Fond Of Doing Naughty Things

Frida Hyvönen “Scandinavian Blonde” – It seems fair to say that this song is a celebration of blonde Scandinavian women, or more specifically, the cultural archetype of the Scandinavian Blonde, and their place in the world’s imagination. However, despite its cheery, deliberately ABBA-esque sound, the lyrics are critical, if not particularly judgmental. In the first verse, Hyvönen describes a broader iconic vision of the Scandinavian Blonde, and in the second, she zeroes in on specifics, such as her “melodic,” “childish,” and “harsh” accent, and her use of “experimental” language. In the final verse, she’s ambivalent — her appreciation of the archetype is apparent, and she clearly understands her appeal, but there’s a sense that she’s somewhat alienated and removed from that experience, and envies the self-assurance that seems to go along with her effortless desirability. (Click here to pre-order it from Secretly Canadian.)