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Paradise Again
Black square with three white circles in the center
Studio album by
Swedish House Mafia
Released15 April 2022
Recorded2021 – 10 February 2022
Genre
Length60:02
Label
Producer
Swedish House Mafia chronology
The Singles
(2013) 		Paradise Again
(2022)
Singles from Paradise Again
  1. "It Gets Better"
    Released: 15 July 2021
  2. "Lifetime"
    Released: 19 July 2021
  3. "Moth to a Flame"
    Released: 22 October 2021
  4. "Redlight"
    Released: 25 February 2022
  5. "Heaven Takes You Home"
    Released: 15 April 2022

Paradise Again is the debut studio album by Swedish house music supergroup Swedish House Mafia, released on 15 April 2022 through SSA Recording and Republic Records.[3] It is their third overall album after the two compilations Until One (2010) and Until Now (2012). Paradise Again features guest appearances from 070 Shake, ASAP Rocky, Connie Constance, Jacob Mühlrad, Mapei, Seinabo Sey, Sting, Ty Dolla Sign, and the Weeknd.[4]

Four singles were released from the album, with the third single "Moth to a Flame", a collaboration with the Weeknd, peaking at number two on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[5] To promote the album, Swedish House Mafia embarked on the Paradise Again World Tour and headlined the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival alongside the Weeknd.[6][7]

Background

[edit]

Since the day we formed SHM, our dream was to make a studio album, an album that would stand for who we are as individuals and artists. Since our reunion we decided to fulfill our dream, we would embark on a sonic adventure that would take us to a new world, a world of free thoughts, limitless ideas and space for expression. This is us, this is our world, this is Paradise Again.

– Swedish House Mafia[8]

In February 2021, Swedish House Mafia's art director Alexander Wessley and their manager Max Holmstrand shared videos of the supergroup working on new music.[9] One month after the videos were published, the supergroup parted ways with their former record label Columbia Records.[10] In April, the supergroup signed with manager Wassim "Sal" Slaiby, hinting at a potential collaboration with his longtime client the Weeknd.[11] On July 15, Swedish House Mafia announced that they have signed to Republic Records and that they intended to release their debut studio album, Paradise Again, later that year. Following the announcement, the supergroup released the album's lead single "It Gets Better".[12] On 19 July, the supergroup released the album's second single "Lifetime" with Ty Dolla Sign and 070 Shake.[13] The album's third single "Moth to a Flame" with the Weeknd, was released on 22 October.[14]

On 10 February 2022, Swedish House Mafia announced that they have finished recording Paradise Again.[15] On 3 March, the supergroup released the album's fourth single "Redlight" with Sting, and revealed that Paradise Again is now scheduled to be released on 15 April.[16] The supergroup revealed the album's tracklist on 7 April.[17] On the same day, they revealed the artwork, stating that each particle in the artwork represents "a minute in the life" of the group, marking it as a timeline from the day the group was formed leading up to the album's release.[18]

Promotion

[edit]

Swedish House Mafia performed a medley of "It Gets Better" and "Lifetime" on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and on the pre-show at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.[19][20] In October 2021, to celebrate the release of "Moth to a Flame", the supergroup hosted the twentieth episode of the Weeknd's Apple Music 1 radio show Memento Mori.[citation needed] The same month, the supergroup announced their first tour in ten years, the Paradise Again World Tour, which is scheduled to commence in July 2022.[21]

In January 2022, Swedish House Mafia was confirmed to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at an unspecified date.[22] In April, ten days before the festival began, the supergroup were announced to be taking over Kanye West's Sunday spot after he dropped out, while also revealing that they would be headlining the show alongside the Weeknd.[23][24]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic69/100[25]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[26]
The Arts DeskStar[27]
Clash5/10[28]
NMEStarStarStarStar[29]
The ObserverStarStarStar[30]
Pitchfork6.2/10[31]
Tom HullB+ ((2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention))[32]

Paradise Again received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 69 based on five reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[25]

The Groove Cartel commended the album, calling it "a 360° exploration of electronic music".[33] Ali Shutler of NME praised Swedish House Mafia for taking risks "rather than sounding like a vintage group struggling to find their identity" and that the album has the trio "flexing their musical and emotional muscles across 17 brilliant, fearless and often surprising tracks. The kings of dance music are very much back".[29]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are produced by Swedish House Mafia and Desembra, except where noted.

