The name “Tove Lo” would hardly cause many people to bat an eyelash with recognition. However, the Sweden-based singer/songwriter is quickly gaining notoriety in the mainstream with her hit song “Habits.”
The song describes lost love and turning to partying (more specifically, smoking) to keep him off her mind. At the beginning of “Habits,” the listener assumes this a fun song about partying too hard, only to discover it is instead talking about the the course of devastation behind the partying and drug use. Everyone can relate to wanting to numb the pain of a break up or a lost love. Getting high as the solution may seem like a bit much, but people have different ways of dealing with emotional pain.
Tove Lo’s song is relatable and hauntingly catchy. Her vocals sound like those of a practiced musician with a real ear for music. Her chorus is beautiful and lingers in the listeners’ heart and ears. She has stated that the song is a true story about what happened when she and her ex broke it off. This song takes a much deeper level for the listener knowing that this pain is real and raw.
“Habits” was released in Mar. 2013, but it was not until the release of the “Habits (Stay High) Remix” by Hippie Sabotage that it became popular in the U.S. The single is on the Billboard Top 100 at number four, and has been on the list for 20 straight weeks now.
This song is a unique and interesting addition to the music world. Tove Lo’s break through in the American market appears to be gaining steam, and hopefully, more of her music will soon make it to the airs of The Cat or other local radio stations here in Lexington.