Molly Sandén’s new EP Like No One’s Watching is her first body of work since Unchained dropped in 2012.

Three years on and her artistry has come a long way. Though “Why Am I Crying” feels like a dominant influence on the EP, the depth of production and strength of songs sets them apart here.

Lead single “Freak” is still enormous cinematic electropop at its finest, with Molly’s haunting vocal longing for rescue and wrestling with her inner demons.

The emotional intensity and darkness puts aside “Why Am I Crying” and delivers volumes of emotion intensity that you wouldn’t have expected from Molly Sandén. She sounds wounded and the whispered closed gives shivers.

“Phoenix” as the name implies shows rebirth after the devastation of “Freak”. “I’m ready to explode, like a phoenix, gotta die to come alive,” Molly dares and soars as a result. The chaotic reverberating synths produce a tectonic middle 8 that delivers an electropop earthquake.

“Like No One’s Watching” is a spiritual and uplifting tract, the closest thing to “Why Am I Crying” 2.0 to be found on the 5 track EP. It isn’t Molly Sandén by numbers though. The message is admirably simple; Molly Sandén don’t give a, keep looking at her.

It is a carefree track about love and the anthem quality makes it an instant ear worm. As an ode to love, and we could hint a certain Mr Saucedo, the whole thing is adorable and also unstoppable.

“The way you look at me, baby, your love has taught me to love,” she signs off before the big bridge note and it makes you go gooey inside. The vocal runs also show Sweden has more than one Molly pushing the whistle register.

“California Dreams” is a spiky change in pace from the three ballads, showing off more of an R&B sound from Molly and slamming Hollywood fakery. Besides a different hypnotic tribal beat, it also shadows the themes of “Freak” and perhaps draws from Molly’s own experience of La Vie La La Land. 

And the final fifth track “Satellites”? To die for. Hedonistic Swedish house dance at its finest and set apart from tick-box EDM by the loving lyrics, including “face-to-face, my favourite place,” which helps the track shimmer as at once accessible and deeply personal.

Like No One’s Watching might be a cheeky reference to Molly’s time away from the spotlight but it has clearly been well sent, lending her sound a real power and a set of amazing songs.

Love Molly, love the songs and LOVE the EP altogether <3

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ESCaddict
ESCaddict
8 years ago

Great songs, Angus. Thanks for sharing.

Mario ~ *Why I Am Crying*?
Mario ~ *Why I Am Crying*?
8 years ago

Molly tried to represent Sweden in the Vision of Land of Fire…
All the things that we lost in Fire & then crying over them..

Today i had a fight with my mom {that i hate her} and she was born in the year of 57…The Vision of Baku was the 57th edition..
Most of the times i end up fighting with her because she is hella stubborn {among others heavy flaws of hers..}
Its like im talking to a wall..
She is not worth my crying tears…

Cry only 4 the people that deserve to cry 4..

Mario
Mario
8 years ago

@ Im sorry Angus though…I know that you are big fan of Eric…And your profile cover photo has you posing with Eric…
Please do not take my opinion seriously or get affected with any way..

Its just that we all can not agree about our favorites artists/songs..
We have different opinion in our fans community..

Mario
Mario
8 years ago

Well actually i did not dislike Eric Saade back then in 2011 4 the record.. And i had really enjoyed it that on that video he shared a gay kiss with Danny.. <3 That was hot <3 But now all my sympathy towards him is gone because i i have figured out that he is so egomaniac & full of him self narcisist.. There are gazzilion other hot good looking guys in the music industry…So personally im not gonna cry if he disappears & stop being in the star system anymore.. You might guys be fans of him and i… Read more »

Mario I Am Summer ~ My Summer Vision of Gay Love ~ Summer Lovers
Mario I Am Summer ~ My Summer Vision of Gay Love ~ Summer Lovers
8 years ago

I really liked her Melodifestivalen 2012 song *Why I Am Crying* But i was turned off when i found out that she was in relationship with the despicable prick Eric Saade that YES i hate.. But she dumbed him thankfully in 2012.. After that she became couple with Danny Saucedo.. Well i do not really like him either but at least i have less worse opinion about him than i do with Eric.. And imo Danny with his song amazing *In The Club* deserved more to win over *Popular* by Eric in Melodifestivalen of 2012.. I might did not like… Read more »