Fifteen years ago, Agnes Carlsson won the television program Idol. The victory was followed by great success at home in Sweden, followed by the international breakthrough when the song Realese me climbed the charts.

- I started when I was 16, everything happened very quickly and all of a sudden I was 26. It was clear then that I needed to take a step back to see how I wanted to move on, she says

Releases new disc

In 2015, she chose to leave the spotlight, but last year she started her career again. She appeared, together with her partner Vincent Pontare, on Avcii's song Tough love. Since then, she has released several songs in her own name, most recently the single Fingers crossed.

Next year will be a new record, the first in 9 years.

- Since I was away from music for so long, I have consciously thought that this process should be quite long.

Nowadays, she has taken control of the entire creative process and writes music, produces and runs her own label.

- Everything must, to one hundred percent, come from myself. If I am not in all the pieces, there is a risk that something will fall away along the way.

Discon is still current

The new music draws inspiration from the big stars of disco. Agnes Carlsson says that it is music that she often returns to. It is partly about the soundscape, but above all it is the disco's hopeful message that attracts.

- Ever since I was little, I have looked up to discoqueens like Sylvester, Diana Ross and Donna Summer. They created something where nothing is impossible.

- It is also something that has been present when we have written the songs, how can you make a melody or put a string scar that makes it feel like you are standing on top of a mountain and the wind is blowing in your hair.

What happens now?

- Throughout the autumn, I will focus on writing this album, which will come sometime next year.