Mirror (Sigrid song) explained

Mirror
Cover:Sigrid Mirror Cover.jpg
Alt:A woman wearing a pink gown standing on a diving board above a pool.
Type:single
Artist:Sigrid
Album:How to Let Go
Released:26 May 2021
Studio:
  • Sly Studio (Copenhagen)
  • Gold Diggers (Los Angeles)
Genre:Disco
Length:2:36
Label:
Producer:Sly
Prev Title:Home to You
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Burning Bridges
Next Year:2021

"Mirror" is a song by Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid from her second studio album, How to Let Go (2022). Sigrid co-wrote the song with Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren and Sylvester Sivertsen, with the latter also producing it. She came up with the song after she had ended a relationship. It was released on 26 May 2021 as the first single from the album, marking her first release since 2019. The instrumentation consists of several music instruments, such as drums, piano and synthesizers. A disco track, it touches on themes of empowerment, freedom and self-love.

"Mirror" was acclaimed by music critics, who praised its disco sound and lyrical themes. Commercially, the song reached number 13 in Norway and charted moderately in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It also topped Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart. A music video directed by Femke Huurdeman premiered alongside the song. The video depicts Sigrid being accompanied by a double while engaging in various activities. Sigrid performed "Mirror" several times in 2021, including at the Reading and Leeds Festival and Jingle Bell Ball. She also included it on her set list for Glastonbury Festival 2022.

Background and release

Sigrid released her debut album Sucker Punch in 2019. After its supporting concert tour concluded in December 2019, she chose to take a break from releasing music in the following year to focus on the development of her second studio album.[1] In May 2021, Sigrid started the Walk with Sigrid campaign to encourage her fans to find clues about her new music through a scavenger hunt across their local cities. On 19 May, Sigrid shared a snippet of "Mirror" on her TikTok account, announcing that it would be released a week later. The song marked Sigrid's first release since "Home to You" (2019).[2]

"Mirror" was released as the first single from How to Let Go on 26 May 2021 in various countries by Island Records for digital download and streaming. On the same day, Petroleum Records issued the song in Norway for the same formats. Island and Republic Records sent the single to American dance radio stations on 1 June 2021 while Universal Music Group sent it to Italian radio stations on 11 June.

Composition and lyrics

Musically, "Mirror" has been described as a disco song.[3] Lyrically, it tackles themes of empowerment, freedom and self-love.[4] [5] The song was written by Sigrid alongside Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren and Sylvester Sivertsen, while produced by the latter under the pseudonym "Sly". "Mirror" was recorded at Sly Studio in Copenhagen and Gold Diggers in Los Angeles. Sigrid wrote the song following a break-up, telling i-D that it "is about being okay with all the negative sides of your personality as well as the positive sides, and living with that. It's about moving on from heartache and accepting who you are".[1] She further explained that it "is a song about accepting your personality in all its flaws".

Writing for Stereogum, Chris DeVille asserted that the song is "driven by a powerful bass groove, bolstered by contagious bursts of house piano, and accented by a string section".[6] Vulture Brennan Carley stated that "Mirror" is "swaddled in swelling pianos and synths" and appears to have "a standard pop construction" which consists of "vocals, piano, a steady drum, recurring strings, and a synthesizer".[5] Moreover, he added "[the chorus] drops everything but its kick drum and piano, hoisting her technically pitch-perfect singing to the forefront".[5] Jason Lipshutz, for Billboard, asserted that during the chorus, Sigrid "gathers up the shards of her confidence" with "strings fluttering around her" and declares, "I love who I see, looking at me, in the mirror!"[4] According to Thomas Smith of NME, the chorus's "buoyant, direct message" is "under-pinned by slick beats and party-starting piano stabs".[7]

Reception

"Mirror" received acclaim from music critics. DeVille called it a "disco jam", likening it to the tracks on Dua Lipa's album Future Nostalgia (2020).[6] Lipshutz labelled "Mirror" as "a disco-tinged, summertime dose of self-love" and considered the chorus to be "indelible".[4] Carley affirmed that the song's bridge is a "homage to disco legends of yesteryear (with shades of Giorgio Moroder and Chic)" and lauded Sigrid's vocals.[5] BBC Music reporter Mark Savage named it "a blossoming disco anthem about conquering loneliness and emptiness".[3] Clash Robin Murray also praised Sigrid's vocal delivery and noted that "Mirror" is "one of [Sigrid's] most potent [songs] to date".[8] Smith stated that the song is "a celebration of the incremental changes we make; rarely do we engage in wholesale makeovers, but full of subtle improvements and recalibrations".[7] A reviewer for DIY declared that "Sigrid is back with a banger".[9] Lora Doyle of Hot Press called it "infectiously catchy".[10] An editor for Capital FM compared "Mirror" favourably to American singer Lizzo and that it is "the self-love bop we all need ahead of 'hot girl summer'".[11]

In Sigrid's native Norway, "Mirror" debuted and peaked at number 13, staying on the chart for 12 consecutive weeks. On Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, it became her second entry following "Don't Feel Like Crying" (2019). "Mirror" eventually topped the chart for the week ending 4 September 2021.[12] Elsewhere, the single reached numbers 22 on Billboard Mexico Ingles Airplay chart, 49 in the United Kingdom and 76 in Ireland.

