Disco de Robyn: “Robyn [PA]”

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.

I really loved Madonna's latest, but Robyn's self-titled album has blown Hard Candy out of the water! From beginning the end the album is full of sweet, savage Europop/R&B goodness. This album is a smarter, cheekier and better-written version of anything Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado and Fergie have put out in the past four years. Please pick this up if you're looking for a new artist to sweeten your musical palate.

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.

A shining example of what a pop record could be. "Robyn" is interesting from the second the intro starts with her instructions on how the intro should be read, followed by a squeaky "Do it". "Konichiwa Bitches" is a swedish hip hop slice of heaven. "Cobrastyle", while my least favorite track on the set, sets you up for the real meat and potatoes of the album. "Handle Me", "Bum Like You", and "Be Mine!" are worth the price of admission alone. Vocally and lyrically, Robyn swings with the force of a featherweight champion. Funny, introspective, polished, s and scathingly self aware, this outing is definitely a contender for album of the year...or would be in a perfect world.