MØ – No Mythologies to Follow

Seattle – Since it was a Spice Girls CD Karen Marie Ørsted received at the age of 10 that would encourage her to pursue music, it is only apropos that she would cover a song by the UK girl group. With her immensely catchy rendition of “Say You’ll Be There” making the rounds last month, along with collaborations with Avicii and Diplo, the Danish singer, better known as MØ, became someone to watch. And with Tuesday’s release of her debut album, No Mythologies to Follow, the 25-year-old MØ has solidified her standing as an up-and-coming pop artist.

Produced by Ronni Vindahl of the Copenhagan-based team No Wav (whose other member is Robin Hannibal of Rhye), No Mythologies to Follow is filled with modern electro-pop sounds and bittersweet lyrics about growing up and reflects the strong chemistry between Vindahl’s sonic talents and MØ’s versatile vocals.

The LP opens with “Fire Rides,” beginning with lush harmonies before swelling into massive vocals filled with melodious shouts and wails. It’s a great track that sets the pace for the rest of the album, showing MØ’s knack for creating cohesion in her work.

MØ, which is pronounced something like “muh” and means “maiden” or “virgin” in Danish, fittingly has a song titled “Maiden.” “I am the maiden for you nevermore,” she announces in sexy vocals backed by hammering synth, declaring her point-of-no-return into young adulthood.

Nostalgia finds its way onto No Mythologies to Follow with “Never Wanna Know,” a 60’s girl group-tinged song whose chiming bells, drum beat, and “Ooo’s” are a callback to the likes of The Shangri-Las or The Ronettes, but with a modern spin similar to Lana Del Rey. The slower tempo and spoken word bridge allows for some breathing room before diving back into heavy electro beats of “Red in the Grey” and superb synth horns on “Pilgrim.”

Vindahl’s mastery of sound production is evident on “Don’t Wanna Dance,” with a full range of horns, piano, electric guitar, bells, and claps, turning this track into one of the most danceable on the album. The lyrics are more fun – “I don’t wanna dance with nobody but you” – and reflect a lighter side of being young. And yet followed up with “Why does it hurt so bad?/Why do you always make me cry?” on “Waste of Time,” MØ is able to capture the tumultuous emotions of growing up.

Slowing down the pace again on “Dust Is Gone,” MØ showcases her beautiful and versatile vocals, and continues crooning into “XXX 88,” her collaboration with Diplo, before launching into the chant-y “Walk This Way.” At this point, it might be safe to liken MØ to Santigold, Lorde, and Grimes – she indeed has a similar style to all – but that would be doing a disservice to her personality that shines through on each song and simply soars on the penultimate, breezy 80’s house jam “Slow Love.”

Closing the album is “Glass,” an anthemic ode to the hardships of getting older (“Oh, why do everyone have to grow old?/Everyone wonder where the good times go”), while its and shouts and cascading melody seems to be saying “Bring it on.” No Mythologies to Follow is a universal theme to the set of 20-somethings who are trying to let go of their youth, sung by a rising pop star with a remarkable persona.

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Caitlin Peterkin

Caitlin Peterkin is a Seattle transplant fresh from the Midwest. She owes her passion for music to her parents, who filled the house with artists from The Beatles to The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel to Carly Simon, and Jackson Browne to Michael Jackson. One of her favorite memories includes being presented with her mom’s original vinyl copy of Sgt. Pepper when she got her first record player.

With degrees in journalism and music, Caitlin’s written for Paste Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and MajoringinMusic.com. She loves cheese, laughing at GIFs of corgis, road trip sing-alongs, and connecting with people over good beer and good music.