Paradise Again track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Time" (featuring Mapei)
4:41
2."Heaven Takes You Home" (with Connie Constance)
  • Swedish House Mafia
  • Desembra
  • Klahr
  • Lidehäll
3:34
3."Jacob's Note" (featuring Jacob Mühlrad)
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
  • Jacob Mühlrad
  • Swedish House Mafia
  • Mühlrad
1:04
4."Moth to a Flame" (with the Weeknd)
 3:54
5."Mafia"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
 3:34
6."Frankenstein" (with ASAP Rocky)
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
  • Rakim Mayers
  • Pontare
  • Al Fakir
  • Kelvin Krash
3:27
7."Don't Go Mad" (featuring Seinabo Sey)
  • Swedish House Mafia
  • Desembra
  • Klahr
4:24
8."Paradise Again"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
 3:35
9."Lifetime" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign and 070 Shake)
 3:06
10."Calling On"
4:35
11."Home"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
  • Lidehäll
  • Constance
 3:44
12."It Gets Better"
 3:04
13."Redlight" (with Sting)
 4:02
14."Can U Feel It"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
 4:23
15."19:30"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
 1:57
16."Another Minute"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
  • Pontare
  • Al Fakir
  • Balbuena
  • Swedish House Mafia
  • Desembra
  • Vargas & Lagola
3:27
17."For You"
  • Hedfors
  • Angello
  • Ingrosso
  • Nordström
  • Cummings
 5:22
Total length:60:02

Sample credits

  • "Don't Go Mad" contains a sample of "Summer Nights", written by Lonnie Liston Smith Jr., as performed by Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes.
  • "Calling On" contains a sample of "In the Garden", written and as performed by Cassietta George.
  • "It Gets Better" contains a sample of "Lightning's Girl", written by Lee Hazlewood, as performed by Nancy Sinatra; and a sample of "One More Time", written by Al Mack, as performed by Divas of Color featuring Evelyn "Champagne" King.
  • "Redlight" contains an interpolation of "Roxanne", written by Sting, as performed by The Police.

Personnel

[edit]

Swedish House Mafia

  • Axwell – bass guitar, keyboards (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15, 17); drums, keyboards, programming (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15, 17); drum programming (4), engineering (all tracks)
  • Steve Angello – bass guitar, keyboards (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15, 17); drums, programming (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15, 17); drum programming (4), engineering (all tracks)
  • Sebastian Ingrosso – bass guitar, keyboards (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15, 17); drums, programming (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15, 17); drum programming (4), engineering (all tracks)

Additional musicians

  • Carl Nordström – bass guitar, keyboards (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13–15, 17); drums, programming (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13–15, 17); drum programming (4)
  • Dice of Nights – bass guitar, drums, keyboards, programming (1)
  • Killen Manjaro – bass guitar, drums, keyboards, programming (1)
  • Johannes Klahr – bass guitar, drums, keyboards, programming (2)
  • 070 Shake – vocals (9, 16)
  • Ty Dolla Sign – vocals (9)
  • Fred Again – bass guitar, drums, keyboards, programming (10)
  • Giampaolo Parisi – bass guitar, drums, keyboards, programming (10)
  • Marco Parisi – bass guitar, drums, keyboards, programming (10)

