Thrill of the Chase

Released in late 2022, Thrill of the Chase serves as Kygo's fourth studio effort and a consolidation of his status as a titan of melodic electronic music. Following the massive success of Golden Hour, this album sees the Norwegian producer refining his signature tropical house sound while leaning more heavily into collaborations with pop heavyweights like DNCE, Lukas Graham, and X Ambassadors. Sonically, the album is characterized by its bright, staccato piano leads and clean, punchy percussion. However, it also features significant departures, most notably the track 'Freeze,' which stretches over eight minutes and moves from a piano ballad into a soaring, progressive electronic epic. This track in particular signaled a desire to move beyond the three-minute radio format. The album was released as a surprise drop, emphasizing its role as a collection of singles and fan favorites recorded over a two-year period. It remains a benchmark for the intersection of dance music and mainstream pop in the early 2020s.