Robyn "Sexistential" (2026)

Sexistential

udgivet: 27. mar. 2026

format: digital (9 x File, FLAC)

[vurdering: 4 / 5] [3,76]

producer: Klas Åhlund

selskab: Konichiwa - nationalitet: Sverige

Udvalgte numre: 1. "Really Real" - 2. "Dopamine" (4 / 5) - 4. "Sucker for Love" - 6. "Talk to Me" - 8. "Light Up"

9. studiealbum fra svenske Robyn følger hele 7½ år efter albummet Honey (okt. 2018). Tilbage ses Klas Åhlund som medkomponist og producer efter at været fraværende / fravalgt på 2018-udgivelsen - og ellers har Åhlund været med Robyn på alle udgivelser siden det selvbetitlede 4. album fra 2005.

Robyn har lavet en del forskellige albums i årenes løb uden at lyde som andet end... Robyn, og i den kontekst har Åhlund nok en rolle at spille uden det er klart, hvor stor indflydelse han har i det store billede. Albummet er et af de kortere af slagsen med sine blot lidt over 29 minutters totale spilletid fordelt på 9 numre. På den måde minder det i format om de to første udgivelser i "Body Talk"-serien Body Talk Pt. 1 (jun. 2010) og Body Talk Pt. 2 (sep. 2010) uden at dette nye album nogen steder benævnes som et decideret 'Mini-album'. Sådanne format-angivelser er ligesom blevet underligt antikvariske størrelser efter streaming-tjenesternes dominans, hvor spilletid er blevet noget ganske sekundært, mens det primære synes at være at kunne fremvise nye udgivelser.

Udover Åhlund er der som vanligt et mindre sammenrend af medsangskrivere og komponister, hvor det er svært at pege på andre end Åhlund som gennemgående figurer, og på den måde fremstår albummet nok mere som en samling nye numre lavet med forskellige andre, som Åhlund og Robyn så i sidste ende har fået til at fungere som et samlet hele. De to første numre fremstår måske mere som en slags singler, som også er kendetegnet ved at være lavet i samspil med andre kendte kunstnere. "Really Real" er lavet med Jonathan Bates fra amerikanske rockband Mellowdrone - han er også medkomponist på "Sucker for Love" sammen med Svein Berge fra norske Röyksopp, og "Dopamine" er skrevet med hjælp fra britiske Taio Cruz, hvorimod resten af numrene er lavet under medvirken af især svenske kunstnere, sangskrivere og producenter som fx Oscar Holter, Elvira Anderfjärd og så et gensyn med Max Martin (aka Martin Sandberg), som tidligt i Robyns karriere stod bag flere af hendes første store hits.

Resulatet er noget, der i mine ører umiddelbart falder mere i tråd med Body Talk-trilogien end en fortsættelse af Honey, men det er samtidig noget andet - noget nyt. Jeg synes ikke helt vi er på højde med tidligere tiders høje standarder, dertil er der et par helt anonyme numre med, hvilket er for meget, når vi er på så kort spilletid, mens de fremhævede numre alle har særlige kendetegn, der gør det til den temmelig unikke Robyn-musik.

I håb om en gentagelse af flere udgivelser samme år, så er dette dog indtil videre klart anbefalet.

[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The Times 4 / 5, PopMatters, Uncut 3,5 / 5 stjerner ]

Robyn "Honey" (2018)

Honey
release date: Oct. 26, 2018
format: digital (9 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,84]
producer: Joseph Mount (primary)
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Missing U" (live on Later) - 2. "Human Being (feat. Zhala)" - 3. "Because It's in the Music" - 4. "Baby Forgive Me" - 6. "Honey" (live on Later) - 7. "Between the Lines" - 9. "Ever Again"

8th studio album by Robyn released some 8 years following her previous studio album Body Talk from 2010. The album has various producers - with Joseph Mount as the album's main producer on 6 out of 9 tracks, and with Klas Åhlund (Robyn's main co-writer on 5 tracks), as producer on 4 of the songs.
The album spawned the two singles, "Missing U" released in August and the title track released the following month reaching number #13 and #23 respectively on the Swedish singles charts. The album topped the charts in Sweden and it's her best-faring album on the US albums chart list as number #40, and it was soon attributed positive reviews from major music magazines and sites world-wide, which I fully understand.
A first listen doesn't necessarily convince the listener of a major development when comparing to her previous albums, but already on a second or third confrontation I notice how the songs are composed with a slower and more progressive approach where the single songs stand out as near-monumental compositions - musically as well as lyrically. There's a presence of maturity all over the album - something one cannot ascribe her previous seven albums, and the sensation is more indirect but perhaps more life-strong as contrary to her bolder dance-floor hits.
Honey is no less than one of Robyn's best and most coherent albums to date, as well as a major album of the year. For a year or so, I had this at a first spot, but in retrospect I found two albums bettering another really strong release by Robyn. She basically dunnit again, although, the lasting impression leaves me with the sensation that it doesn't reach the high level of the 2010 nor the 2007 albums - but lesser will do more than fine.
Recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4,5 / 5, 👍NME, Q Magazine, The Times 4 / 5 stars ]