Technical

  • Jay Reynolds – mastering (1, 10), mixing (1, 7, 10)
  • Kevin Grainger – mastering (1–3, 7, 11, 13–15, 17), mixing (2, 3, 11, 13–15, 17)
  • Mike Dean – mastering, mixing (4–6, 8, 9, 12, 16)
  • Salem Al Fakir – engineering (1, 16)
  • Vincent Pontare – engineering (1, 16)
  • Carl Nordström – engineering (2, 7, 11, 14–17)
  • Johannes Klahr – engineering (2)
  • Todd Cooper – engineering (2)
  • Jacob Mühlrad – engineering (3)
  • Shin Kamiyama – engineering (4)
  • Fred Again – engineering (10)
  • Parisi – engineering (10)
  • Magnus Lidehäll – vocal production (2)
  • Kelvin Krash – vocal production (6)
  • Martin Kierszenbaum – vocal production (13)
  • Grant Valentine – vocal engineering (13)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Paradise Again
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Poland (ZPAV)[55] Gold 10,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Paradise Again

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Paradise Again is the debut studio album by Swedish house music supergroup Swedish House Mafia, consisting of DJs and producers Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso. Released on April 15, 2022, by Republic Records, it comprises 17 tracks blending progressive house, electronic, and pop elements, and serves as the group's first full-length release after their 2018 reunion. Formed in 2008, achieved global success with hits like "" before disbanding in 2013, only to reunite at the 2018 and embark on a world tour in 2019 that reignited their creative synergy. Paradise Again emerged from this renewed collaboration, with the trio scrapping an initial version of the album to pursue a more experimental sound inspired by their live performances. The project features prominent collaborations, including on "," Connie Constance on "Heaven Takes You Home," and Sting on "Redlight," alongside contributions from A$AP Rocky and . Preceded by singles such as "It Gets Better," "Lifetime," "," and "Heaven Takes You Home," the album received generally positive reviews for its energetic production and emotional depth, though some critics noted its departure from the group's earlier anthemic style toward a darker, more atmospheric vibe. Commercially, debuted at number one on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart in the United States and reached number 16 on the , while topping the UK Dance Albums Chart; it also peaked at number four in . The release supported the Paradise Again World Tour, which ran from July 29 to November 11, 2022, followed in 2023 by a live album capturing performances from the trek.

Background and production

Conception and development

, consisting of , , and , announced their reunion on October 22, 2018, following a surprise performance at earlier that year on March 25, where they played a set closing the event's 20th anniversary. The initial focus was on a 2019 world tour, but during these live shows, the group began experimenting with new material, gradually shifting toward full album production amid the global pandemic in 2020, when remote collaboration allowed them to refine ideas initially sparked by the tour's energy. By July 2021, the trio formalized their plans, announcing their debut studio album Paradise Again on July 15 via teasers including billboards in major cities and a , marking the project's official kickoff after nearly a decade without new group material. This came alongside the release of "It Gets Better" on the same day, followed by "Lifetime" featuring Ty Dolla $ign and four days later on July 19, both serving as initial indicators of the album's direction and building anticipation for the full release. The announcement coincided with a label transition, as the group signed with on July 15, 2021, through their newly established independent imprint SSA Recording, LLP—founded in 2019—to retain greater creative autonomy after previous major label experiences that they felt constrained their vision. In interviews, members emphasized this move as essential for , allowing them to avoid formulaic expectations and explore bolder sounds. Throughout 2019's reunion tour, , Angello, and Ingrosso frequently discussed in interviews how the performances reignited their creative synergy, with Angello noting the shared stage time helped them "rediscover the magic" of collaborative songwriting that had faded during their hiatus, paving the way for the album's conceptual foundation. Ingrosso echoed this, describing the tour as a for rebuilding trust and experimenting with ideas that evolved into Paradise Again's themes of renewal and .

