Robyn (album)

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Robyn
Robyn cover
Studio album by Robyn
Released Flag of Sweden April 27, 2005
Flag of the United Kingdom April 2, 2007
Flag of the United Kingdom August 13, 2007 (reissue)
Flag of Australia October 6, 2007
Flag of the United States April 29, 2008[1]
Recorded 2005 - 2007
Genre Pop, Electronica
Length 38:20 (Swedish edition)
42:10 (International edition)
Label Konichiwa/Interscope/Cherrytree
Producer Robyn, Klas Åhlund, Andreas Kleerup, The Knife, Alexander Kronlund
Professional reviews
Robyn chronology
Don't Stop the Music
(2002)		 Robyn
(2005)		 The Rakamonie EP
(2006)
The Rakamonie EP
(2006)
Robyn (UK edition)
(2007)
Alternate cover
Original Swedish cover art
Original Swedish cover art
US Release cover art
US Release cover art
Singles from Robyn
  1. "Be Mine!"
    Released: March 30, 2005
  2. "Who's That Girl"
    Released: June 29, 2005
  3. "Handle Me"
    Released: 2005
  4. "Crash and Burn Girl"
    Released: 2005
Singles from Robyn (International Edition)
  1. "With Every Heartbeat"
    Released: January 17, 2007
  2. "Konichiwa Bitches"
    Released: March 26, 2007
  3. "Handle Me"
    Released: October 26, 2007
  4. "Be Mine!"
    Released: January 14, 2008
  5. "Who's That Girl"
    Released: April 21, 2008
Singles from Robyn (U.S Edition)
  1. "With Every Heartbeat"
    Released: January 29, 2008
  2. "Handle Me"
    Released: April 1, 2008

Robyn is the fourth album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on April 27, 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic-dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band Teddybears.[2] It also marks Robyn's first album release on her own record label, Konichiwa Records, which she founded in 2005.[2]

Contents

[edit] Background

In 2003, Robyn left her record label, Jive Records, because of the lack of artistic control offered to her by the label. The previous year she had released her third album, Don't Stop the Music, but felt disillusioned by the label's attempt to market her as the next Christina Aguilera in the United States. Robyn described the album as a "big compromise" and was upset because she "was going backwards" and not "doing what [she] wanted to".[2]

That same year, Robyn returned home to Sweden and discovered the electronic music brother and sister duo The Knife while browsing through a record store. She became inspired by how the duo self-financed and released their recordings and bought herself out of her recording contract with Jive Records. She was free from her contract, but did not want to sign with another major label because she felt that "it was totally illogical. Why would I do that? I felt like either I quit making music or I start my own record company".[2] Six months after leaving Jive Records, Robyn founded her own record label Konichiwa Records and began recording songs for her fourth album.[3]

[edit] Critical response

Robyn received positive reviews from pop music critics. In a review for All Music Guide, John Lucas called Robyn "one of the finest pop albums of the decade".[4] Stylus Magazine reviewer Jessica Popper wrote that the album "manages to combine several of the currently popular music genres whilst still making a perfect pop album. It's one of the few Europop albums that not only deserves worldwide domination, but also has a really good chance of achieving it".[5] Jaime Gill of Yahoo! Music described the album as "playful, self-effacing and sassy, and very very female" and named "Be Mine!" as its best song.[6]

In a review for the Manchester Evening News, Paul Taylor described the album as "undeniably sexy" and called Robyn "a mini-Madonna in the making".[7] Larissa Dubecki of The Age wrote that the album is "bursting at the seams with breezy, three-minute confections", but describe songs such as "Robotboy" as "embarrassing".[8] Pitchfork Media reviewer Jess Harvell wrote that Robyn's "pop fun is a bit knowing--she's 26 after all. But trust the Swedes. They know what they're doing with this sort of thing."[9] The website also named Robyn one of the best albums of 2005.[10] Since mid-2007 Robyn has received heavy play on Maximum Shine's themed radio show "Music Fo' Grown Fo'ks" at WKDU in Philadelphia (rarely has Robyn been off the "Music Fo' Grown Fo'ks" weekly top ten for the last several months).

