Dagny, the Norwegian singer renowned for her massively catchy electronic-pop anthems, has released a standout pop record this year. Dancefloor Erotica is the Album of the Week and it proves she can toy with the language of pop divas without slipping into the most obvious pandering to her fans.
Among her freshest and sharpest constructions is “C’est la vie,” our pick for the song of the day. It’s a deliciously unlikely hybrid, melding echoes of ABBA and Boney M. with a future disco sensibility that nods to the manner of Kylie, the Pet Shop Boys, or Alison Goldfrapp. The production is irresistibly danceable, appearing straightforward at first glance but hiding a multitude of small melodic decisions that reward repeated listening.
The lyrics tell a tale of a breakup from a stance of absolute independence. Dagny acknowledges past heartbreaks, yet she refuses to be trapped by them: “No, there won’t be no tears while I dance off the rest of you.” She isn’t going to cry; she’ll dance to shake it off. “You thought I was yours / But really, I’m mine” succinctly captures the song’s philosophy. C’est la vie: it’s over and onto something else.
Rather than simply churning out another instantly recognizable diva anthem, Dagny challenges the formulas and carries them into more unexpected territory. “C’est la vie” sounds familiar from the very first beat, but it contains enough melodic twists and playful arrangements to beg for a second listen.