Recording process

The recording sessions for Paradise Again took place primarily in Stockholm, Sweden, spanning from late 2021 through early 2022, with the album finalized in early February 2022. The process built on initial ideas sparked by the group's 2019 reunion but accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the trio—Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso—to collaborate closely in the same city without the interruptions of live performances. Key collaborations with guest artists were integral to the sessions, including vocal contributions from on "Moth to a Flame," which was completed and released in October 2021 after a single-take recording; A$AP Rocky on "," developed rapidly during an in-studio visit; and Sting, who re-recorded vocals for "Redlight" to fit the track's vision. Other features, such as on " Takes You Home" (recorded prior to its April 2022 release), added emotional depth to the project. Co-producer Desembra played a pivotal role in shaping the album, co-writing and co-producing the majority of tracks alongside the group, bringing fresh energy discovered through Ingrosso's scouting. His involvement helped finalize mixes, ensuring a cohesive sound across the 17 tracks. The sessions faced challenges from the need to balance creative output with preparations for the upcoming Paradise Again World Tour, compounded by restrictions that prevented live testing of new material. As noted, "We couldn’t road test any music," forcing the group to rely on internal critiques amid their high-stakes reunion dynamics.

Musical content

Style and influences

Paradise Again represents a significant evolution for , shifting from their signature euphoric anthems of the early to a more experimental and genre-fluid (EDM) landscape. The album embraces a darker, murkier sonic palette, characterized by buzzes, whirs, ominous drones, and polished, contained structures that prioritize texture over maximalist bombast. This departure is evident in the transition from high-octane crowd-pleasers like "" to a broader, more introspective approach that incorporates atmospheric builds alongside high-energy drops. Spanning 17 tracks with a total runtime of 60:02, the record balances relentless momentum with subtle, delicate elements such as interludes and sleek percussion. Key stylistic elements include bass-heavy , exemplified by the industrial drone of "Mafia," which echoes the aggressive, minimalist edge of Gessaffelstein's production. Pop house shines through in "," a collaboration with that layers sinister grooves over elegant builds, while dark underscores the album's brooding core. Hip-hop infusions add grit, particularly in "" featuring AAPRocky,where[horrorcore](/page/Horrorcore)rapmeetspulsatingbeatstocreateahellish,genre−blendingintensity.Othertracksventureintoemo−tingedmelancholy("AnotherMinute")andrave−readyeuphoria("Redlight,"sampling[ThePolice](/page/ThePolice)),highlightingthetrio′swillingnesstodrawfromdiverseEDMsubgenreslikeindustrialandatmospherichouse.GuestartistssuchasTyDollaAP Rocky, where [horrorcore](/page/Horrorcore) rap meets pulsating beats to create a hellish, genre-blending intensity. Other tracks venture into emo-tinged melancholy ("Another Minute") and rave-ready euphoria ("Redlight," sampling [The Police](/page/The_Police)), highlighting the trio's willingness to draw from diverse EDM subgenres like industrial and atmospheric house. Guest artists such as Ty Dolla ign and on "Lifetime" further enrich the vocal and rhythmic textures. The album's sound is deeply informed by the members' solo endeavors during their post-2012 hiatus, allowing each to infuse personal signatures into the collective work. , honed in tracks like those from his solo output, contributes to the record's memorable hooks and computer-crafted precision, ensuring emotional resonance amid the electronic sprawl. Sebastian Ingrosso's emphasis on bass lines and sing-along melodies, developed through projects like , bolsters the album's accessibility and replay value. Steve Angello's darker inclinations, influenced by hip-hop roots and evident in his solo explorations, lend an unsettling power and techno-infused heaviness, as heard in funk-tinged yet ominous cuts like "It Gets Better." This synthesis of individual evolutions results in a cohesive yet innovative whole, marking Paradise Again as a maturation of Swedish House Mafia's sound.

