History (Molly Nilsson album) explained

History is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Nilsson, released on 14 December 2011. It was Nilsson's final album to be entirely self-released, as she started collaborating with Night School Records afterwards. History has been cited as Nilsson's "breakout" album, including by herself.^[1]

Background

Regarding the album's concept and title, Nilsson explained:

Release

History was originally self-released through Nilsson's own label Dark Skies Association. The CD version was released on 14 December 2011 and the vinyl version followed in April 2012.^{[2] [3]} In association with Night School Records, History was then released as a digital download on 31 January 2019,^[4] while reissues of the CD and vinyl versions followed on 29 March 2019.^[5] It was again reissued on vinyl on 29 September 2023.^[6]

Critical reception

History received positive reviews. Emilie Friedlander of Pitchfork, in a positive review, said that the album is "carried by the commanding, almost Nico-like ominousness of [Nilsson's] voice". Tim Sendra, writing for AllMusic, praised Nilsson's "wonderfully idiosyncratic music" and noted its emotional impact.^[7] In a positive review for German Éclat magazine, Marlena Julia Dorniak described Nilsson's music as "morbid", "melancholic", and "magical".

"I Hope You Die" was positively highlighted as a standout song by several writers.^[7] Friedlander noted that it demonstrates the "over-the-topness of Nilsson's aesthetic most forcefully". Sendra praised it for its "heartbreakingly honest" lyrics, while Dorniak commended its combination of a "danceable beat" with "tragically romantic" lyrics.^[7] The song also quickly became a "fan favorite".^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hooligan of the Heart Scarf . 30 January 2022 . 3 October 2023 . Dark Skies Association.
2. Web site: Molly Nilsson - History (2011, CDr) . 3 October 2023 . Discogs.
3. Web site: Molly Nilsson - History (2012, Vinyl) . 3 October 2023 . Discogs.
4. Web site: Molly Nilsson - History (2019, File) . 3 October 2023 . Discogs.
5. Web site: Molly Nilsson - History (2019, CD) . 3 October 2023 . Discogs.
6. Web site: History: LP - Dark Skies Association . 3 October 2023 . Dark Skies Association.
7. Web site: Sendra. Tim. History Review by Tim Sendra . 2 October 2023 . AllMusic.
8. Web site: Blair . Ed . Where to Start Exploring the Dazzling World of Molly Nilsson. 24 January 2022 . 3 October 2023 . Bandcamp.