Robyn Returns with "Sexistential," Unveiling a New Era of Vulnerability and Independence
Robyn, the influential alt-pop artist, has announced her new album, "Sexistential," signaling her highly anticipated return to music eight years after her acclaimed release, "Honey." This new work emerges from a period of profound personal transformation, including the end of a significant relationship, the journey of single motherhood to her three-year-old son, Tyko, conceived through IVF, and a deep reflection on her formative experiences within the music industry.
She expressed that "Sexistential" is a raw exploration of vulnerability, and she is eager to resume her musical career as a parent, embracing both the unique challenges and newfound freedoms this role presents.
A Legacy of Influence and an Unforeseen Hiatus
Robyn's impact on the music industry is widely recognized. She successfully transitioned from a major label teen artist to an independent label owner, inspiring a generation of musicians including Gracie Abrams, Lorde, Charli xcx, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Harry Styles. Her signature synth-driven beats and poignant themes of heartbreak are deeply woven into millennial culture, featuring prominently in media like Lena Dunham's "Girls." A recent joint performance with Charli xcx at London's O2 Arena underscored her enduring appeal across diverse audiences.
Her break from music was partly unforeseen. Following the "Honey" tour and the dissolution of her relationship, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed any new musical projects.
The IVF Journey and Redefining Motherhood
During this hiatus, Robyn embarked on an IVF journey in Sweden, having previously frozen eggs in the United States. She had always desired parenthood but found reconciling this aspiration with conventional heterosexual relationships challenging, ultimately opting for single motherhood.
She described the IVF process as a "rollercoaster," prompting a deep examination of her identity. Initially, she grappled with feelings of failure for not conceiving within a stable partnership and deliberated on the absence of a male role model for her child.
Robyn acknowledged the inherent demands of single parenthood, influenced by her own upbringing with a single mother who faced difficulties. She characterized IVF as an intense yet privileged experience.
Simultaneously with her IVF treatments, Robyn engaged in dating. She observed that separating the objectives of having children and pursuing a relationship made dating, including casual encounters during pregnancy, a more enjoyable experience due to reduced emotional stakes. She also noted the significant physical impact of IVF, which could sometimes preclude sexual activity and caused her body to feel mechanized.
"Sexistential": An Album Forged from Personal Narratives
The album "Sexistential" powerfully integrates these personal narratives, featuring urgent synths, dance-inspired beats, and lyrics that explore themes of loneliness, heartbreak, sensuality, and liberation. She cited Prince and the experimental band Suicide as key influences during her writing process.
Unlike her album "Honey," which aimed to diverge from her perceived public image as a "broken-hearted character," "Sexistential" boldly re-embraces this archetype, framing it as a source of strength.
Navigating the Early Music Industry: An "Unidentified Flying Object"
Robyn's early life saw her touring Sweden with her parents' experimental theatre group. Discovered at just 14, she signed with Jive Records, quickly achieving international success and touring with iconic artists like Tina Turner, the Spice Girls, Destiny's Child, and 'NSync.
She vividly recalled feeling isolated and like an "unidentified flying object" in the industry during her youth, leading her to disengage from that environment.
While she did not experience abuse, she encountered a "disgusting" industry culture characterized by inappropriate language and expectations regarding her body and sexuality. This experience prompted her to develop protective mechanisms and avoid exploring her own sensuality. She recounted instances where older male colleagues pressured her to display "youthfulness," interpreted as showing "more skin." A 2003 article even referred to her record label as "Sweden's Lolita-pop doll house." Years of psychotherapy were required to process the profound impact of her experiences from that decade.
Forging Independence and Redefining Success
Her second album, "My Truth" (1999), included "Giving You Back," a song about abortion, which was notably not released in America. This decision, combined with her album's less commercially oriented sound, cemented her perception as a challenging artist.
She successfully negotiated her release from her final contract in 2005, forfeiting royalties, a decision she remains profoundly grateful for. Robyn drew a contrast between her career trajectory and that of Britney Spears, for whom she had recorded demo vocals for "Piece of Me," attributing her different path partly to her family's disinterest in her career. Her initial artist contract offered only a 6% royalty rate, significantly lower than contemporary averages.
Robyn now operates her own label, Konichiwa Records, holding writing credits for every song on "Sexistential" and production credits for most tracks, often collaborating with Klas Åhlund. She perceives the current landscape for women in pop music as more diverse and expressive but maintains a critical distance from "commercial pop culture," not considering major female artists as her direct peers. She relies on a strong support network of Swedish musicians and her close friend Charli xcx.
Motherhood, Aging, and the Road Ahead
Regarding aging, Robyn firmly stated that her age does not define her. She acknowledges the societal pressure to maintain a youthful appearance but noted a perceived "man desert" for older women, expressing a desire for partners who appreciate and are curious about women over 40.
She emphasized that becoming a mother involved profound shifts in her existence, leading her to prioritize stability in relationships. She described raising her son alone as a "punky" act and appreciated not having to navigate another person's involvement during the demanding first year of motherhood. She took two years away from music after Tyko's birth to foster their connection.
Tyko is scheduled to accompany her on her upcoming European tour, echoing her own childhood experiences on a tour bus. She views balancing motherhood and pop stardom as a luxurious juggle, allowing her to experience both aspects of her life fully. Robyn expressed deep anticipation for her tour, emphasizing that her songwriting process is always oriented towards live performance and the immersive experience she aims to create for her audience.