And Speaking of Sweden…

Once in a while I’ll go outside of the usual stuff that I cover here and mention some music that’s really caught my attention.  And, it’s not unlikely that I’ll mention something in the area of straightforward northern/western electronic pop music.  I have a weakness for this kind of music, especially when it’s done with some intelligence, innovation, and heart.  And so, that Swedish pop star named Robyn is definitely gettting up there in my mind.

I can’t get one of her songs out of my mind.  It’s called “With Every Heartbeat,” and it’s got a great video to go with it (see below).  I first learned about this video through Bastard Logic less than two weeks ago.  (And yes, I know that it’s probably a little late for me to first be discovering this, but I do discover some things late, trapped as I am in my own particular musical obsessions these days.)  Now, the first thing I noticed was that this piece had some fantastic electronics blending with very sweet violins and probably very skillful production, thanks to the collaborator/producer named Kleerup.  And I noticed how beautifully Robyn is singing now (as someone pointed out, she’s starting to sound a little like Kate Bush, oddly enough).  I also noticed Robyn’s catchy visual style, this punk-like androgyny that reminds me of a few girls I’ve met over the past 30 years, but which still is quite all her own, breaking a lot of gender-based conventions but at the same time allowing her to look positively gorgeous sometimes.  And I admit, I’m not immune to such stylistic flashiness, nor am I completely closed to something that really is accessible enough commercially to reach number 1 status, at least in the UK. 

…Although the lyrics, as far as I’m concerned, are kind of boring, since this is just another one of those big heartbreak songs, such over-familiar subject matter that should really occupy a much smaller place in pop music than it does, considering everything else going on in the world today.  But there are some nice phrases in this song, especially the way they’re sung and blended in with the beat.  (I mean, how can you hear this song and not end up chanting to yourself hours later, “It, it hurts with every heartbeat…”?  And what a thought – ouch!) 

So, anyway, I fully support the continued success of Robyn’s biggest hit:

And by the way, thanks to Brooklyn Vegan for linking us to a very nice remix of that song (the “Punks Jump Up Remix” ).  Thanks to that blog post also for showing another video of hers, which I kind of like – less for the song, I admit (I don’t think this song, “Be Mine,” is nearly as good as “With Every Heartbeat”), than for the video itself… 

I particularly like the scene in the Kebab Kebab place (maybe Robyn does have some connection to the rest of this blog after all).  I have no idea where this place is (maybe somewhere in Sweden?), but it reminds me of at least one place I know of in Jackson Heights, and I particularly like the fact that they’re showing those wonderful Ayran yogurt drinks – which also happen to perfectly match Robyn’s hair.   (Coincidentally, I’m  drinking the same drink right now, although this one is labeled according to the brand name, Karoun’s.  I buy it regularly at the supermarket on 37th Avenue and 75th Street.  I am positively addicted to this stuff.) 

Now, I don’t actually go to the kebab place in Jackson Heights all that often, but I think I would if I thought I might run into Robyn there…

P.S.  Robyn will be playing in New York City, at the Highline Ballroom, on February 5.  I would like to see her there.  I’m not going to rush like a lunatic to get tickets for this the way I did for M.I.A. at Terminal 5, but if I could somehow pick up a ticket or two soon (assuming they haven’t sold out already), that would be nice.

P.P.S. [Two days later]:  I learned the video for “Be Mine” was directed by Max Vitali, who’s semi-famous in his own right.  OK, that’s why the video is kind of interesting (and I guess Max also likes those Ayran drinks).