INTERVIEW: Agnes dishes on her new single EGO, shares the relatable awkwardness of hearing her own music in public, and reflects on the excitement of new album and launching her first tour

The one and the only, our Mother of Spiritual Disco, Swedish superstar Agnes is back with her third single, EGO which has dropped today and stirring up speculation about her highly anticipated yet still mysteriously untitled upcoming album....or is it untitled? You’ll have to keep reading to uncover the truth!

Teaming up with a stellar lineup of collaborators-Vincent Pontare & Salem al Fakir (known for their work with Madonna and Avicii), Hannah Wilson (Tove Lo, The Chainsmokers), Kerstin Ljungström and Frans Bryngel (The Weeknd, Sebastian Ingrosso)-Agnes delivers EGO soaked in rich, retro '80s synths that spotlight her signature vocal intensity and flair.

"EGO is inspired by conversations about self-discovery and Eckhart Tolle’s lyrics about the ego. I wanted to capture the feeling that it is only when we dare to let go of control that life can surprise us."

Building on the momentum of BALENCIAGA COVERED EYES and MILK, EGO sees Agnes once again pushing sonic boundaries. This shimmering disco-synth anthem explores the art of surrender-letting go of control and embracing the unpredictability of life. It follows in the glittering footsteps of fan favourites like Fingers Crossed, 24 Hours and Here Comes The Night from her critically acclaimed album Magic Still Exists-a record that earned praise from pop royalty including Sam Smith, Elton John, and RuPaul. No big deal!

So, let’s get into it-here’s my chat with Agnes about life, music, and everything in between.

For our readers meeting you for the first time, how would you describe yourself and your music?

I’d describe myself as a typical Pisces but with a lot of fire and my music as spiritual disco house.

The lyrics on your new single EGO explore self-confidence and identity, how much of that comes from your own personal journey?

My songs and lyrics are always a side effect of what I’m going through in life and where my thoughts are, or what I need in the moment. With this new album I felt a strong need to go a bit more raw and unpolished.

Your visuals often mix glamour with a touch of surrealism. How does that aesthetic connect to the music on this new project?

I love combining beauty with a bit of madness. I get bored when things are too pretty or too polished, it has to have a twist I think that runs through everything I do, from the music I make to the styling, choreography, and more.

17-year-old Agnes Carlsson from Vänersborg has just won Swedish Idol in 2005, what do you think she'd think of BALENCIAGA COVERED EYES or MILK or Magic Still Exists?

I think she would’ve been impressed!

Release Me became a dance-floor classic, when was the last time you heard it out in the wild and can you not help but sing along when you hear your own music?

I was at a party recently with a lot of people, and one of the guys asked the DJ to play Release Me.

I don’t know, I always feel a bit awkward dancing to my own songs around other people. I definitely prefer performing them on stage!

You’ve worked with some incredible industry powerhouses on your upcoming album-what’s one quirky studio habit you have that always makes them laugh?

Hmm, I seem to have a tendency to make up my own words without realising it, or to make up my own quotes, or get them wrong, but it kind of makes sense. So many moments that’s been happening in the studio and it’s been some awkward and hilarious moment.

As a millennial, (I was born in 1988 too by the way ha), you’ve lived through the rise of CDs, MP3s and streaming-which era of music listening do you secretly miss most? I remember refusing to stream at first because I loved owning a CD.

Haha, I hear you! But to be honest, I love this era. I remember when I was younger and untechnical and never understood how to get more songs onto my MP3-player, and I had the same boring CDs because it was too damn far to get to the CD shop. But we just installed a vinyl player in our house, and I love it! The BEST way to listen to music. Heaven.

When your upcoming album drops, will you be celebrating with a quiet night in or a big party or something totally unexpected?

It’s actually a surprise but I can tell you, it won’t be a quiet night....👀

Does the upcoming album have a name yet? Oooh and any collabs?!

It has a name! We will let you know soooon.

So many LGBTQ+ fans connect deeply with your music, how does it feel to be embraced by them in such a special way?

It means everything.

I would be nothing without my LGBTQ+ fans.

Eurovision is such a huge part of Sweden’s music culture (my partner and I always watch Melodifestivalen from the UK and yet to go to a live Melodifestivalen show), do you watch Melodifestivalen or Eurovision and have you ever thought about stepping onto that stage yourself?

Lovely to hear! I don’t watch it, I think for me, it’s just hard to see or be in a situation where you compete with music. It doesn’t really resonate with me. But aside from that, I believe that Melodifestivalen and Eurovision are beautiful events and they bring so many people together. Now more than ever, we really, REALLY need that.

Do you plan on touring for the album and if so, will we get any UK dates?

Right now we’re actually planning my first ever tour! I’ll announce all the details as know as soon as it’s all set.

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📸 Fredrik Hvass

EGO, BALENCIAGA COVERED EYES and MILK are all on all streaming platforms now. Share your thoughts in the comments section below and start or join the convo!🗣️👇🏻

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