Imaginations
Studio album by
Molly Nilsson
Released26 May 2017 (2017-05-26)
StudioLighthouse Studios, Berlin
GenreSynth-pop
Length44:24
Label
  • Dark Skies Association
  • Night School
ProducerMolly Nilsson
Molly Nilsson chronology
Zenith
(2015)		 Imaginations
(2017)		 2020
(2018)
Singles from Imaginations
  1. "Think Pink"
    Released: 4 July 2016
  2. "Let's Talk About Privileges"
    Released: 3 October 2016
  3. "Money Never Dreams"
    Released: 9 December 2016
  4. "Not Today, Satan"
    Released: 14 February 2017

Imaginations is the seventh studio album by Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Nilsson, released on 26 May 2017.

Background

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

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

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

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Loud and Quiet8/10[6]
Mondo Sonoro8/10[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

All tracks are written by Molly Nilsson.

Imaginations track listing
No.TitleLength
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

  1. 1 2 Edge, Dominic (23 May 2017). "Molly Nilsson – Imaginations". The Thin Air. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Camargo, Gil (2 March 2017). "Entrevista con Molly Nilsson". Time Out Mexico (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mandel, Leah (6 December 2017). "Talking to Molly Nilsson made me feel better about everything". The Fader. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. 1 2 Bingler, Hugo (20 July 2017). "Turbulent times, imaginative responses: Molly Nilsson". Exberliner. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Stocker, James (19 July 2017). "Record Review: Molly Nilsson - Imaginations". Indie30. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Redfern, Rachel (24 May 2017). "Molly Nilsson - Imaginations - Album review". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Imaginations Molly Nilsson". Bandcamp. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  8. 1 2 Sendra, Tim. "Imaginations Review by Tim Sendra". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  9. ↑ Chaparro Terleira, Guillermo (21 June 2017). "Crítica de "Imaginations" (2017) de Molly Nilsson". Mondo Sonoro (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  10. 1 2 Smith, Robin (25 May 2017). "Molly Nilsson - Imaginations Reviews". Norman Records. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  11. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (5 November 2018). "Molly Nilsson: the synthpop star embracing hope and loneliness". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  12. ↑ Breihan, Tom (11 September 2018). "Molly Nilsson – "Days Of Dust" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  13. 1 2 Folsom, Jake (26 May 2017). "Molly Nillson: Imaginations". WMPG. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  14. ↑ 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.
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