Zara Larsson is back, and she’s ripping up the rulebook. With her brand new single “Pretty Ugly”, the Swedish pop powerhouse delivers a wild, chaotic anthem that refuses to play by anyone’s standards but her own.

Over the years, Larsson’s career has thrived on contradictions: polished pop with a rebellious core, chart-ready hits fueled by outspoken opinions. 2024’s “Venus” saw her stepping into independence with her own label, Sommer House, but even then, she sometimes felt trapped by expectations. “Pretty Ugly” smashes through those barriers with fearless energy.

Produced by MNEK and Margo XS, and written by Zara Larsson, Helena Gao, Margo XS, and MNEK, the track stretches Larsson’s sound into unexpected territory. It’s a reunion with MNEK, who helped craft some of her earliest hits like “Never Forget You” and “Ain’t My Fault” back in 2015 and 2016. Together, they push her even further this time, pulling listeners into a high-voltage blend of early ’90s rave chaos and fizzy Euro-dance beats, swapping glossy pop perfection for something raw and riotous.

Musically, think Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” and Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty” filtered through glitchy electronic textures, with a swaggering rap section that gives Zara a whole new edge. It’s chaotic, it’s unfiltered, and it’s unforgettable.

Lyrically, “Pretty Ugly” is classic Larsson: bold, feminist, and unafraid to challenge society’s double standards. She tackles the pressure on women to be “pretty,” “nice,” and “well-behaved,” flipping those expectations on their head. Lines like “Have you ever seen a pretty girl get ugly like this?” dare listeners to rethink what strength and beauty really look like.

Yes, Zara Larsson fits traditional beauty ideals, and yes, she knows that can complicate the message. But in true feminist spirit, she refuses to let that limit her. In the Charlotte Rutherford-directed video, she leans fully into the chaos: cheerleading stunts, muddy fields, and plenty of fearless, sexy energy. Larsson’s feminism isn’t about rejecting sex appeal — it’s about owning it, on her own terms.

With “Pretty Ugly”, Zara Larsson isn’t just pushing boundaries; she’s gleefully tearing them down. In an era where pop can often feel overly curated and cautious, her latest single is a messy, electrifying reminder that real power comes from embracing every side of yourself.

“Pretty Ugly” is out now, and Zara’s driving this ride full throttle.