Swedish pop star Robyn has released a new single featuring fellow Swedish singer Zhala entitled “Human Being,” as part of the Adult Swim Singles program. This track was released in anticipation for the singer’s next album Honey, that is set to be released tomorrow.
“Human Being” discusses both of the vocalists yearning for a personal connection with lyrics that plead “Where to go/ The streets are so cold,” and “Stay in my arms/ Dance with me.” This is backed by a dark, electronic based instrumentation with a strong club vibe permeating throughout the track, creating a paradoxical tone between the lyrics and music.
While Robnyn has been active since the 1990s, the singer has not released a full studio album for over eight years, with 2010’s Body Talk. Her new album Honey will include the track “Missing U,” that served as a love letter for fans during her long hiatus and an updated version of the self-titled track, which appeared back in 2017 as part of the HBO show Girls.
The singer made this statement regarding the album:
“This sweet place, like a very soft ecstasy. Something that’s so sensual, and so good. I danced a lot when I was making it. I found a sensuality and a softness that I don’t think I was able to use in the same way before. Everything just became softer.”
Robyn described this project and her connection with club culture during an interview with the New York Times in September. Regarding the title track the singer explained “It’s not produced or written as a normal pop song. It is totally based on this idea of club music.”
She went on to explain that there were differences between traditional pop music and club music. “When you’re listening to club music, there’s no reward. The reward isn’t, ‘Oh, here’s the chorus, here’s the lyric that makes sense.’ You have to enjoy what it is. You have to enjoy that there’s no conclusion.”
In addition to describing the future project’s connection to club music, the singer discussed her own personal experiences with clubs. She cited numerous artists from the experimental pop star Kate Bush to Michael Jackson as her influences.
“Club music taught me so much about myself. Having patience, or appreciating a different type of way of taking in life. That to me is like, what Off the Wall is. Or ‘I Feel Love’ or ‘Rock Your Baby’ with George McCrae. It’s a hypnotic thing. Time stops, and I don’t even think about where I am when I hear music like that. That’s the high that I want. That’s what I need.”
Prior to this interview the singer described her project and its construction with fans on social media. She discussed this project as a “personal album,” that she hopes fans can embrace.
“I’m on the set for my first music video for this album and I just wanted to tell you in person it’s going to be out really soon,” the singer explained in a social media post “It’s a personal album and there’s so many things that have happened throughout making it that it’s really just hard for me to explain it in one go. I think the best way is maybe for you to listen to it but, I’m so happy it’s finally done.”
Leave a Comment