Vocal Coach Analysis: Zara Larsson x Midnight Sun LIVE
When Zara Larsson released “Midnight Sun,” the track quickly became a summer‑time anthem, pairing bright production with her unmistakable vocal agility.
For singers who love contemporary pop, the song offers a compact masterclass in how to blend light‑hearted vocal texture with powerful belt moments.
This post dives into the recording itself, highlighting the main techniques that make the performance stand out and showing how you can apply them in your own practice.
Why “Midnight Sun” Deserves a Close Look
Zara’s voice on this track is both airy and commanding, a balance that’s hard to achieve in a heavily produced pop song.
The production layers glossy synths and anthemic drums, yet the vocal line cuts through with a clear, almost “vocal‑finesse” quality.
Listeners can hear a thin, breathy tone at the lower end of the melody that transitions seamlessly into a bright falsetto as the song climbs, demonstrating sophisticated control that many aspiring singers strive for.
Vocal Technique Breakdown
Thin Vocal‑Fold Closure
The opening verses feature a deliberately thin vocal‑fold closure. Instead of a full, pressed‑down sound, Zara lets just enough contact happen to keep pitch stable while maintaining a light, airy texture. This approach reduces strain and gives the phrase a gentle, intimate feel.
- Characteristics – low vocal effort, close‑mic placement, minimal pressure.
- Effect – creates an intimate, “whisper‑like” quality that still sits firmly in the mix.
Chest‑to‑Falsetto Flip
Around the pre‑chorus, Zara flips from a low‑effort chest voice into a clean falsetto. The transition is smooth, with no audible break, which adds emotional contrast and keeps the melodic line fluid.
- Technique – retain thin fold closure while lifting the larynx slightly, allowing the vocal cords to glide into the falsetto register.
- Result – a seamless shift that heightens the song’s dynamic arc.
Mouth Shape & Vowel Modification
When the melody pushes higher, Zara subtly widens her mouth, creating a “trumpet‑shaped” opening. This vowel modification helps the voice stay full despite the thin fold setting.
- Tip – open the jaw a little more on higher chest notes and slightly round vowels (e.g., “ah” → “ah‑uh”).
Larynx Position & Thyroid Tilt
A subtle lowering of the larynx gives a darker timbre to the lower sections, while a gentle tilt of the thyroid cartilage (often seen as a slight chin lift) supports the higher notes. This combination prevents the larynx from dropping too far upward, which can cause an uncontrolled falsetto break.
- Visual cue – watch the singer’s chin rise as she ascends the scale; the tilt keeps the larynx stable.
Practical Takeaways for Singers
If you want to capture some of Zara’s magic, incorporate these habits into your daily routine:
- Practice thin‑fold exercises – sing soft “oo” or “ee” on a stable pitch, focusing on breath support rather than throat tension.
- Work on chest‑to‑falsetto ladders – start a phrase in chest voice, then glide into falsetto over a half‑step, aiming for a smooth connection.
- Emphasize mouth opening – use a mirror to ensure the jaw opens slightly wider as you go higher, and experiment with gentle vowel rounding.
- Add chin‑lift drills – sing scales while lightly lifting the chin; this encourages the thyroid tilt that stabilizes the larynx.
- Simulate performance breathing – practice singing while moving or doing a light cardio burst to mimic the faster breathing rate of a dance routine.
These drills reinforce the same coordination Zara demonstrates in “Midnight Sun,” helping you stay relaxed, resonant, and dynamic across your range.
Acoustic Version – What Could Change?
Many fans wonder how the song would sound stripped back to an acoustic arrangement. Without the dense production, the nuances of Zara’s thin‑fold closure and vowel shaping would become even more audible, highlighting the raw quality of her voice. An acoustic version could also showcase the contrast between her chest voice and falsetto, making the flip feel more dramatic and allowing the darker timbre from the lowered larynx to shine through.
Closing Thoughts
“Midnight Sun” proves that a pop record can be both radio‑ready and technically impressive. By studying Zara Larsson’s use of thin vocal‑fold closure, smooth chest‑to‑falsetto transitions, strategic mouth shaping, and controlled larynx positioning, singers can add a polished, professional edge to their own performances.
Try the practical exercises above, experiment with an acoustic rendition, and let the summer vibes of “Midnight Sun” inspire your next vocal breakthrough.
