A Promising Forever

Swedish DJ Alesso released his first smash single back in 2012, so it’s hard to believe that Forever is his debut full-length album. The LP is filled with a variety of different collaborators including popular artists such as Ryan Tedder and Tove Lo, and rising stars such as Roy English, Sirena and Noonie Bao. Although he has already generated an impressive fan base due to his hit singles and impressive festival performances, this album will encourage even more eyes to be on Alesso.

Forever begins with the 2-minute intro entitled “Profondo.” This track sets up the next song and sets the tone for the majority of the album. “PAYDAY” is an energetic instrumental track that starts off strong, resorts to a softer sound, then comes right back to life. A pure adrenaline rush is the vibe the song generally gives off, which is one reason why the song is worth mentioning.

The following track,“Heroes (we could be),” keeps up the momentum built by the first two. It’s been a popular song since its release, and it is not hard to tell why. It features vocals courtesy of Tove Lo, who delivers contagious and catchy lyrics naturally. Despite the fact that some of the lyrics were taken from David Bowie’s song of the same title, Tove Lo makes the track completely her own. She sings, “Everyday people do everyday things, but I can’t be one of them.”

An additional standout track on Forever comes from guest vocalist Roy English. “Cool” is a fun track, likeable largely due to the singer behind it. Roy English delivers lyrics in such an upbeat way that he easily wins over listeners.

The trend of memorable vocally-driven singles continues with “Scars.” OneRepublic lead singer/songwriter and past Alesso collaborator Ryan Tedder shines on this single. His vocals are delivered with the utmost confidence and the lyrics are beautifully written. This is an album highlight because of the various unique elements that make up the track. Yes, many EDM tracks have breathtaking vocals and synthesizers, but what some may not have is this undeniable confidence and overall delivery. Alesso also manages to combine an electronic sound with rock music, which is pretty unique.

This release shows that although it’s only his first album, Alesso is already comfortable in his element. He has pushed boundaries by creating his own sound that sets him apart from other popular DJs. This is accomplished through the experimentation with rock. Many DJs also incorporate various genres into their own sound, but the simple yet effective approach Alesso has taken is extremely notable. It will be interesting to see what he will create in the future. Forever is bound to attract new listeners while simultaneously satisfying his current fan base.