Upon its release in the United States in early 2008, the album received nearly unanimous rave reviews from many respected American publications. Entertainment Weekly gave it an A refering to the album as "hooky dance-pop greatness" [11]. Billboard praised the album of "sassy and sweet dance pop gems." [12]

[edit] Release

Robyn debuted on the Swedish albums chart at number one, and became Robyn's first number one album release.[13] The album remained on the chart for thirty-six weeks, and was certified platinum in 2006.[14] The album reached the number thirty-five in Norway, and remained on the albums chart for one week.[15] Although the album charted only in Sweden and Norway, in May 2005, it reached number sixty on the European Top 100 albums chart.[16]

The album became Robyn's first release to chart on the UK Albums Chart, where it debuted at number twenty on August 20, 2007.[17] The following week the album peaked at number nineteen.[citation needed] On January 13, 2008, the album re-entered the top forty at number eighteen, then climbed to number eleven three weeks later.[18] In January 2008, Robyn was certified gold in the UK.[19]

In 2006, Robyn was certified platinum, and has sold over 40,000 copies in Sweden.[14]

In 2007, Robyn signed a North American distribution deal with Interscope Records.[20] She was asked by Interscope to include a rapper on the album to highlight its hip hop elements. In an interview with Metro International, Robyn said she understood why the label wants her to include a rapper, but does not want to "work with Akon or some other lame rapper. I want to work with someone who's gangsta, like Snoop or Method Man".[21]

On April 29th, 2008, Robyn was finally released in North America and debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #100[22], with 7,000 copies sold[23]. Unfortunately, the next week it completely fell off the chart.[24]

[edit] Singles

"Be Mine!", the album's first single release in Sweden, reached number three and spent nineteen weeks on the singles chart.[25] The song received positive reviews from critics, and was named the fourth best song of 2005 by Stylus Magazine.[26] The second single, "Who's That Girl?", reached number thirty-seven in Sweden.[citation needed] Its lyrics discuss the feelings of a female who had been left beaten by the unpredictably of gender and image politics.[2] The songs "Handle Me" and "Crash and Burn Girl" were released as radio-only promotional singles in Sweden and were accompanied by music videos that featured Robyn dancing in a nightclub.

The album's lead single in the United Kingdom, "Konichiwa Bitches", received positive reviews from critics due to its "hip-hop sensibilities" and ability to illustrate "the zeal [Robyn] takes in making music".[27] The song received limited airplay and reached number ninety-eight in the UK.[citation needed] "With Every Heartbeat", a collaboration with Kleerup, was released as the second single in the UK. It reached number one and became Robyn's most successful single release in the UK. The album's third UK single, "Handle Me", backed by remixes by Soul Seekerz, reached number seventeen. "Be Mine!" was released as the album's fourth single on January 14, 2008.[28] and reached number ten.[29] "Who's That Girl" was the fifth UK single released from the album on April 28, 2008 and reached #26.

The lead single from the album in the United States, "With Every Heartbeat", was released January 29, 2008 as a digital download only. It was serviced to dance clubs and dj's and eventually reached #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart, as well as #12 on the Hot Dance Airplay chart. The second U.S single is currently "Handle Me", which was released on April 1, 2008 and has reached #49 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart and #4 on the Hot Dance Airplay chart.

[edit] Track listing

All tracks were written and composed by Robyn and Klas Åhlund, except where noted.

Swedish edition
  1. "Curriculum Vitae" featuring Swingfly - 1:53
  2. "Who's That Girl?" (Robyn, Alexander Kronlund, Karin Dreijer Andersson, Olof Dreijer) - 3:47
  3. "Handle Me" (Klas Åhlund) - 3:47
  4. "Robotboy" (Klas Åhlund, Joakim Åhlund) - 3:31
  5. "Be Mine!" - 3:27
  6. "Bionic Woman" - 0:16
  7. "Crash and Burn Girl" - 3:35
  8. "Tomteverkstan" - 0:17
  9. "Konichiwa Bitches" - 2:37
  10. "Bum Like You" - 3:42
  11. "Eclipse" (Klas Åhlund) - 3:29
  12. "Should Have Known" (Robyn, Alexander Kronlund) - 3:59
  13. "Anytime You Like" (Robyn, Johan Lijedahl, Patrik Berger) - 3:52
International edition
  1. "Curriculum Vitae" featuring Swingfly - 1:53
  2. "Konichiwa Bitches" - 2:37
  3. "Cobrastyle" (David Parker, Ewart Brown, Fabian Torsson, Joakim Åhlund, Klas Åhlund, Patrick Arve, Sylvia Robinson, Troy Rami) - 4:10
  4. "Handle Me" - 3:47
  5. "Bum Like You" - 3:28
  6. "Be Mine!" - 3:27
  7. "With Every Heartbeat" with Kleerup (Robyn, Andreas Kleerup) - 4:13
  8. "Who's That Girl" - 3:47
  9. "Bionic Woman" - 0:16
  10. "Crash and Burn Girl" - 3:35
  11. "Robotboy" - 3:31
  12. "Eclipse" - 3:29
  13. "Should Have Known" - 3:59
  14. "Anytime You Like" - 3:52 (mislabeled as "Anything You Like" on the back of the UK CD)
  15. "Jack U Off" (Prince) - 2:15 (UK bonus track)
    US edition
  16. "Dream On" (Klas Åhlund) - 3:16
  17. "Handle Me (RedOne Remix)" - 4:09
  18. "Bum Like You" - 3.39 (Alt. Version) (iTunes bonus track)