Lyrics and themes

The central theme of Paradise Again revolves around "paradise" as a form of and reunion, manifesting through motifs of loss, redemption, and that underscore the trio's return after nearly a decade apart. Sebastian Ingrosso described paradise as "simple" and rooted in communal experiences like nightclubs and festivals, where connection with the crowd provides an escape from reality. This is reflected in the title track, which evokes a journey toward an idealized, redemptive space amid personal and collective struggles. The album's narrative draws from the band's , with Ingrosso noting songs that explore "losing someone, going to , [and] journeys of what finding paradise would sound like," blending hedonistic energy with reflective redemption. Guest artists shape distinct narratives across the tracks, infusing introspective, reflective, and urban perspectives that align with the album's escapist core. In "Moth to a Flame," The Weeknd's contribution brings an introspective vibe, with lyrics like "It’s just one call away/And you’ll leave him, you’re loyal to me" capturing a hedonistic pull toward fleeting connection and temptation. highlighted the collaboration's emotional depth, emphasizing how The Weeknd's voice completed their electronic vision. Similarly, "Lifetime" features Ty Dolla ign′sand070Shake′sreflectivetones,evokingthemesofenduringbondsandquietredemptionthroughlinesaboutcitylightsandlastingties.[](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/swedish−house−mafia−paradise−again/)Aign's and 070 Shake's reflective tones, evoking themes of enduring bonds and quiet redemption through lines about city lights and lasting ties.[](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/swedish-house-mafia-paradise-again/) AAP Rocky's urban edge in "" adds a raw, experimental layer, as Ingrosso envisioned blending British house with Rocky's style to explore fragmented identity and renewal. The album delves into personal growth following the reunion, portraying maturity and transcendence in relationships amid past excesses. Tracks like "Heaven Takes You Home," featuring , address letting go and spiritual elevation, tying into broader motifs of loss and finding . reflected on this evolution, stating the reunion allowed them to make music by "choice" rather than obligation, marking a shift toward authentic expression. Ingrosso echoed this in discussions of hedonism's aftermath, viewing the project as a redemptive "second chance" rooted in brotherhood. Many tracks employ minimalist , prioritizing emotional delivery over elaborate , especially in instrumental-heavy sections that amplify the album's atmospheric mood. As noted in reviews, the lyrics avoid poetic complexity—such as Ty Dolla $ign's straightforward references to intimacy—focusing instead on evocative phrasing that enhances the music's emotional resonance. This approach aligns with the band's Scandinavian influences, where Ingrosso explained some pieces emphasize melodic soundscapes to convey feeling without dense narration.

Release and singles

Album release

Paradise Again was released on April 15, 2022, by through their independent label SSA Recording in partnership with . The album was made available in multiple formats, including digital download and streaming on platforms such as and , standard in a jewel case, and a double LP vinyl edition pressed on various colors including white and smoke clear for limited releases. The depicts a minimalist of the three group members set against a surreal, muted suggesting a desert-like paradise motif, with physical editions featuring packaging for the vinyl to accommodate the double LP format. Pre-order campaigns began in early 2022 through the official store and major retailers like Amazon, offering bundle options that included the album in CD or vinyl formats paired with exclusive merchandise such as apparel and accessories from the Paradise Again capsule collection. The initial rollout of the album was closely tied to the announcement of Swedish House Mafia's headlining performance at the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where they debuted several tracks from the record during their set shortly after release.

