Sofia Karlberg – ‘Hold My Love’ [EP] [Album Review]

Swedish pop sensation Sofia Karlberg recently released her second EP, Hold My Love, following on the heels of her 2019 debut EP, Spotless Mind. During the interim between EPs, Karlberg dropped a sequence of successful singles.

Now based in Berlin, Karlberg began her career on YouTube, uploading covers of songs by Hozier, Sam Smith, The Weeknd, and Post Malone. Her version of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” went viral and skyrocketed to the top of the charts in the UK, as well as on Spotify and iTunes.

She then changed direction and began to release original songs, a move that, in hindsight, was pure genius. For since then, Karlberg’s success has not only ballooned but has allowed her to demonstrate her innate creativity and the allure of her sensual voice.

Comprising five tracks, Hold My Love starts with “Do It Again,” a low-slung, shimmering electro-pop tune rife with syncopated percussion and glowing synths. Karlberg’s sensuous vocals, whispery yet potent, give the lyrics sumptuous flavours of craving.

Must-listen-to tracks include “Just For You” because of its luscious R&B-merged-with-pop savours, as well as the oozing tones of the male vocalist. While the title track, a collaboration with Discrete and TUSO, delivers dance-infused rhythmic pulses topped by Karlberg’s diaphanous tones, imbuing the lyrics with wistful erotic textures.

“Caught in the golden hour / Above the highest tower / Tell me to not look down / So can you hold / Hold my love / Just hold my love.”

Sofia Karlberg by Daniela Spiroska

“Bad Habit,” arguably the best track on the EP, blends retro dance elements into a cashmere melody riding a delectable, insistent rhythm. Vaguely reminiscent of Kylie Minogue, only more voluptuous, “Bad Habit” throbs with sultry, smouldering energy as Karlberg’s gossamer tones relay an ozone mistiness of residual élan, simultaneously amatory and fervent.

As appealing is the music on Hold My Love, it’s the lissome, wickedly sexy voice of Sofia Karlberg that pulls listeners into her sonic web.

Hold My Love Track Listing:

1. Do It Again
2. Just For You
3. Hold My Love
4. Bad Habit
5. Hate My Guts

Run Time: 15:58
Release Date: August 12, 2022
Record Label: Sofia Karlberg