Icona Pop quickly took hold of the music scene with their infectious hit 'I Love It', and it was easily one of the most played songs of the summer. You couldn't be in the car for more than twenty minutes without hearing it. The Swedish duo originally released their self-titled debut album last November, and it's literally perfect. Everything that you love about Icona Pop is present on that album. After having gained world-wide exposure, the duo decided to release their international debut album This Is... Icona Pop which consists of only six new tracks, the others having been released this summer or previously released on Icona Pop. I had my hopes very high, and I was unfortunately let down a bit. The first half of the album is fantastic which is to be expected as it's all their previously released material, and it's with the new stuff that the album starts to wane. I was hoping for a more Icona Pop sounding album, but they tried to make it too commercial and I think they lost their way. If you want to listen to true Icona Pop, listen to their older stuff. If I can see people like Katy Perry singing these songs, there's something wrong.

1. I Love It (feat. Charlie XCX) - 10/10

The song that brought Icona Pop to fame; how could they not include this on their debut international album? The song, after all this time, still sounds fresh to me. It's the definition of a pop jam, and you can't really go wrong with it. Nothing else needs to be said.

2. All Night - 9/10

'All Night' was released over the summer, preparing us for what was to come. Having the similar chanting chorus structure as 'I Love It', I like this track because it also has a darker, even dreamier vibe to it. It's one of my favorite Icona Pop tracks. Check out the longer review HERE.

3. We Got the World - 10/10

This is one of the tracks that appeared on Icona Pop's original album, and it happens to be one of my favorites. 'We Got the World' is a hard-hitting dance track that has you up and dancing, as well as singing along. This is where I love seeing Icona Pop because the chorus is absolutely infectious and glorious without replicating 'I Love It'. This is one that shows the brilliance of the Swedish duo.

4. Ready for the Weekend - 10/10

This track is the last one from the original Icona Pop album. The song starts out with a Gregorian choir chanting and then jarringly switches into a full out EDM jam. It has one of the best beats Icona Pop has ever crafted with the wobbling bass, transporting the listener into the middle of a club, very Skins-esque. Like the title says, it gets you ready for a night out which is one you're sure not to forget.

5. Girlfriend - 8/10

'Girlfriend' was the first official single off This Is... Icona Pop, and it was a bit underwhelming to a lot of fans. It didn't have anywhere near the impact 'I Love It' had. I can't remember ever hearing it on the radio. It's very formulaic and relies a lot on what made 'I Love It' such a smash, which isn't a bad thing. I rather enjoy the bop of a track. You can read my original thoughts on the song HERE.

6. In the Stars - 9/10

A remix of 'In the Stars' was just released two weeks ago, and it quickly became one of my favorite Icona Pop songs. The album version loses some of it's magic in the verses, but thankfully the chorus is relatively unchanged, bringing a glorious out-of-this-world twinkling beat that the listener can't help but escape to a different galaxy while listening to. Read my full review HERE.

7. On a Roll - 7/10

This track is notable because it's really the first one on this album to deviate in the overall sound of the LP. It's a lot less standard "Icona Pop," having a rockier edge to it and maybe even some '80s flare? I'm not quite sure; it's very interesting. The bridge is definitely something different, almost reminding me of a lullaby. This is more of just a brainless pop track.

8. Just Another Night - 8/10

And here we go in a totally different direction yet again. This one is much more subdued, relying much more on the girl's vocals than the production. I really like it. It's nice to get away from the huge beats that literally drown out the girls on every song. Sometimes simplicity is nice. I could totally see someone like Katy Perry singing this one. This is really the first time we hear some emotion from the duo on the album.

9. Hold On - 6/10

Again, stripped back a bit, the duo's vocals have room to breathe. I don't find the chorus to be particularly strong; it's a bit too repetitive. This is definitely a filler track. It rounds out the album, but doesn't contribute anything noteworthy.

10. Light Me Up - 8/10

'Light Me Up' brings a slight R&B flavor to the otherwise strictly synth pop album. It also gives me a bit of a Californian vibe. I could see this song being played on a beach at dusk. It's one of those cliché party tracks where everyone joins in on the chorus and has a kumbaya moment.

11. Then We Kiss - 7/10

Finishing off the album is 'Then We Kiss' which brings everything that has happened sonically over the course of the listening experience into one final hurrah. The song has the chanting vocals of 'I Love It' mixed with the guitar fueled 'On a Roll' and it has some of the 'Light Me Up' "feel good" sprinkled on top. It's not the strongest track to end the album with, but I think it ties up all the loose ends quite nicely.

Tracks to Check Out: 'We Got the World', 'In the Stars', 'Just Another Night'

Overall Rating: 8/10