[edit] Personnel

The following people contributed to Robyn:[30][31]

  • Robyn - lead vocals, backing vocals, drums, mixing
  • Björn Yttling - piano
  • Georg Riedel - double bass
  • Örjan Högberg, Johanna Tafvelin, Karin Liljenberg - violin
  • Malin Ny-Nilsson, Ida Nyman - viola
  • Mattias Helldén, Cecilia Linné - cello
  • Frippe Jonsäter, Ljunligan - special effects
  • Klas Åhlund - string arrangements, mixing
  • Joakim Milder - string arrangements
  • Björn Engelmann - mastering
  • Andreas Kleerup, Linus Larsson, Henrik, Erik Wikström, Ollie, Christoffer Berg, Patrik Berger, Johan Liljedahl, Fabian "Phat Fabe" Torsson, Janne Hansson, Michael Ilbert - mixing
  • Cass Bird, Frederik Skogkvist - photography

[edit] Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position		 Certification Sales
Norwegian Albums Chart[32] 35
Swedish Albums Chart[32] 1 Platinum 65,000+
Chart (2007) Peak
position		 Certification Sales
UK Albums Chart[33] 11 Gold[34] 215,000+
Chart (2008) Peak
position		 Certification Sales
Billboard 200[35] 100 8,000[36]
Canadian Albums Chart[37] 29

[edit] References

  1. ^ Robyn:Album:Robyn. Robyn.com. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e David McNamee. "Biography". Robyn.com. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  3. ^ Lennat Mak. "Robyn: Say Konichiwa!". MTV Asia. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  4. ^ John Lucas. "Robyn (2007) > Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  5. ^ Jessica Popper. "Robyn Review". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  6. ^ Jaime Gill. "Yahoo! Music Album Review - Robyn". Yahoo! Music. August 31, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  7. ^ Paul Taylor. "Album Reviews - Robyn". Manchester Evening News. August 23, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  8. ^ Larissa Dubecki. "Album Reviews - Robyn". The Age. October 4, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  9. ^ Jess Harvell. "Robyn: Pitchfork Record Review". Pitchfork Media. December 31, 2006. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  10. ^ David Raposa. "Top 50 Albums of 2005". Pitchfork Media. December 31, 2006. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  11. ^ Robyn | Music Review | Entertainment Weekly
  12. ^ Robyn
  13. ^ "Robyn - Robyn Album". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "2006 Gold and Platinum Records". IFPI Sweden. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  15. ^ "Robyn - Robyn Album". NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
  16. ^ "European Top 100 Albums (Week of May 21 2005)". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
  17. ^ "UK Albums Top 75 (Monday August 20th, 2007)". aCharts.us. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
  18. ^ "The UK Top 40 Albums (January 13, 2008)". BBC. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
  19. ^ "Robyn British Certification". British Phonographic Industry. December 14, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  20. ^ Caulfield, Keith. "Ask Billboard". Billboard.com. January 18, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
  21. ^ "Robyn tillbaka i USA på egna villkor". Metro International. February 26, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
  22. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i592760732d99aa5adffd2054f7eb252e US Billboard 200 Charts info
  23. ^ Madonna's the Queen of Charts
  24. ^ Billboard.BIZ
  25. ^ "Robyn - Be Mine!". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  26. ^ Southall, Nick. "Top 50 Singles of 2005". Stylus Magazine. December 5, 2005. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  27. ^ Deusner, Stephen M.. "Robyn -The Rakamonie EP Pitchfork Album Review". Pitchfork Media. December 1, 2006. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  28. ^ "Release: Be Mine!". Robyn.com. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  29. ^ "Be Mine! World Chart Positions". Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  30. ^ "Robyn (Swedish CD, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  31. ^ "Robyn (UK CD, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  32. ^ a b Robyn. aCharts.us. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  33. ^ Robyn. ChartStats.com.
  34. ^ Robyn. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2008-04-22.
  35. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i592760732d99aa5adffd2054f7eb252e US Billboard 200 Charts info
  36. ^ Madonna's the Queen of Charts
  37. ^ CANOE - JAM! Music SoundScan Charts

[edit] External links


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