Robyn - Honey

Robyn
Honey
2018
Spotify

Robyn's music is supremely unique. Through what is seemingly pop or dance she is able to evoke these heartbreaking and intense emotions, all while making you dance. It's grounds that almost any artist try to cover, but most fail. Robyn is judicious with her releases, Her brand of pop has always been different because she rejected the corporate box. She never signed a record deal while stars like Britney Spears were cashing in on millions and millions of dollars. Not to say that Robyn's music would ever have been as easily digestible as Briteny Spears, its far too complex and diverse for that, but the chance for pop super stardom at one point was on the table. "Human Being" sums up those edgier tendencies, with a minimal echoey bop that allows Robyn's vocal to be the driving force rather than the underlying beat. Instead of going on vocal runs and stretching out vocally, she allows her voice to be the beat at times and the melody at others. It's really quite fascinating. "Because It's in The Music" has big time Carly Rae Jepsen vibes but still has this atmospheric dance presence that is so distinctly Robyn. There is definitely an aspect of squired taste when it comes to Robyn, because you have to really dial in on what she is trying to do. Robyn doesn't make background music, she doesn't sing background vocals, and it's why it has taken her eight years to release a new record. She doesn't do things because they are popular, she does things because she feels them.

The songs on Honey are given so much time and space to develop. "Baby Forgive Me" never mentions the title throughout the song, but then "Send Immediately to Robyn" repeats "baby forgive me" throughout the track. It's something Robyn looks for a lot on this record, forgiveness, but not for past transgressions, more for just existing. Her brand of dance is so amazing because instead of hitting you over the head with music it unfolds in front of you and dares you to approach it. Can you feel the feelings? Can you keep it together on the floor? These are the questions Robyn seeks to answer here. She has always celebrated the the feeling of loneliness that we all feel, but rarely deal with, especially when it comes to pop or dance. Yet Robyn bridges that gap where you can all at once be alone and with everyone else. "Beach2k20" tries to create what the summer jam from 2020 might sound like as the album cruises smoothly into it's close. "Ever Again" reiterates her proclamation of never allowing loneliness to ever get her down again letting that "shit out the door". A powerful return to music Robyn never really felt like she left anyway.

8.6 out of 10