2018 Favourite releases: 1. Jon Hopkins Singularity - 2. The Fratellis In Your Own Sweet Time - 3. Robyn Honey

Robyn "Body Talk" (2010)

Body Talk
release date: Nov. 22, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,18]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Dancing on My Own" - 2. "Fembot" - 3. "Don't Fucking Tell Me What to Do" - 4. "Indestructible" - 6. "Love Kills" - 7. "Hang With Me" - 9. "None of Dem" (feat. Röyksopp) - 10. "We Dance to the Beat" - 11. "U Should Know Better" (feat. Snoop Dogg) - 12. "Dancehall Queen" - 13. "Get Myself Together" - 15. "Stars 4-Ever"

7th studio album by Robyn, or: a compilation? It's released and filed by most sites as a studio album, but in essence it only contains previously released compositions all issued in the "Body Talk"-series Pt. 1-3 counting two Mini-albums and one ep. I prefer thinking of this as her 2010 studio album consisting of material taken from two mini-albums and an ep. This also makes sense when taking into account that in 2014 she released an ep titled Do It Again with Röyksopp containing five tracks with a running time over 35 mins - longer than any of her two first "Body Talk" Mini-albums. Five tracks here are taken from each of the three "Body Talk" albums: from Body Talk, Pt. 1 we find tracks #1, #2, #3, #9, and #12, from Body Talk, Pt. 2 tracks #6, #7, #10, #11, and #14, and from Body Talk, Pt. 3 tracks #4, #5, #8, #13, and #15 - In bold: great tracks showing that from my perspective, Part 1 delivers three fine songs, Part 2 only one, and Part 3 two fine songs. But really... it's so calculated that she releases five songs from each, when that also means that three songs are left out from both Part 1 and 2, but all tracks are included from the shorter Part 3 ep. The selection of songs could have been better, and I miss "Cry When You Get Older" from Part 1, and I could easily have thought of "Include Me Out" from Part 2 instead of the two minor fillers "Time Machine" and "Call Your Girlfriend" from Part 3.
Body Talk is a fine album regardless how you file it, but at the end of the day, I prefer to have all three "Body Talk" albums instead of just this one.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Slant 4 / 5 stars ]

2010 Favourite releases: 1. Søren Huss Troen & ingen - 2. The Chemical Brothers Further - 3. Robyn Body Talk

Robyn "Body Talk Pt. 3" (2010) (ep)

Body Talk Pt. 3, ep
release date: Nov. 22, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,62]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Indestructible" - 4. "Get Myself Together" - 5. "Stars 4-Ever"

Studio ep release and final part of the "Body Talk"-series is a minimised album compared to the first two parts, although, they weren't exactly 'normal' full-length albums. The two former parts may still be regarded as actual albums, I think. Credentials for production and songwriting follows the same recipe as the other releases with Klas Åhlund as major partner and driving force. Robyn's initial announcement about releasing three mini-albums was somewhat altered after Body Talk, Pt. 2, which wasn't released until September. Instead, she now spoke of a full-length Body Talk album to end the year; however, this seems like her first take on a compromise. Part 3 is the first natural ep release as it's almost just half the length of the two first single parts with a running time below 19 mins. It contains five tracks, and it's released - on the date - simultaneously with a promised full-length Body Talk album containing selected tracks from all three mini-albums, which then would be regarded as her seventh studio album.
Part 3 full-fills her self-professed idea of releasing 3-albums-a-year in 2010, but it also seems like a compromise in the sense that it's not made as extensive as the two former releases - perhaps she was running out of time, or ideas?? Fact is, the first part wasn't released until June and it should take her another three months to release part 2, and as she was occupied doing live concerts everywhere in a year where she intended to release three albums writing and recording songs while touring... well, needless say, it would take quite an effort, and here as the calendar runs out of months, she could realise her project issuing a single ep, although that would be a bit like letting air out of a balloon, so she also handpicked songs from the three releases and issued the Body Talk album, which in essence feels like a compilation more than a studio album, but as I said, I think that explains the compromise.
After all, Part 3 sums of the year quite nicely. It continues the style of the two predecessors and basically lands somewhere in between in more than one sense. It's styled like a mix of Part 1 and Part 2 as it contains a stronger electropop-style than Part 2, and it also contains some of the same hooks and sparkle that one finds on the first part, and to end the project right, she has included the strong single "Indestructible" in the traditional dance-pop version, which is found on Part 2 in an acoustic version. All in all, it's not the blast it started out as, but it's still more than Okay. Five tracks would be an awesome release thinking of the quality from Part 1, but this ep still contains two obvious fillers, which perhaps points to the conclusion that Robyn was running out of both time and ideas.
[ SputnikMusic, Gaffa.dk 4 / 6, Express.co.uk 3 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "Body Talk Pt. 2" (2010)

