Robyn reunites with fans on ‘Honey’
Robyn’s most popular song “Dancing on My Own” is about her dancing alone in a club while her ex kisses another girl right in front of her. The fact that many of her songs, including her biggest hit, are about lonely moments proves Robyn has a way of conveying a sense of escape and euphoria through sadness by pairing it with an up-tempo beat you can’t help but dance to.
On “Honey,” her first album since 2010’s “Body Talk,” Robyn uses the same formula but gives herself room to experiment so it doesn’t feel like you’re hearing more of the same thing. All nine songs are influenced by ’90s house music, but a few are sprinkled with some R&B and ’70s disco. A nine-song album is rare these days, but “Honey” felt complete despite its short length. Robyn delivered 40 minutes of music that will feel familiar yet exciting to fans of her triumphant electro-pop.
“Missing U” opens the album, acting as a reintroduction of Robyn to the listeners. Yes, she misses the person she’s singing about, but the message also applies to those who had been waiting to hear Robyn’s voice again. The lyrics are heartbreaking (“there’s this empty space you left behind/Now you’re not here with me”), but the twinkling synth and the way she sings those lyrics make the song sound hopeful. As the first track of the album, it sets the tone for the feeling of getting lost in several of the songs that follow.
“Human Being” follows behind, starting off with an ’80s-sounding drum track but avoiding sounding like an old Madonna song. The harmonies in this one emphasize the encouraging nature of the song.
“Because It’s in the Music” is mostly disco, which is not a bad thing — but the song is pretty stagnant, which makes it less exciting than the others. On the other hand, “Baby Forgive Me” is a quiet, slow-burn song and commands attention.
“Send to Robyn Immediately” is appropriately placed in the middle of the album — it is definitely the climax of “Honey.” The steady beat of drums as Robyn sings “If you got something to say, say it right away/If you got something to do, do it right away” make it sound like a chant. This song has a darker sound than the others as well, which is nice in contrast to title track “Honey.” Robyn’s voice has the soulful tinge her fans love on “Honey,” making it sound as sweet as its lyrics.
The album loses momentum with “Between the Lines,” which features a grating keyboard throughout, making the song hard to listen to. It seems like something that would be played repeatedly in Forever 21 because of its heavy influence from rave music. In similar fashion, “Beach2k20” extends these same aspects into a five-minute song with spoken word lyrics about going to a party on the beach. I think this song may have worked as a short, one minute or so interlude, but it completely lost me as it is.
“Honey” returns to form with closer “Ever Again.” After working through the results of a bad breakup earlier in the album, Robyn accepts her heartbreak in this last song and vows to never be broken-hearted again. This track can easily apply to other hardships that a person may be going through, making it relatable as well as inspiring. If Robyn can come to terns with sadness in 40 minutes, then anyone can, right?
Stand outs: “Missing You,” “Human Being,” “Honey”
Skip: “Beach2k20”
My Rating: 4/5
Featured Image: Courtesy Facebook
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