Singles and music videos

The lead single from Paradise Again, "It Gets Better", was released on July 15, 2021, marking Swedish House Mafia's first original track since their 2012 compilation Until Now. The song features a brooding electronic build-up and was accompanied by a directed by Alexander Wessely, depicting the group navigating a desolate, otherworldly landscape that underscores themes of perseverance and reunion. Four days later, on July 19, 2021, followed with "Lifetime", featuring Ty Dolla $ign and . This track blends pop-R&B elements with house production and includes a visualizer video emphasizing intimate, reflective moments among the collaborators. Remixes were released alongside the single to expand its reach in the dance music community. The third single, "", arrived on October 22, 2021, in collaboration with , showcasing a pulsating synth-driven sound that previews the album's experimental edge. Its official , directed by Alexander Wessely and released the same month, portrays an apocalyptic narrative with the artists fleeing a crumbling city amid fiery chaos and surreal imagery. "Redlight", featuring Sting, was issued as the fourth single on February 25, 2022, fusing tech-house rhythms with the veteran's distinctive vocals for a track that highlights intergenerational collaboration. A music video followed in March, directed by Alexander Wessely, capturing urban nightlife scenes intertwined with Sting's performance. The fifth and final single, "Heaven Takes You Home" with Connie Constance, dropped on April 15, 2022, coinciding with the album's release; it serves as an uplifting closer with gospel-infused house elements. An official video, directed by Constance herself and released in July 2022, focuses on emotional storytelling through personal footage and abstract visuals of loss and transcendence, paying tribute to her life and contributions to the track. Extended remixes and edits of the single, including a Swedish House Mafia remake, were later made available to sustain its momentum in club settings. The singles achieved notable chart success, particularly in dance and electronic genres. "Moth to a Flame" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, driven by over 12.9 million U.S. streams in its first week, and later topped the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart. "Heaven Takes You Home" reached No. 1 on U.S. dance radio airplay and peaked at No. 18 on charts in the Netherlands and Sweden, reflecting its strong European reception. Earlier releases like "Lifetime" also garnered airplay in electronic formats, contributing to the buildup of anticipation for the full album.

Promotion

Marketing efforts

Swedish House Mafia initiated promotional efforts for Paradise Again with a series of teaser campaigns on , beginning in earnest following their 2018 reunion but intensifying in 2021 to build anticipation for new material. Hints and cryptic posts appeared sporadically from late 2020 onward, culminating in a full reveal of the album title and artwork on July 15, 2021, alongside the release of the "It Gets Better." This announcement marked the end of a near-decade hiatus from full-length releases and was strategically timed to coincide with high-profile live teases, generating widespread buzz among fans and media outlets. Television appearances played a key role in amplifying visibility during the pre-release phase. On July 19, 2021, the group performed "It Gets Better" and "Lifetime" on , marking their first major U.S. TV outing since reuniting and introducing tracks from the upcoming album to a broad audience. They followed this with a pre-show performance at the on September 12, delivering a medley of the same singles to further tease the project's direction and collaborations. These slots were selected for their alignment with peak EDM interest periods, helping to bridge the gap between festival appearances and the album's eventual rollout. Digital marketing strategies emphasized streaming platforms to engage global audiences directly. In an extensive Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe on April 21, 2022—just days after the album's release—the trio discussed the empowering role of fan demand in their reunion and creative process, highlighting how persistent supporter campaigns had influenced the project's evolution. supported the launch by rebranding its Greenroom app to Live and hosting an exclusive virtual party with on April 13, 2022, featuring live interactions and playlist integrations to drive streams. The album was also featured in curated playlists, such as one inspired by Paradise Again, which spotlighted tracks and encouraged algorithmic discovery among electronic music listeners. Merchandise drops complemented these efforts by extending the album's thematic branding into tangible products. On May 16, 2022, an exclusive line tied to Paradise Again was released through official channels, including apparel, accessories, and limited-edition vinyl variants that echoed the album's artwork and motifs. Physical formats like CDs and double LPs were promoted via ' store, with variants such as "Version Two" emphasizing collectibility to boost post-release sales in a streaming-dominated market. To generate additional buzz, pursued brand collaborations and streaming exclusives. In September 2021, they partnered with on a limited furniture collection inspired by their aesthetic, timed to coincide with early Paradise Again promotions and blending EDM culture with lifestyle products for broader appeal. Streaming tie-ins included Apple Music's first-listen exclusives for select tracks and Spotify's event-based activations, which funneled users toward full consumption and enhanced discoverability through platform algorithms. These initiatives, while not altering core release plans, were impacted by 2022's economic pressures, including , which strained physical merchandising logistics and contributed to scaled-back pushes for vinyl and CD variants amid rising production costs.

