Imaginations (Molly Nilsson album)

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

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

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. 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. Mandel, Leah (6 December 2017). "Talking to Molly Nilsson made me feel better about everything". The Fader. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. Bingler, Hugo (20 July 2017). "Turbulent times, imaginative responses: Molly Nilsson". Exberliner. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  5. Stocker, James (19 July 2017). "Record Review: Molly Nilsson - Imaginations". Indie30. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  6. 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. 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. 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. 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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