Robyn: The pop diva it's OK to admire

[Nice Relaxing Poo]

No need to make "I like this in an ironic manner" excuses here, Robyn is fucking ace in so many ways that it makes such hipster comments redundant.

Dancing on my Own

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMth6xZlVJU

The Girl and the Robot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIWRYwCGEF4

Indestructible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofbiKzpPPFg

My favourite: With Every Heartbeat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ojHWQrm4UM


Rapping wit Snoop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mPbj9D3q2Q

[Kane Jones]

I've played 'With Every Heartbeat' and 'Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do' on my CaB radio show.  No shame here.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Is Robyn a "diva" - or was that being used in an ironic manner as well?

[Nice Relaxing Poo]

Is Robyn a "diva" - or was that being used in an ironic manner as well?

Nah the term diva is just applied to any female solo artist these days. No irony intended.

[Custard]

Aye, she's well brills

She's done a new EP/mini album (36 minutes, apparently) with Royksopp - https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/royksopp_robyn/do_it_again/

Which is good news, as their previous collaborations have been great

Did a "best of" playlist of Robyn recently, and play it a lot. She has so many fabulous pop tunes

[leighhart]

she never topped Show me love
http://youtu.be/bhWEI6-_w9E

[Paisley]

Ditto Lykke Li and Annie.

[Johnny Yesno]

Rapping wit Snoop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mPbj9D3q2Q

That's not bad. I find the rest of her stuff dull, though. Apart from Konichiwa Bitches, which is terrible but entertaining.

[momatt]

Nah the term diva is just applied to any female solo artist these days. No irony intended.

I thought the label 'diva' was used for any female solo artist (or gay male) who sings really loudly and is a bit of a cunt in real life.

So Robyn is not a diva in my book, though she is fucking cool.  Any pop star who does cover versions of Saul Williams gets three thumbs up.
My other favourite is Dancehall Queen (produced by Diplo), it's just perfect in it's melodic, bassy coolness.
https://soundcloud.com/robyn/dancehall-queen

The tune/video she made with Lonely Island is freaking awesome too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKQ6nINAeq8

[Neville Chamberlain]

I first heard With Every Heartbeat while in C&A in Riga, Latvia. I'd landed earlier that morning and was so overwhelmed by the experience of being in this exotic Baltic State that I immediately assumed, in my over-excitement, that this cool, understated, sophisticated piece of pop brilliance was the work of some gorgeous, icy Latvian songstress, a track that would forever remain hidden away from the more boorish tastes of the English masses.

Then a couple of weeks later I heard it in a sandwich shop in Nottingham.

[momatt]

Robyn's new mini-album with Royksopp is rather good.  Lots of grooving techno/electro pop tunes as you'd expect and some lovely ambient sections.

Interesting article about it here:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/31/robyn-and-royksopp-do-it-again

[sevendaughters]

Thought I'd bump this to say I think Honey is a pleasant thumbs up, if not a slam dunk home run touchdown from half court. The songs with Metronomybloke are a mixed bag, but there's a good run in the middle of the record from Baby Forgive Me to the title track that is very good. On the whole it's a bit smooth and tasteful for me, and I never quite get why Robyn gets considered like a pop auteur/great when she's clearly superior product, but 6.5/10 and I will definitely listen again.

[Norton Canes]

God that first Royksopp album is so lush.

But nothing tops this: SAYIT

QUIET!

[kngen]

Call Your Girlfriend makes my heart hurt. It seems really mean.

[madhair60]

Carly Rae Jepsen cheers

[Clownbaby]

Love her.

Apart from the line "hammer ya toe/like a paediatrician"

See u next Tuesday u is a punk

[the]

Genuinely clicked this thread thinking it was about Robin S. And also weirdly disappointed that it isn't

[Bogbrainedmurphy]

"With Every Heartbeat" reminds me of my last trip to Ibiza, must have been 06, perhaps 07. It was on everywhere, brings back good memories.

[Icehaven]

She was on Jools Holland last night and nearly (but not quite) inspired me to make a thread about music which you'd like if not for the vocals (decided not to as there's probably already been several). It's not that I think she's got a bad voice or anything, it's just not to my taste, but the music was great, some of the most lovely synthy stuff I've heard in ages and I wondered if it was possible to get instrumental versions. I find the vocals spoil a lot electronic music though so I think it's just me.

[popcorn]

Carly Rae Jepsen cheers

Name three songs to audit.

[madhair60]

Name three songs to audit.

Run Away With Me
First Time
Emotion

[purlieu]

The 17 track super-deluxe edition of Emotion and the 9 track Japanese edition of Emotion Side B. Basically a 26 track double album without a single bad track on it. Carly is hard to top.

Back to Robyn, I actually picked up Honey today, haven't given it a listen yet. I have the single CD edition of Body Talk, which gathers pretty much all the original material from the three mini-albums, and it's a fucking superb record, so my hopes for this one are reasonably high. My favourite of hers is In My Eyes, which is one of my all-time favourite pop songs.

[bgmnts]

She's shit.

[Golden E. Pump]

I like Robyn but this is a ludicrous claim.

Janelle Monae, Solange, JoJo, Sia and St Vincent to name but a few.

[purlieu]

Two plays in, Honey is pretty damn good. It definitely leans heavily on her previous stuff, other than the housey tracks at the end, but the songs are solid bangers start to finish. A refreshing 40 minuter as well, given how long a lot of modern pop albums seem to be.

[drummersaredeaf]

I'd take issue with mentions of St Vincent in the same breath as pop, and as 'diva' even more so.

At her best, (Actor and Strange Mercy for my money), she makes indie rock with electronic and experimental twinges. It's very much in the Pitchfork or 6 Music vein rather than straight pop music, and even though she has drifted in a more commercial direction with the last two (which I'd argue are weaker than the previous two I mentioned), there's evidence of influences from the likes of David Byrne or Prince rather than Rhianna or the likes. Even at her poppiest, there's always an underlying weirdness in the arrangements or melody that suggests she is borrowing from the mainstream rather than inhabiting it.

[Clownbaby]

Just given this album a listen yesterday. It's lovely. I think Missing U and Human Being are my favourite tracks. She's got such a sweet voice. The production is lovely and crisp as well, you can hear it glittering. Really pretty sounding album.

[Golden E. Pump]

http://www.goldenepinions.com/2018/12/honey-robyn-mini-review.html

Here's my mini review of Honey.

Spoilers: Loved it!

[dandoystevski]

She is shit for cunts. Annie is a million shining versions of her whack ass made actual flesh.

[Golden E. Pump]

I love St Vincent too, and this is no Strange Mercy but it's a good enough album.