Tour and live performances

Swedish House Mafia announced the Paradise Again World Tour on October 22, 2021, in support of their album of the same name, with the trek comprising approximately 40 shows across three legs in and . The tour commenced on July 29, 2022, at the FTX Arena in , , drawing a sold-out crowd for the opener and featuring elaborate production elements including a massive circular LED stage structure. It concluded on November 11, 2022, after navigating multiple challenges, including the cancellation of 17 dates primarily attributed to economic pressures and poor ticket sales in select markets. A key highlight preceding the full tour was the group's co-headlining performance at Coachella in April 2022 alongside The Weeknd, where they debuted several album tracks and remixes, such as an extended version of "Moth to a Flame," to enthusiastic festival audiences. During the tour proper, Swedish House Mafia incorporated live debuts of Paradise Again material into their sets, blending new songs like "Heaven Takes You Home," "Redlight," and "Mend a Broken Heart" with classic hits including "Don't You Worry Child" and "Greyhound." Guest appearances added to the excitement, notably Alicia Keys joining the trio on stage at the Chase Center in San Francisco on September 17, 2022, for the world premiere of their collaborative remix of her 2000 track "Finally." In 2023, released Paradise Again: The Live Album on July 28, capturing from the tour and extending its promotional reach. Following the tour's completion, members pursued individual and group engagements in 2025 that incorporated material from Paradise Again, such as the full trio's at in New York on September 11, 2025, in on November 4, 2025, and the scheduled show at the Soundstorm festival in , , on December 11, 2025. These post-tour activities sustained the album's live presence amid the group's evolving projects. The live debuts of Paradise Again tracks were generally well-received, with critics and fans praising the seamless integration of new material into high-energy sets that evoked the group's signature euphoric sound, though some shows faced scrutiny over production delays from cancellations. Early tour stops, including the opener and select European dates, sold out rapidly, underscoring strong demand in core markets despite broader economic hurdles.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, Paradise Again received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, earning a score of 69 out of 100 based on five reviews, with three positive and two mixed ratings. Reviewers praised the album's experimentation and ambitious scope, noting its departure into darker, more textured electronic sounds compared to the group's earlier anthemic style. highlighted the record's "richer in texture and grander in scope," crediting for bold risks like blending with party energy on tracks such as "" featuring . commended the "17 brilliant, fearless and often surprising tracks," including industrial edges on "Mafia" and punk urgency in "" with AAPRocky,viewingitasasuccessfulevolutionthatreclaimstheirstatusin[dancemusic](/page/Dancemusic).[](https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/swedish−house−mafia−paradise−again−3202467)Guestfeatureswerefrequentlycitedashighlights,with[Billboard](/page/Billboard)emphasizingessentialcutslike"HeavenTakesYouHome"featuring[ConnieConstance](/page/ConnieConstance)foritsupliftingemotionaldepthandsoaringvocals,alongside"Time"withTyDollaAP Rocky, viewing it as a successful evolution that reclaims their status in [dance music](/page/Dance_music).[](https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/swedish-house-mafia-paradise-again-3202467) Guest features were frequently cited as highlights, with [Billboard](/page/Billboard) emphasizing essential cuts like "Heaven Takes You Home" featuring [Connie Constance](/page/Connie_Constance) for its uplifting emotional depth and soaring vocals, alongside "Time" with Ty Dolla ign for its dynamic production. Some critics, however, found the album lacking cohesion and overly formulaic, deviating too far from the group's classic euphoric sound without fully succeeding. described it as "largely palatable but unremarkable," critiquing its derivative elements like the Weeknd-inspired "Lifetime" and a lack of originality in aiming for radio play. echoed concerns about certain murkier experiments, such as "Don't Go Mad" and "Frankenstein," which felt draining or caricatured rather than innovative. The album garnered no major international awards but received recognition in electronic music circles, including a win for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the 2023 Awards.

