Agnes WAKE UP: Swedish Pop Icon Returns with New 2026 Single

Swedish pop royalty is officially back. On January 1, 2026, Agnes kicked off the new year by dropping her empowering new single, “WAKE UP.” Following the massive critical success of her 2021 album Magic Still Exists, Agnes is proving once again why she has remained a dominant force in the music industry for over two decades. “WAKE UP” isn’t just a song; it’s a mission statement for her highly anticipated sixth studio album, “Beautiful Madness,” set to arrive on January 23, 2026.

The Sound of “WAKE UP”: Raw, Direct, and Empowering

While her previous era was defined by “spiritual disco” and lush, layered productions, “WAKE UP” signals a shift toward a rawer, more authentic sound.

Produced by the legendary Vincent Pontare and Salem Al Fakir (Vargas & Lagola), the track strips away the polish to let Agnes’s powerhouse vocals take center stage. The lyrics—co-written by Agnes alongside Hannah Wilson and Kerstin Ljungström—serve as a call to action:

“Wake up! It’s time for you to wake up… To all the power you got! You and I are so much more than our history!”

This new direction was inspired by the minimalist art of Mark Rothko and the experimental spirit of Róisín Murphy. Agnes has shared that for this record, she allowed the lyrics to lead the way, resulting in music that feels “naked” and “unfinished” in the most beautiful way possible.

Two Decades of Evolution: From “Idol” to Icon

It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since a 16-year-old Agnes won Swedish Idol in 2005. Since then, her career has been a masterclass in artistic evolution:

  • The Global Breakthrough: In 2009, “Release Me” became a worldwide phenomenon, topping the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and selling over 4 million copies.

  • The “Spiritual Disco” Era: After a hiatus, her 2021 return with Magic Still Exists earned her four Swedish Grammy nominations and the prestigious Composer of the Year award.

  • A Streaming Powerhouse: With nearly half a billion streams to her name, she remains one of Sweden’s most successful and respected exports.

What to Expect from “Beautiful Madness”

The new single “WAKE UP” follows a string of high-energy teasers including “BALENCIAGA COVERED EYES,” “MILK,” and “EGO.” According to Agnes, the upcoming album Beautiful Madness is about embracing the contradictions of being human—the messiness, the hubris, and the vulnerability. “I’ve realized that it’s precisely in the contradictions… that life actually feels alive,” she recently told the press.

Upcoming Live Dates

Fans won’t have to wait long to see these new tracks live. To celebrate the album release, Agnes has announced two exclusive shows:

  • London: KOKO – January 28, 2026

  • Stockholm: Berns – January 24, 2026