Loreen: “I Love Broth” – On Her New Album Wildfire and Secret Plans for Swedish Fans
It’s a quiet afternoon in Stockholm, but Loreen herself is anything but still. She’s just wrapped up a rehearsal for the summer tours and dives into the conversation with an energy that makes the room buzz. Soon, she’ll be releasing the album Wildfire, and if you thought the last record was intense, you haven’t seen anything yet. This is about burning bright, expanding – and, perhaps most importantly, finally allowing herself to enjoy a bowl of broth without any guilt.
“I love broth. It’s my thing. People ask me about luxury, and I always say: a really good broth,” she says with a laugh. It’s this down-to-earth contrast that makes her just as captivating as ever. On stage, she’s a mythical creature, but in real life, simplicity wins. With Wildfire, she’s managed to capture both worlds. It’s the dance floor, it’s the cathedral, and it’s a voice that refuses to compromise.
Secrets, Swedish fans, and that special connection
For those of us who’ve followed her since Melodifestivalen, it’s no secret that Loreen shares a special bond with the Swedish audience. We’re the ones she comes home to after her European tours, and it’s here she feels she can try out the wild stuff. According to whispers I’ve heard from people in her team, she’s got something extra planned for us. No details yet, but it’s about getting closer. Breaking down that fourth wall that often exists between a superstar and the crowd.
“I’ve got something planned. Something that feels genuine. Because Swedish fans are so good at seeing right through you, so you have to give them the truth,” she says mysteriously, but with a wink that promises it’ll be unforgettable. It reminds me of what an old tour manager once told me: Loreen is never better than when she’s close to the people listening.
More than just music: The names and inspirations
When you dive into Loreen’s world, you realise nothing is a coincidence. Not even the name. People sometimes confuse her with the Canadian icon Loreena McKennitt – and that’s not entirely off. There’s the same spiritual undertone, the same sense that music is a portal. But Loreen (Loreen Bender, for those wondering) has always carved her own path. Over the years, she’s talked about her full name, Inka Loreen Minden, and how it carries a history of journeys and identities. It’s as if her entire artistry is one long bridge between the personal and the universal.
- Inspiration: During the writing process, she listened heavily to film scores and old folk music. The contrast between the grand and the intimate is clearer than ever.
- The Voice: In a major interview, she shared a thought-provoking idea about singing in a “sensual” way. It’s not about posing, but about letting her body be fully present. That the voice comes from a place beyond technique.
- Balance: To keep it all together – touring life, press, and the huge emotional release – she swears by Bach flower remedies. “It’s like cleaning house on the inside. You need your tools,” she says.
From tight schedules to freedom
There’s been a lot of talk about Loreen’s perfectionism, but with Wildfire, you hear something different. The looseness. She seems to have found a new level of control, which paradoxically means she can let go. During recording, there were times she just let the tape roll and experimented with her voice in ways that previously would have been too “unpolished.” The result is an album that breathes. It’s pop, sure, but it’s also something rawer.
And soon, she’s coming home. For all of us who stood in the crowd when she won Eurovision, for everyone who’s followed her through the years, and for those just discovering her now. I’d say this: keep your eyes peeled. This won’t be just another show. This will be an experience where Loreen – Inka Loreen Minden – shows exactly why she’s still one of our most talked-about artists. And who knows, maybe she’ll be serving broth in the green room.