Body Talk Pt. 2, mini-album
release date: Sep. 6, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,56]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 2. "Include Me Out" - 3. "Hang with Me" - 4. "Love Kills" - 5. "We Dance to the Beat" - 7. "U Should Know Better" (feat. Snoop Dogg) - 8. "Indestructible (Acoustic Version)"

6th studio album by Robyn is once again a Mini-album and it's Part 2 in her "Body Talk"-trilogy. Just as Part 1 it's primarily recorded, produced and co-written by Klas Åhlund, although, the album also features Andreas Kleerup, Alexander Kronlund, and guest artist Snoop Dogg.
Stylistically, the album doesn't differ a great deal from Body Talk Pt. 1, but it feels even closer to Robyn (2005) with its equal share of dance-pop and electropop than the more electronic-founded Part 1 of the trilogy.
The album was officially promoted by the single "Hang with Me", which is found on Body Talk, Pt. 1 in an acoustic version, and this uptempo version became another major hit topping the Swedish single chart list though "only" reaching #54 in the UK. Also the album peaked at #1 in Sweden (and Denmark), and became her highest charting album on the overall Billboard 200 in the US as #41.
Despite being another top-selling victory and being positively reviewed, I don't find it quite as good as Part 1.
Yes, it may be club- and dance-orientated with a certain house and disco-influence, but it simply lacks the great hooks and twists and turns of the predecessor. To me, this was a clear step down - proving how difficult Part 1 would be to follow, although, it's no near a mediocre album. Robyn is still aeons over Madonna, Lady GaGa, P!nk and everyone else in the genre. Like Part 1 this offers music at around half an hour, clocking in just over 32 mins, which makes it difficult to file as a full-length album, and some reviewers also refer to it as part 2 of her ep trilogy. Even so, it contains more than just "Hang With Me", and it still secures high expectations to the last chapter.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, NME 4 / 5, Rolling Stone, Slant 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "Body Talk Pt. 1" (2010)

Body Talk Pt. 1, mini-album
release date: Jun. 14, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Don't Fucking Tell Me What to Do" - 2. "Fembot" (live) - 3. "Dancing on My Own" (live) - 4. "Cry When You Get Older" - 5. "Dancehall Queen" - 6. "None of Dem" (feat. Röyksopp)

5th studio album by Robyn is a Mini-album released five years after her latest original studio album not counting her modified 2007 album. Like that, this is made almost in partnership with producer and songwriter Klas Åhlund but also with Patrik Berger with whom she also worked with on her 2005 album.
The album contains 8 tracks and has a rather short running time just clocking in at 30 mins. But as the title suggests, this was promoted as her first release in a series of 3-albums-a-year-project of 2010, which made it more than an ordinary release.
The first part of the series takes off pretty much where Robyn ended, or at least in a similar direction when thinking of her hits from that album. It's dance-pop and electropop with an intensified focus on the latter, and with six fine tracks out of eight, this is a blast of a start of an ambitious project. The album introduces the implementation of re-using songs in acoustic-ordinary versions from Part 1, 2 and 3 respectively. This contains the acoustic version of "Hang With Me", which is found on Part 2 in the standard version, and likewise Part 2 contains an acoustic version of a song appearing on Part 3.
Only the single "Dancing on My Own" was officially released to promote the album, although also tracks #2 (made available in Mar. 2010), tracks #5 and #6 were released individually as digital singles only. "Dancing on My Own" topped the charts in Sweden (becoming Robyn's first number #1 national hit single), at number #2 in Denmark number #8 in the UK, and number #3 in the US (Hot Dance Club Songs Chart). Also the album topped the national albums chart list and it reached number #3 in the US for Dance / Electronic albums. Needless say, it received wide-spread acclaim.
My only regret is the short playing time, but I simply find it her so far best album release to date. A spontaneous question naturally arises as to how Part 2 couldn't but disappoint after this start, but of course it also made people pay attention and keep them hungry for more, although, in retrospect, I think it would have been optimal with a one album release - that would have been a bomb!
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Slant, The Guardian, Spin 4 / 5, Rolling Stone, NME 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "Robyn" (2007)

