United Kingdom, May 29 -- Zara Larsson's Swedish upbringing "shaped [her] ear for melody".

The 28-year-old singer has enjoyed a hugely successful pop career, and Zara thinks her Swedish upbringing has been a big part of her success in the music business.

The blonde beauty told Vogue Singapore: "Sweden has such a strong pop tradition, and I think growing up there definitely shaped my ear for melody.

"Swedish pop can be very clean, very direct, very emotional without being too complicated. But I also always looked outward. I wanted the big global sound. So I think my music has that Swedish melodic foundation, but with this very ambitious pop-girl energy."

Zara also recalled being inspired by the likes of Beyonce and Carola Haggkvist dur...