Rebecca and Fiona Aim to Recapture Y2K Magic with ‘MEGA DANCE’

INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW ✦

Known for their dynamic mix of dance, electronica, and pop, the two-time Swedish Grammy Award winners Rebecca & Fiona have been captivating audiences since their debut in 2007 — securing top chart positions across Europe, starring in their own TV docu/drama series, and even sharing stages with renowned artists like Robyn, Avicii, and Tiësto.

With plenty of momentum behind their already enthralling discography, Rebecca & Fiona are now officially prepared to surge ahead into a new chapter of their musical journey as they prepare to launch their ambitious electronic-pop album MEGA DANCE, slated for release this September. And leading the way is their fresh club single “Heartbeat,” teasing fans with a bewitching glimpse at what the powerhouse duo is currently capable of.

Thematically, MEGA DANCE hopes to immerse listeners in the pulsating Y2K rhythms, high-octane energy, and overall extravagance reminiscent of a legendary Ibiza club during the vibrant summer of 2002. But due to the palpable dance-heavy energy that radiates from “Heartbeat,” fans can already rest easy knowing that this return to electronic pop music has the potential for brilliance.

Here’s what the duo had to say about their return to the music scene.

Rebecca & Fiona

How would you conceptually describe your upcoming album MEGA DANCE, and what are some of the core themes that went into its conception?

Rebecca: Production-wise, we decided to take inspiration from the music that initially opened up the world of dance music for us—our first electronic loves such as Rollergirl, Ace of Base, Leila K, and Scooter. It's where breakbeats and acid basslines meet fast piano rolls and corny synth leads. The song melodies and lyrics come from the same naive and innocent place as when we took our first steps onto the dance floors, but they still feel like classic Rebecca & Fiona style.

How does MEGA DANCE compare and contrast with some of your previous work?

Fiona: MEGA DANCE feels simple, pure, and fun. We've had a long period of navigating through our broad taste in electronic music. It has been very rewarding and has made us better writers and producers overall, but it feels like we have made our way back home somehow.

What was the creative process like for “Heartbeat,” your new single from the album, and what message do you hope to convey through it?

Rebecca: We actually made the first version of "Heartbeat" for a Eurodance musical we produced the music for, a couple of years ago. We felt it was too good not to be properly released. The song is about a love that keeps you dancing on the edge of madness. When the whole world burns down around you, it's hard to find your way through the chaos. Within that fire, your love is both your compass and your tempest.

How do you see “Heartbeat” fitting into the overall narrative of MEGA DANCE and setting the tone for the album?

Fiona: It's more pop than the rest of the songs and therefore stands out a bit. But that's how we roll. You're never going to get a clean-cut genre from us; we have too many sounds we like, and it's telling a part of our story.

Is there a song on the album that felt more challenging — or conversely, more satisfying than some of the others?

Rebecca: We've made a version of a very, very huge banger from '92 — not going to spoil which one just yet! It's always a big responsibility to make it into something unique while still respecting and enhancing the greatness of the original.

I also appreciate the inclination to celebrate this obscure, early ‘00s era of pop culture that included Von Dutch and a lot of confidence. What would you say are some of the defining sounds of that era that you hoped to tap into?

Fiona: The playfulness in the lyrics and melodies, combined with heavy beats and catchy leads, brings us back to the CD compilations of dance music we first bought as kids. Breakbeats, acid, M1 piano, trance strings, and hardstyle kicks, with flirty, girly, sexy, and cool vocals. That nostalgic feeling can probably bring you back to a happy place with your friends on the dance floor or to a heartbreak that scarred you for life.

With a focus on creating impeccable music for DJ sets – how did that particular set of skills influence your approach to songwriting and production on this album?

Rebecca: On this album, we really tried not to compromise the arrangement of the songs at all. So, if a song felt like a proper DJ track, we made a mix intro. For the songs we want people to listen to in their playlists, we didn't want too long of a wait, [laughs]. But it's always a struggle for us to produce music as hard as the music we play in our sets. The studio makes us fragile and vulnerable, while the stage makes us hardcore ravers.

In closing, how did your collaboration on this particular album reflect your evolution as artists since your debut in 2007?

Fiona: The process and making of the album was very easygoing and fast. But finalizing and mixing took a bit longer than expected, because when Fiona had her little baby girl it gave us some time to rest and live with the music, and that led to some improvement and last-minute changes, probably for the better. But now it's almost finished! Set the music free!