Robyn [International European release]
release date: 2007
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 2. "Konichiwa Bitches" - 3. "Cobrastyle" - 4. "Handle Me" - 5. "Bum Like You" - 6. "Be Mine!" - 7. "With Every Heartbeat" (with Kleerup) - 8. "Who's That Girl?" - 13. "Should Have Known" - 14. "Anytime You Like" - 15. "Jack U Off" (Bonus track)

4th studio album by Robyn released in a European / International issue by Konichiwa Records. This issue contains 15 tracks (including 1 bonus track), a much altered version of her eponymous Swedish album with a different running order and the inclusion of two major hits: "Cobrastyle" (cover, org. by Swedish band Teddybears) and "With Every Heartbeat" composed by Robyn and Swedish musician and producer (Andreas) Kleerup. It also contains "Bum Like You" and "Robotboy" in new recordings, and it's without "Tomteverkstan (Interlude)" (track #8) from the 2005 issue.
"With Every Heartbeat" became Robyn's so far first number #1 single hit in the UK, and the album peaked at number #11 in the UK. The album was modified in 2008 as it was issued for the American market, which basically is the EU-version without track #15 but with the addition of two tracks: "Dream On" and "Handle Me (RedOne Remix)". Also, in Nov. 2008 an 18 track Special Edition was made available in the EU - containing the EU version with bonus track and the two extra tracks from the American edition on the same issue plus one track from her 2002 album.
Whichever issue you get hold of, this is highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, Blender, NME, Spin 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "The Rakamonie EP" (2006) (ep)

The Rakamonie EP, ep
release date: Nov. 26, 2006
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Tracklist: 1. "Konichiwa Bitches" - 2. "Cobrastyle" - 3. "List of Demands" (Live) (feat. Jenny Wilson) - 4. "Be Mine (Ballad Version)" - 5. "Jack U Off"

1st 5 track studio ep by Robyn is like her eponymous album from 2005 produced by Klas Åhlund and as that released on her newly founded label. After the release of the original Swedish Robyn album in 2005, Robyn started featuring on releases by various UK artists and she released this ep featuring the cover song "Cobrastyle", which would later be included on the international version of her acclaimed 2005 album. The running time is only a little above 16 mins. and track #1 is here in a slightly altered version than the one on her album. "Cobrastyle", originally by Teddybears (who also produced the song here) is the recording one will find on her 2007 album. Robyn's version is quite different from the original and basically just is nicely transformed into her electropop universe. The Saul Wiliams cover "List of Demands" is a soulful live duet, which actually works pretty nicely, despite being a tight lo-fi recorded song, which seems more like a bonus track. "Be Mine" in a "Ballad Version" introduces Robyn's take on her own material by making alternate acoustic / ballad recordings of familiar uptempo Robyn hit songs, and that's another strong version. "Jack U Off" is Robyn's cover of a Prince song that would be included on her 2007 European version of Robyn, and that is like track #3 a song recorded with minimal post-production.
All in all a mighty fine ep that links the two Robyn album editions.

Robyn "Robyn" (2005)

Robyn
release date: Apr. 27, 2005
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,81]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 2. "Who's That Girl?" - 3. "Handle Me" - 5. "Be Mine!" - 9. "Konichiwa Bitches" - 10. "Bum Like You" - 12. "Should Have Known" - 13. "Anytime You Like"

4th studio album by Robyn and her first on her self-established label Konichiwa Records. After feeling the restricting record label policy interfering in her artistic work on two albums and unwilling to be promoted as a stereotype in the US, she left Jive Records in 2003. Apparently, she became inspired by the Swedish duo The Knife and its decision to release material on their own label. She paid her way out with Jive Records, with whom she had signed for before BMG took over, and in early 2005 she was able to found her own record label and ready to restart her musical career.
The self-titled album marks her biggest stylistic move. She has moved away from the contemporary r&b sound to her own mix of electropop and dance-pop with influences from hip hop and various electronic styles. Also with regards to her usual co-songwriters, she seeks out new partnerships. The most influential other artist on the album is guitarist, songwriter and producer Klas Åhlund (from the Swedish rock band Teddybears), who has co-written 8 out of 13 tracks. Alexander Kronlund has co-written two tracks, and The Knife has co-written and produced track #2.
The album was originally only released in Sweden and it had two singles accompanying the release, "Be Mine!" and "Who's That Girl", where the former peaked at #3 on the singles chart list in Sweden and reached #10 in the UK. The album completely restarts Robyn's career with positive reviews and at the 2006 Swedish Grammis Award show, "Be Mine!" won for Best Song, the album won the prize for Best Album and Robyn was awarded the prize for Best Female Artist.
Three more singles were released from the album in 2006.
Robyn is easily her so far best album to date.
Recommended.
*[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, Blender, NME, Spin 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]
*reviews of her 2007 album.

