Popstars are paragons of culture while simultaneously acting as symbols for escapism from real world stressors. Yet the careers of many pop stars tend to be short lived and only few can command sustained public attention for more than four years.
While becoming a generation-defining pop star is the goal for many singers, the majority experience relatively fleeting moments in the spotlight.
This was seemingly the case for popstar Zara Larsson. She was a moderate hitmaker who appeared destined to remain a late 2010s pop act. However, the past six months has brought renewed interest to Larsson.
Her music resurfaced on short-form media platforms following Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu’s performance to the song “Stateside” and the recent social media success of the song ‘Midnight Sun’.
Social media has become the new form by which music garners attention from the public, effectively replacing the influence once held by MTV and radio stations. Larsson is no stranger to this phenomenon. She experienced a revival in her career with the 2017 song “Symphony” following music saturation on these platforms.
Many popstars that have been resigned to nostalgia acts, replaying the three or four hits from their prime, may now look at Zara Larsson as a blueprint for reviving their careers. Rather than suffering the same fate, Larsson struck gold with the newfound popularity for “Symphony.”
However, the song alone would not have been enough to spark renewed interest in her artistry or performances. Instead, the explanation for her success is more complex.
During the years when her music was absent from radio rotations, Larsson reshaped her public persona. In order to remain relevant as a pop star, hit singles cannot carry an artist. Instead, the public has to be sold on an image.
Zara Larsson’s image during her former reign lacked clarity and a defining persona. However, the hopecore associations surrounding “Symphony” provided something more valuable than temporary attention; it provided a new persona.
As a result, Larsson repositioned herself with the public and renegotiated where she lies in pop culture. Through strategic collaborations like in “Stateside” and a successful tour, this clean confident rebrand breathed life back into the Zara Larsson brand.
This second chance at public interest created a blueprint for other popstars hoping to prolong the lifespans of their careers as well.
