Agnes

Glorious vocals begging "release me, release my body", lashings of dramatic strings, beats that won't take "I don't feel like dancing" for an answer... We could only be talking about 'Release Me', the surprise smash from Swedish Idol winner Agnes Carlsson, which crashed into the top three on Sunday. Eager to find out more about the owner of those mighty pipes, we called her up for a chat.

Congratulations on the success of 'Release Me'. Has it taken you by surprise?
"It's so wonderful! I'm on my third album but this is the first time I've released anything outside of Sweden. I was really nervous before it came out so I'm really happy it's gone so well. The UK market is so big that I almost can't believe it."

Do you think it can make number one this week?
"I don't know but I really hope so! If it does get to number one I'll have a big party for all my friends and everyone at my record company."

You performed the song at G-A-Y recently. How did it go down?
"Before I did the performance I was really, really nervous. I was like, 'Is anyone going to recognise the song?' But then I got onstage and everyone was singing along and I had a lot of fun. The atmosphere at G-A-Y is really fantastic."

What inspired you to write the song?
"The lyrics are about me and a boyfriend I had about a year-and-a-half ago. He wasn't that good a boyfriend. Actually, I'm happy to say this, he was a bad guy. The song is an uptempo party song and I really like the contrast between the lyrics and the song."

Does this bad boyfriend know the song's about him?
"I don't know because I don't talk to him now... and that's great!"

You won Swedish Idol in 2005 and released two successful albums, but then decided to quit Sony BMG and sign to an independent label. Why?
"My record company now, Roxy Recordings, is pretty small but it's been really great for me. The people here really work hard to help me and do a great job with my records - like they have with 'Release Me'. I have more control over my music now. Now I'm older and have more experience, this is the right time for me to be taking that sort of control. I really know what I want to do now and my label allows me to do it."

A lot of people are comparing your voice and your look to Leona Lewis. How do you feel about that?
"I think she's really beautiful and I love her voice, so it's OK with me. I don't think my voice is very similar to hers, but it's definitely a positive comparison."

Are you a fan of any British pop music?
"Hmm... I like Sting and the Sugababes. My favourite Sugababes song is maybe 'Push The Button' but I like a lot of their other songs too."

Which artist - of any nationality - are you most inspired by?
"Oh, definitely Whitney Houston. I hear she's working on a new album and I hope that she's better now and so on. I love her, I love her ballads and I think her voice is so beautiful, but I don't know how it sounds now."

There are rumours that it's gone...
"Nooo! Don't say that to me, I don't want to hear that!"

What's your next UK single going to be?
"It's going to be a song called 'On And On' but we haven't decided when we're going to release it yet. It depends how well 'Release Me' does in the next few weeks."

And when will see an album? Will it be your latest record, Dance Love Pop, or a compilation of tracks from all your Swedish albums?
"We haven't decided on a date for the album yet either. It's going to be Dance Love Pop but it might feature some extra tracks that aren't on the Swedish version."

'Release Me' by Agnes is out now.