No one can ever say that Zara Larsson doesn’t consistently deliver quality. “All the Time,” the umpteenth single from her as-of-yet untitled third album, is as shimmering as “Don’t Worry Bout Me,” with a happier message and a boppier production. Over bright synths, vocodered vocal samples, and skittering drums give the track the perfect energy for summer. Similar in content as lead single “Ruin My Life,” Larsson runs the risk of retreading familiar territory, but manages to infuse “All the Time” with enough personality to make up for it.
The song begins with the vocal samples, repeating the line “from the breaking of the day to the middle of night,” emphasizing the 24/7-ness of the singer’s obsession with her partner. Verse one sets the scene — detailing summer heat and intoxicated passion — before Larsson spirals on the chorus; unable to reconcile her lover miles away from the comfort of her bedroom, she makes a halfhearted attempt to leave them in the past. The second verse plays out along those same lines, while the bridge jumps down the rabbit hole of wondering if a partner is thinking about you as much as you’re thinking about them. A slice of modern day romance set to a triumphant production, “All the Time” is Larsson’s best bet at song of the summer.
Rating: 4.5/5