Commercial performance

Paradise Again debuted at number one on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart in the United States, marking Swedish House Mafia's first studio album to top the tally. The album also entered the at number 121, reflecting its initial commercial footprint in the broader market. In the , it reached number one on the Official Dance Albums Chart for multiple weeks, underscoring strong genre-specific appeal. On the Swedish albums chart, , the release peaked at number four and spent ten weeks in the top 60. The album's performance was bolstered by high streaming volumes, with lead single "Heaven Takes You Home" surpassing 300 million streams on Spotify by late 2023, contributing to the project's overall digital dominance. By mid-2023, Paradise Again had accumulated over 2.5 billion global streams across platforms, driven by playlist placements and fan engagement. Year-end rankings highlighted its impact, as Billboard included it among the top 25 dance albums of 2022. Promotional efforts, including a high-profile Coachella performance alongside The Weeknd in April 2022, amplified visibility and sales during the post-pandemic recovery period, though broader market shifts toward streaming over physical formats tempered traditional unit sales. The subsequent Paradise Again World Tour, spanning 2022 to 2023, and the release of a live album in July 2023 sustained momentum, with ongoing streams exceeding artist expectations into 2025 amid continued live performances.

Credits

Track listing

All tracks on Paradise Again are written by , , and , with additional writing credits to featured artists and select co-writers (e.g., Abel Tesfaye for ""). Production is credited primarily to , with co-production by Carl Nordström on multiple tracks including "," "," "Don't Go Mad," and "Paradise Again," among others. The standard edition features 17 tracks with a total runtime of 61:53.
  1. Time (featuring ) – 4:41
  2. Heaven Takes You Home (featuring ) – 3:34
  3. Jacob's Note (featuring Jacob Mühlrad) – 1:04
  4. Moth to a Flame (featuring ) – 3:54
  5. Mafia – 3:34
  6. Frankenstein (featuring A$AP Rocky) – 3:27
  7. Don't Go Mad (featuring ) – 4:24
  8. Paradise Again – 3:35
  9. Lifetime (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and ) – 3:06
  10. Calling On – 4:35
  11. Home – 3:44
  12. It Gets Better – 3:04
  13. Redlight (featuring Sting) – 4:02
  14. Can U Feel It – 4:23
  15. 19.30 – 1:57
  16. Another Minute (featuring ) – 3:27
  17. For You – 5:22

Personnel

The Swedish House Mafia trio—Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso—served as the primary producers, engineers, and performers on Paradise Again, contributing drums, keyboards, bass, and programming across multiple tracks including 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 17. Guest vocalists featured prominently, with providing vocals on "", AAPRockyon"Frankenstein",Stingon"Redlight",[ConnieConstance](/page/ConnieConstance)on"HeavenTakesYouHome",and[SeinaboSey](/page/SeinaboSey)on"Don′tGoMad";additionalguestperformersincludedTyDollaAP Rocky on "Frankenstein", Sting on "Redlight", [Connie Constance](/page/Connie_Constance) on "Heaven Takes You Home", and [Seinabo Sey](/page/Seinabo_Sey) on "Don't Go Mad"; additional guest performers included Ty Dolla ign, , Mapei, and Jacob Mühlrad. Instrumentation was supplemented by Carl Nordström, who played drums, keyboards, bass, and programming on tracks 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 17. Co-production credits went to Desembra on tracks 11, 14, 15, and 17, Jacob Mühlrad on track 3, and as vocal producer on track 13. Engineering duties included contributions from the on tracks 3, 8, 11, 14, 15, and 17; Desembra and Jacob Mühlrad on their respective co-produced tracks; Shin Kamiyama on track 4; and Grant Valentine as vocal engineer on track 13. Mixing was handled by Mike Dean on tracks 4, 5, and 8; Kevin Grainger on tracks 3, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 17; and Jay Reynolds on track 7, with mastering by Mike Dean and Kevin Grainger on their respective mixes. A&R was overseen by the members themselves.

References

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