Music video and live performances

Femke Huurdeman, working for Spanish production company Canada, directed the music video, which premiered alongside the single on 26 May 2021.[1] [10] Throughout the visual, Sigrid performs various activities, such as spending time with a chameleon, shooting a bow and arrow and "channeling a living Rococo painting as she poses with a pomegranate" while being accompanied by a double.[1] She sports different "flashy and unflashy outfits" with one "flicker[ing] like a disco ball".[6] Sigrid revealed to i-D that her and her double disagreeing with each other illustrates "when you don't really know what’s going on inside your head."[1] Regarding the visual, Huurdeman stated that "For me it's always important to showcase a three-dimensional image of a character."[8] Doyle called the music video "colourful", while Murray deemed it "bold".[10] [8] i-D Frankie Dunn considered that "the styling provides a playful contrast to Sigrid's usual look".[1]

Sigrid performed "Mirror" live for the first time on Later... with Jools Holland on 28 May 2021.[13] In June of the same year, she sang it at Norwegian radio station NRK P3.[14] Sigrid gave a performance of "Mirror" on 16 July 2021 for The One Show.[15] On 28 August 2021, the singer sang the track at the 2021 Reading and Leeds Festival.[16] Sigrid performed the single at Capital FM's concert Jingle Bell Ball in December 2021.[17] "Mirror" was also included on the singer's set list at Glastonbury Festival 2022.[18]

Track listing

  1. "Mirror"2:36
  1. "Mirror (Paul Woolford Remix)"3:18
  1. "Mirror (By the Piano)"2:45
  1. "Mirror (Zookëper Remix)"2:45
  1. "Mirror (Kelly Lee Owens Remix)"3:27
  1. "Mirror (Maliboux Remix)"2:31

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of How to Let Go.[19]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[20] 22
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[21] 20

Year-end charts

2021 year-end chart performance for "Mirror"! Chart (2021)! Position
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay Songs (Billboard)[22] 28