Robyn "Don't Stop the Music" (2002)

Don't Stop the Music
release date: Oct. 30, 2002
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,08]
producer: Ghost [Ulf Lindström and Johan Ekhé]
label: BMG Sweden - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Keep This Fire Burning" - 2. "Don't Stop the Music" - 3. "O Baby" - 4. "Blow My Mind" - 9. "Big City"

3rd studio album by Robyn again with producer and musical songwriter songwriter duo, Ghost, on 9 out of 12 tracks, and again with BMG, although, she left the company to have more artistic freedom and signed with Jive Records in 2001, only to realise that her new label had become a sub-label to BMG. The controversy she experienced with My Truth (1999), and the subsequent label decision not to release the album internationally, rebounds on this. The album was released in Sweden and Japan only.
Stylewise, it's Robyn as we know her from her two previous albums. The dance-pop is again at the centre of the songs, which makes this more like a natural follow-up to her '95 debut album, and she has turned down on the American r&b style and instead jumped onto the back wheel of Michael Jackson.
The album spawned the two singles #1 and #2 peaking at number #3 and #7 respectively on the Swedish singles chart list, and the album reached number #2 like the predecessor. Once again, she proves to be up front on the pop scene in Scandinavia, but the album feels as her least interesting to date. There's too much recycling, no really great songs and little originality on what turns out as a bit of an anonymous release.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Gaffa.dk 3 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "My Truth" (1999)

My Truth
release date: May 17, 1999
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,98]
producer: Lindström & Ekhé
label: BMG Sweden - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: *1. "Play" - 2. "My Only Reason" - 4. "Electric" - 6. "Main Thing" - 12. "Not on the Inside"
* The track list starts with #0 making this the 2nd song on the cd.

2nd studio album by Robyn was only released in Sweden due to conflicts about two of the songs. RCA were to make a version to be released on the American market and the record company wanted Robyn to re-record parts on the album, where Robyn speak of abortion, which was a too sensitive subject, according to RCA. Ultimately, Robyn denied to alter any of the songs and the album release was shelved.
The approach to write and produce songs for the album is like on her debut, but the biggest difference here is that My Truth is made through the aid of a long long list of musicians and technicians.
Stylistically, the album follows much in the footsteps of her debut album, although the songs are less dance-pop and not as uptempo and vivid as the predecessor. It starts out focusing on ballads in a contemporary r&b mode without the strong dance-floor pop hits. The album produced four singles of which only "Electric" made it to top 10 peaking at number #6 on the Swedish singles chart. The three other singles (#1, #2, and #6) didn't reach top 30; however, the album sold well, reaching number #2 on the national albums chart list and it secured Robyn her first Grammis in 2000 for best Female Pop / Rock Artist.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "Robyn Is Here" (1995)

Robyn Is Here [debut]
release date: Oct. 14, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,04]
producer: Ghost [aka Ulf Lindström & Johan Ekhé]
label: BMG - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 3. "You've Got That Somethin' " - 4. "Do You Know (What It Takes)" - 6. "Just Another Girlfriend" - 8. "Do You Really Want Me"

Studio album debut by Robyn (aka Robin Miriam Carlsson) with various producers, although Ghost is credited on 7 of the album's 13 tracks.
The album is a dance-pop and typical American contemporary r&b. Not as such, something I would ordinarily listen much to; however, the second single release "Do You Really Want Me" became a major hit and was played everywhere that year (the first single from the album was track #3), and also "Do You Know (What It Takes)", which was released in '96 got much airplay, so everyone knew Robyn had landed.
My only interest in this is due to her later releases, and I picked it up at a second-hand store around 2011 in order to make it a full discography of her studio albums. It's nicely produced and Robyn already here shows what a talented songwriter she is, and she initiates her formula co-writing her songs with selected songwriters / producers. Ulf Lindström and Johan Ekhé are credited as co-writers on the seven tracks they have produced like is the case for Christian Falk, and the producer-duo Anders Bagge and Harry Sommerdahl.
Most of the songs sound like echoes of American pop by Madonna and her followers, which is really not my preferred music. There's much copying and only little originality.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]