Disco de Robyn: “Robyn [2007]”

If you like anything along the lines of Madonna, Britney, Kylie Minogue, or Fergie, then this is right up your alley, because Robyn Carlsson combines the sonic blend of differing styles of pop and has turned out a gem of an album that is beyond being worth the extra few bucks to buy this import. This is just brilliant, with catchy rap-like sing alongs of the track "Konichiwa B***ches" and "Cobrastyle" to the string-laden uptempo pop of "Be Mine!" and the dance number "With Every Heartbeat" which is brilliant 80's style dance pop that could have come right off of Cyndi Lauper's "She's So Unusual" album. Previously I was impressed with the sound of Sweetbox, but this blows that away. I had once thought the futuristic beats of Timbaland and Danjahands were unique, but this blows that away. I was once under the impression that, as pop music goes, no new ground would ever be broken. I was wrong. This is the female dance-pop equivalent to Michael Jackson's Thriller, it is that good. All the sarcastic, sardonic jeers that I have made in past reviews about the bland, pretentious, hyped-up releases of today's lame pop stars must have been answered from above, because this album is as close to a miracle that I have heard in quite some time. Where as once I was blind, now I see....I see Robyn making a huge comeback worldwide in 2008.

I'll cut to the chase -- this is a fantastic pop album, a refreshing new sound, so different from the top 40 schlock that clogs pop radio (here in the US at least). We need more albums like this; inventive, quality pop! If you like hip hop, dance, electro or futuristic pop in general, you will love this album (if you like the sound of Britney's new album, for that matter, you'll like this). It's a solid listen - the album tracks are just as good as the singles. Cough up the few extra bucks for the import price and get it. Konichiwa, b!tches!

Robyn is that strange and elusive thing - a pop artist that is creative, catchy, wears well over time, and is almost totally unknown by the general public. Hopefully that last part will change, because Robyn is one of my very favorite pop artists.

She writes her own songs, and you can tell - the lyrics are unusual and creative, and are delivered with conviction and relish. The music pushes the envelope, and in any album of hers, but especially this one, you can see different genres utilized and the evidence of her playing and just having a great time creating something new.

Crash and Burn Girl, With Every Heartbeat, Konichiwa Bitches, and Be Mine are the top standouts on this album, but you won't find any of the tracks annoying or filler. The songs stay fresh and new with every listen, and if you can get a hold of the single of With Every Heartbeat, with all of the remixes, you won't be sorry to have spent the money.

This is a must-buy album for any pop fan, for sure. Get the whole thing and don't bother downloading tracks, you will want it all.

It had been a while since I'd heard from Robyn (ROBYN IS HERE was a favorite album of mine in the 90's), so when I snagged the original import almost a year and a half ago, I about died and went to heaven.

As stunning as BACK TO BLACK from Amy Winehouse, if not more original. Props to both artists for writing their own material (for the most part).

This is a STELLLAARR return to the scene for Robyn, who surprisingly took a turn on background vocals for the once-reigning princess, Britney Spears, on "Piece Of Me" - it was produced by some of Robyn's Swedish buddies.

BUY THIS ALBUM if you are a fan of envelope pushing, yet widely accessible pop music that will live on as a testament to what can be done without consulting Timbaland, The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins, Max Martin, The Matrix, or John Shanks.

There is no adequately describing the magic that is Robyn's newest album. It was originally released in her native Sweden in 2005, and then the UK got an updated version in 2007 (adding Cobrastyle and With Every Heartbeat, subtracting some interludes, and remixing Robotboy and Bum Like You to be more upbeat). Now Robyn returns to the US after a decade (remember Show Me Love?) to show Americans that genius pop music is still being made somewhere in the world.

With Every Heartbeat is the crown jewel of the album, with its mournful lyrics set against a lush electronic background. The rest of the tracks are all over the place, from being wistful to bouncy to self-assured. There isn't a single weak track - we're not being handed three singles surrounded by filler. Robyn had to leave several major music labels in order to finally release the album that she wanted to, and thank goodness for her perserverance.

From Amazon's listing, it also looks like the US version is including a Handle Me remix and Dream On, a fan-favorite collab between Robyn and Christian Falk. It is missing the UK bonus track Jack U Off (a Prince cover), but that track is available on The Rakamonie EP.