Robyn

The Age

Friday October 5, 2007

Larissa Dubecki

Robyn

Robyn

(Modular) 3/5

Blonde Swedish pop star. Four words guaranteed to generate apprehension among a good proportion of the album-buying public but one on the whole transcended by the teenage Britney Spears clone who had a minor hit in 1998. Nine years, a UN ambassadorship and a serious reinvention later, the now 28-year-old is making a push beyond the Scandinavian market with an electro-pop-R&B hybrid sound more like a minimalistic Gwen than full-blown Britney. Respected Sydney label Modular is responsible for the local release of her eponymous album bursting at the seams with breezy, three-minute confections. Her British number one single With Every Heartbeat is lushly orchestrated emotional electro-pop in which Robyn does her best Kate Bush impersonation all set to a pulsing score. Who's That Girl shows the collaborative influence of edgy electro compatriots the Knife but the thematic obviousness of Robotboy, set to a plodding beat, is embarrassing. When not trying to be sugar-sweet, the lady does put-downs well: kudos to Handle Me's "You're a selfish narcissistic psycho freaking boot-licking Nazi creep."

© 2007 The Age

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