Robyn Album: “Rakamonie”

Every song on the Rakamonie is what quality is all about. It left me wanting more and each song was incredibly different from the song that played before it. Robyn never stopped being too cool for skool, but when she cut her hair again and released this EP, she reminded us of why she's in a league of her own.

Konichiwa Bitches - same version on original Robyn release, but on this EP it has a little voiceover intro. Robyn sounds about 10 years old on this intro, which is so cute.

Cobrastyle - a cover song and Robyn did it better than the original. This song is mad cool! My fave line is, "Certain little boys I just stop deal with. Tell you they your friend and then bad-mouth again".

Be Mine - stripped down all the way and is better than the fast version. It's absolutely beautiful and her passion is obvious.

List of Demands - fun to hear and sing. Robyn's serious side, remniscent of My Truth. The only problem is Jenny Wilson's horrible voice.

Jack U Off - Robyn's unpredictable here with this Prince cover. To hear such an innocent-sounding voice sing those words ... weirdly wonderful.

Although Robyn has a new style, this new style is great! My favorite song on this album is "Cobrastyle". It has a great beat, and is very catchy.

Robyn is an important artist. In 1997, when she first emerged onto the scene with pop that was reminiscent of too much and lacked any serious US staying power, most wrote her off. I bought her album and then forgot that she existed. Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made concerning my own musical enlightenment.

She released two albums after Robyn Was Here. My Truth and Don't Stop The Music, and while both were international hits, neither impacted the states and she continued to go unnoticed.

Now if the world had any justice to it, 2005's Robyn would have thrusted her into the spotlight she so rightly deserves, but it received a release only in her native country and was only available as a pricey import (and on iTunes for a short time before they made it disappear). But what we have here is "the future". It isn't often you see a CD single offer a name other than the song being released. The Rakamonie EP is the official UK release of her song "Konichiwa Bitches", along with a smattering of b-sides not likely to be found on an official album, except "Cobrastyle" which will be featured on the UK rerelease of Robyn.

***Random information. April 2nd heralds the new version of Robyn's self-titled album, which, as the previous reviewer mentioned, will contain the song "With Every Heartbeat" that she recorded with (Andreas) Kleerup.

Speaking of B-Sides, this EP features very strong supporting songs. Her remake of the Teddy Bears' "Cobrastyle" is quite inspired, and the ballad version of "Be Mine" is haunting without the beats of the original. "List of Demands" with Jenny Wilson is fast-paced and entertaining, while "Jack U Off", a Prince cover, is alarming in all the right ways. Robyn is a true musical breakthrough, even if you didn't know it four albums in. Prepare yourself, because she will change the face of music.