‘Sucker Punch’ may be Sigrid’s first album, but the 22-year-old Norwegian has been making waves in the music world for some time. After releasing the EP ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ in 2017, her big voice and fresh ideas have landed her spots at festivals and gigs around the world, and created plenty of hype about her long-awaited debut. Luckily, it seems to have been worth the wait.

Title track Sucker Punch does exactly what it says on the tin, giving the listener a sudden hit in the guts with its sheer pop force. For the uninitiated, the song is an introduction into Sigrid’s sonic world, where slick synth-pop is paired with sharp vocals and an effortlessly cool attitude. In her distinctive style, the catchy opener deals with all the small dramas that come with having a crush and “freaking out” about what’s going to happen next.

The songs on this album are full of wry, frank lyrics about young love and heartbreak, like diary entries set against shimmering beats and lush textures. The highlight is easily Strangers, one of Sigrid’s biggest hits so far, which honestly tackles the reality of relationships compared to those we see in the movies.“We’re falling head over heels for something that ain’t real,” she sings among silky tongue-tripping refrains and toe-tapping beats.

The idea of moving forward after the inevitable break up is also dealt with through infectiously-fun dance songs, drenched in twinkling synths. This includes Don’t Feel Like Crying, where Sigrid admits that “wallowing in it would be such a waste, that isn’t gonna fix it anyway”, and the ’80s-inflected Mine Right Now, in which she croons that she “won’t fall apart” if her heart gets broken.

Although it’s packed with carefree electro-pop bangers, ‘Sucker Punch’ also has its quieter moments in between, full of sensitivity and strength. This moves from the calmly confident and assertive Don’t Kill My Vibe, to the sighing motifs and shining high notes of Level Up, and In Vain, where Sigrid’s voice strains from the emotional pain. It culminates in the quiet drama of closing track Dynamite, with its stripped-back piano and soaring melancholy comfortably contrasting with the rest of the album.

With such sleek, smart, Scandi-pop, there’s obvious comparisons that could be made to Robyn, or even the likes of Lorde and Haim, but Sigrid has managed to deliver a debut that is original and full of personality. ‘Sucker Punch’ is a confidently crafted album that provides an upbeat soundtrack to modern life and love, and is highly likely to be Sigrid’s first big step to stardom.