By Caitlyn Holroyd
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I’ve pretty much grown up with Swedish pop sensation Robyn. I converted many-a-friend into fans back in grade 5 after I bought her debut album Robyn Is Here and insisted on playing it non-stop in just about every setting. Now, 15 years later, Robyn is still pumping out hits; her most recent endeavor being Pt. 2 in her series of Body Talk albums.
While Pt. 1 had its high points with “Dancing On My Own” and “Dancehall Queen,” Pt. 2 is a more cohesive, fast-paced, clubbier album – basically, it’s more conducive to 4 a.m. dance parties than its predecessor.
Opening track “In My Eyes” oozes comfort with lines like “The sun’s gonna shine on all of us, we’re all the same – stardust and stuff” overtop bouncy synths. “Include Me Out” is one of my favourites, probably because it’s the perfect mix between classic Robyn and new, futuristic Robyn. In its Pt. 2 version, “Hang With Me” has transformed from acoustic ballad to a dance floor classic while somehow keeping all of the emotion intact. Another album highlight is the collaboration with Snoop Dogg on “U Should Know Better” wherein the duo battle it out with sweet rhymes. It’s a tough call, but I think Robyn takes it with the line “You know when in Rome I sat down with the Romans, said we need a black Pope and she’d better be a woman.” The ending song “Indestructible” is a mix of orchestra music and raw vocal and is best described as epic.
Clearly, the Body Talk series are leading up to something amazing and I can’t wait to see what it is. Either way, Pt. 2 will keep you plenty occupied and dancin’ until this happens.