In today's segmented and focused music market, there are few clear indicators of what constitutes "popular music" — no hallmarks of a definitive "sound of young America," or anywhere else for that matter. But scan the top of the charts, or as San Francisco's DJ Earworm did early last month, create a massive mash-up from a dozen or so top tracks, and dance-friendly rhythms quickly stand out as a unifying theme. As the club scene has evolved into a mainstream cultural force, Swedish dance duo Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, better known as Icona Pop, have been steadily working their way into the popular consciousness since their first gig in 2009, and the eve of their full-length debut finds the pair preparing for world domination.

"We've just been in the studio having fun," says Hjelt regarding This Is ..., due Sept. 24 from Warner subsidiary Big Beat. "It's just been creative, fun chaos."

From the tip of lead single "All Night," the production is a star-studded, no-holds-barred affair, in which the pair collaborates with a multinational team of pop titans. This includes Norwegian producers Stargate, who've crafted hits for Rihanna and Wiz Khalifa; Karl Johan Schuster, better known as Shellback, who wrote "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" for Taylor Swift and "Moves Like Jagger" for Maroon 5; and longtime supporter Patrik Berger, who co-produced Icona Pop's breakout Iconic EP as well as Robyn's 2010 hit Body Talk.

Icona Pop's origin story has become familiar: Jawo, upset after a breakup, was dragged by a pal to Hjelt's party, where the two hit it off. Both had bad experiences in previous bands and were genuinely surprised to develop the working relationship they share today.

"It's so funny, because me and Aino were both so sure we were going to be solo artists — not be in a group or a duo or anything — because we didn't want the drama," says Hjelt. "You learn so much from that stuff. You learn working with people, you learn what you want, and you definitely learn what you don't want."

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