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
Norway26 May 2021OriginalPetroleum[23]
VariousIsland[24]
United States1 June 2021Dance radio[25]
Italy11 June 2021Radio airplayUniversal[26]
Norway18 June 2021Paul Woolford remixPetroleum[27]
VariousIsland[28]
Norway25 June 2021AcousticPetroleum[29]
VariousIsland[30]
Norway2 July 2021Zookëper remixPetroleum[31]
VariousIsland[32]
Norway9 July 2021Kelly Lee Owens remixPetroleum[33]
VariousIsland[34]
Norway16 July 2021Maliboux remixPetroleum[35]
VariousIsland[36]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: After an identity crisis, Sigrid is back with pop magic. Dunn, Frankie. i-D. 26 May 2021. 7 August 2022. 6 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220606234108/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/m7egwp/sigrid-2021-interview-mirror-video. live.
  2. Web site: Sigrid announces first new single in over a year 'Mirror'. Kenneally, Cerys. The Line of Best Fit. 19 May 2021. 7 August 2022. 19 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519103300/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/sigrid-announces-first-new-single-in-over-a-year-mirror. live.
  3. Web site: Why Sigrid feels on top of the world. Savage, Mark. BBC News. 5 May 2022. 8 August 2022. 7 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220607030021/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61271404. live.
  4. 10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Sigrid, JoJo, Griff & More. Lipshutz, Jason. 1 June 2021. Billboard. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200142/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/10-cool-new-pop-songs-sigrid-jojo-griff-9580754/. live.
  5. Web site: All Rise for the Return of Norway's Most Exciting Pop Star, Sigrid. Carley, Brennan. limited. 26 May 2021. Vulture. 7 August 2022. 20 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210620104904/https://www.vulture.com/2021/05/song-review-sigrid-mirror.html. live.
  6. Web site: Sigrid – 'Mirror'. DeVille, Chris. 26 May 2021. Stereogum. 7 August 2022. 16 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220616135124/https://www.stereogum.com/2149005/sigrid-mirror/music/. live.
  7. Web site: Sigrid: 'There's a part of me that comes out when I play live – it's my superpower'. Smith, Thomas. 6 August 2021. NME. 8 August 2022. 17 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220417042636/https://www.nme.com/big-reads/sigrid-cover-interview-2021-mirror-sucker-punch-3011985. live.
  8. Web site: Sigrid Returns With Freedom Bop 'Mirror'. Clash. Murray, Robin. 27 May 2021. 8 August 2022. 24 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211224170543/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/sigrid-returns-with-freedom-bop-mirror. live.
  9. Web site: Sigrid returns with 'Mirror'. DIY. 27 May 2021. 8 August 2022. 13 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211113015836/https://diymag.com/2021/05/27/sigrid-mirror. live.
  10. Web site: Sigrid returns with a disco sound on infectiously catchy new single 'Mirror'. Doyle, Lora. 27 May 2021. Hot Press. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200235/https://www.hotpress.com/culture/sigrid-returns-with-a-disco-sound-on-infectiously-catchy-new-single-mirror-22854336. live.
  11. Web site: Sigrid's 'Mirror' Lyrics & Why We All Need To Learn The Words. Capital FM. 28 May 2021. 7 August 2022. 23 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210623033340/https://www.capitalfm.com/news/sigrid-mirror-lyrics-song/. live.
  12. Sigrid's 'Mirror' Reflects at No. 1 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart. Murray, Gordon. 2 September 2021. Billboard. 7 August 2022. subscription. 18 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118234958/https://www.billboard.com/pro/sigrid-mirror-tops-dance-mix-show-airplay-chart/. live.
  13. Web site: Listen to Sigrid's dazzling new single 'Mirror'. Clarke, Patrick. 26 May 2021. NME. 7 August 2022. 29 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220429170729/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-sigrids-dazzling-new-single-mirror-2949144. live.
  14. Web site: Sigrid med unik og magisk liveversjon av 'Mirror'. Sigrid with a unique and magical live version of 'Mirror'. no. NRK P3. 13 June 2021. 7 August 2022. 5 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211205013049/https://p3.no/sigrid-med-unik-magisk-og-nedstrippet-versjon-av-mirror/. live.
  15. Web site: Sigrid – Mirror (Special Performance For The One Show). The One Show. 16 July 2021. 8 August 2022. YouTube. 8 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808225851/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o0dc-ZLZ04. live.
  16. Web site: BBC Radio 1 – Reading and Leeds Festival. BBC. 28 August 2021. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200142/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09qgngt. live.
  17. Web site: Sigrid – Mirror (Live at Capital's Jingle Bell Ball 2021). 11 December 2021. Jingle Bell Ball. YouTube. 8 August 2022. 8 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808225851/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlGO-CFQSws. live.
  18. Web site: Glastonbury reviews: Phoebe Bridgers, Sigrid and Arlo Parks. Smith, Patrick. Graye, Megan. The Independent. 24 June 2022. 7 August 2022. 19 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719095206/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/arlo-parks-review-glastonbury-phoebe-bridgers-b2108906.html. live. limited.
  19. How to Let Go. Sigrid. Island Records. 2022. 6024351768540. Liner notes. United Kingdom.
  20. Sigrid Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay). Billboard. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200142/https://www.billboard.com/artist/sigrid/chart-history/min/. live.
  21. RMNZ Hot Singles, 6 June 2021. Recorded Music NZ. 5 April 2023.
  22. Dance/Mix Show Airplay – Year-End 2021. Billboard. 7 August 2022. 2 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202184214/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/dance-mix-show-airplay-songs/. live.
  23. Web site: Mirror – Single by Sigrid on Apple Music. iTunes Store (NO). 26 May 2021. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200144/https://music.apple.com/no/album/mirror-single/1567258110. live.
  24. Citations regarding the release of "Mirror" in various countries:
  25. Web site: Dance/EDM Cool New Music. All Access. limited. 7 August 2022. 25 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140125003012/http://www.allaccess.com/dance/cool-new-music. live. Type Sigrid in the Search field.
  26. Sigrid 'Mirror' (Radio Date: 11/06/2021). Seminara, Emanuela Ali. Airplay Control. 7 August 2022. 17 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210917220635/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/sigrid-mirror-222196-11-06-2021-radiodate/. live.
  27. Web site: Mirror (Paul Woolford Remix) – Single by Sigrid on Apple Music. iTunes Store (NO). 18 June 2021. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200144/https://music.apple.com/no/album/mirror-paul-woolford-remix-single/1572296298. live.
  28. Citations regarding the release of "Mirror (Paul Woolford Remix)" in various countries:
  29. Web site: Mirror (By the Piano) – Single by Sigrid on Apple Music. iTunes Store (NO). 25 June 2021. 8 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200239/https://music.apple.com/no/album/mirror-by-the-piano-single/1572454451. live.
  30. Citations regarding the release of "Mirror (by the piano / acoustic)" in various countries:
  31. Web site: Mirror (Zookëper Remix) – Single by Sigrid on Apple Music. iTunes Store (NO). 2 July 2021. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200144/https://music.apple.com/no/album/mirror-zook%C3%ABper-remix-single/1573640337. live.
  32. Citations regarding the release of "Mirror (Zookëper Remix)" in various countries:
  33. Web site: Mirror (Kelly Lee Owens Remix) – Single by Sigrid on Apple Music. iTunes Store (NO). 9 July 2021. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200145/https://music.apple.com/no/album/mirror-kelly-lee-owens-remix-single/1573642931. live.
  34. Citations regarding the release of "Mirror (Kelly Lee Owens Remix)" in various countries:
  35. Web site: Mirror (Maliboux Remix) – Single by Sigrid on Apple Music. iTunes Store (NO). 16 July 2021. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807200145/https://music.apple.com/no/album/mirror-maliboux-remix-single/1573919192. live.
  36. Citations regarding the release of "Mirror (Maliboux Remix)" in various countries:

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