edit]
The album was inspired by Nilsson's travels across Europe and Central America.[1] Regarding the album's title, she gave the following anecdote: "I had a very different vision when I started [the album], but life interrupted me and had other plans. It was supposed to be called something else but a dream told me to call it Imaginations."[2]
Production[edit]
Nilsson wrote Imaginations in the first half of 2016.[3] Regarding the album's production, she stated that it was "maybe the one [she] struggled the most with".[4]
Themes[edit]
Imaginations has been noted to be critical of neoliberalism, capitalism and the political landscape of 2017.[5][3][1] For example, the song "Money Never Dreams" has been referred to as an "anti-greed anthem".[6] Nonetheless, the album has been described as having an optimistic outlook.[3][4] Nilsson acknowledged that the album's "tone seems more political", but that it is also "very personal" at the same time.[3]
Release[edit]
Imaginations was released on vinyl, CD, cassette tape, and as a digital download on 26 May 2017.[7] The album was originally set to be released in January 2017, but it was delayed.[5]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [8] |
| Loud and Quiet | 8/10[6] |
| Mondo Sonoro | 8/10[9] |
| Norman Records | [10] |
Imaginations received positive reviews. Ben Beaumont-Thomas, writing for The Guardian, declared it Nilsson's "masterpiece" and "one of the best records of [2017]".[11] Tom Breihan of Stereogum referred to the album as "impressive".[12] Rachel Redfern of Loud and Quiet wrote that Imaginations shows Nilsson "at her melodic best".[6]
Tim Sendra of AllMusic concluded that, with Imaginations, Nilsson "has found the sweet spot between intensely personal music and universally understood pop", while praising the "very evocative and rich [melodies]" and "lush instrumentation".[8] Robin Smith of Norman Records declared the album "[Nilsson's] best ever record of distant pop music" and noted its "expansive and bursting" sound.[10] Jake Folsom, writing for WMPG, lauded the album's production and Nilsson's "witty, honest [and] empowering" lyrics.[13]
The song "Let's Talk About Privileges" was positively highlighted by several writers.[6][14][13][5]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Molly Nilsson.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tender Surrender" | 3:58 |
| 2. | "Let's Talk About Privileges" | 4:03 |
| 3. | "Mona Lisa's Smile" | 3:10 |
| 4. | "Memory Foam" | 3:44 |
| 5. | "American Express" | 4:34 |
| 6. | "Money Never Dreams" | 3:09 |
| 7. | "Not Today, Satan" | 4:23 |
| 8. | "Think Pink" | 3:22 |
| 9. | "Modern World" | 2:46 |
| 10. | "Inner Cities" | 3:58 |
| 11. | "Theory of Life" | 3:43 |
| 12. | "After Life" | 3:33 |
| Total length: | 44:24 | |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Edge, Dominic (23 May 2017). "Molly Nilsson – Imaginations". The Thin Air. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Camargo, Gil (2 March 2017). "Entrevista con Molly Nilsson". Time Out Mexico (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d Mandel, Leah (6 December 2017). "Talking to Molly Nilsson made me feel better about everything". The Fader. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b Bingler, Hugo (20 July 2017). "Turbulent times, imaginative responses: Molly Nilsson". Exberliner. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Stocker, James (19 July 2017). "Record Review: Molly Nilsson - Imaginations". Indie30. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d Redfern, Rachel (24 May 2017). "Molly Nilsson - Imaginations - Album review". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Imaginations Molly Nilsson". Bandcamp. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b Sendra, Tim. "Imaginations Review by Tim Sendra". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Chaparro Terleira, Guillermo (21 June 2017). "Crítica de "Imaginations" (2017) de Molly Nilsson". Mondo Sonoro (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b Smith, Robin (25 May 2017). "Molly Nilsson - Imaginations Reviews". Norman Records. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (5 November 2018). "Molly Nilsson: the synthpop star embracing hope and loneliness". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (11 September 2018). "Molly Nilsson – "Days Of Dust" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b Folsom, Jake (26 May 2017). "Molly Nillson: Imaginations". WMPG. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ Mullin, Kyle (9 November 2017). "'My music and my work are an extension of my life. And I intend to live all of it' – Interview with Molly Nilsson ahead of Nov 11 DDC Gig". The Beijinger. Retrieved 1 October 2023.