"Body Talk Pt 2"
![Robyn – Body Talk Pt 2](https://bestfitproxy.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.thelineofbestfit.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F09%2Frobyn_pt2_artwork.jpg?q=90&w=750&auto=format&s=5f6df24d5ae778b19433c35685f5f83e)
It’s hard to believe that Swedish pop star Robyn has already enjoyed a career that spans three decades. Born Robin Carlsson, she took her first few steps towards international stardom in 1997 with debut Robyn Is Here. The album rocked the core of her country’s scene, and included a song that earned her a pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, but it wasn’t until 2005’s Robyn that the British media finally paid the then 26-year-old the attention her music deserves. Her refreshingly creative and progressive attitude towards song writing has also gained her mainstream and underground fans alike.
At the beginning of 2010, Robyn announced plans to release no less than three new albums within the year – enough to make any multi-genre fan squeal with delight, and any realist bulk with apprehension. Where June’s Body Talk Pt 1 pays homage to bittersweet emotion, angst and fusion, September’s Body Talk Pt 2 targets the drilled dance-floor last visited on songs like ‘Crash And Burn Girl’ and ‘Be Mine!’
Some of the results are incredible. ‘In My Eyes’, one of the strongest tracks available, opens with glittering chords, soaring synth and reverb vocals that instantly suggest something more disco-friendly than any of her previous material – a notion that ‘Hang With Me’ confirms. The final track, an acoustic rendition of ‘Indestructible’, portrays Robyn’s raw talent with extraordinary flourish.
Unfortunately the album is not without its flaws. Tracks like ‘Include Me Out’ and ‘U Should Know Better’ try too hard to repeat the interlude narrative of Robyn; the first regains itself after an initial blunder and blossoms into dub inspired pop, but the latter isn’t even saved by a guest appearance from Snoop Dogg, and rips off Robyn’s cover of Teddybear’s ‘Cobrastyle’ horribly.
Neither is this album something to reach out for in times of poetic need, or just mediocre wisdom. Granted, prophetic ramblings were never likely, but dissect Body Talk Pt 2 and all you get is a mess of words. While Robyn and Body Talk Pt 1 found a sturdy fall back in their killer melodies and infectious tunes, this fails to hit the mark – ‘We Dance To the Beat’ sounds like a Ministry cast off; ‘Criminal Intent’ could have been written and performed by anyone within the industry.
With all of this in mind, ultimately I can’t hide a winkling of disappointment. Inevitably any musician will find it hard to come up with three stellar and unchallengeable releases within a year, but I’d rather hoped Robyn would prove herself the indestructible force ‘Curriculum Vitae’ announces her to be. In truth, although the first half of Body Talk Pt 2 has me waving my hairbrush for more, some of the songs that follow find me hitting the skip button.
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