Robyn - Honey

[VoR]

The long gestating follow-up to Body Talk is a year old this week.

I feel like it received a fairly muted reaction on Moopy at the time - I was certainly underwhelmed at first, due to the lack of obvious Robyn sadbangers. But I have to say, it's really unveiled its charms wonderfully over the past 12 months. Particularly this summer, it's great mood music for sunny days.

I'll still never forgive the bitch for not bothering to do a gig for it up north though.

 

[Sheena]

I just can't get REALLY on board with it. It's ALRIGHT, but it says something, considering how obsessed I once was, that I couldn't be bothered to watch any of the videos or listen to any of the remixes.

It has to be said, I also thought "Body Talk" was overbloated, but a fantastic 10-song album was hidden within it, but since then, her (absolutely unquestionable) genius has shone through only in patches. I really wish she could manage another seriously brilliant piece of ART...

 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaAAaaaA]

OMG this is her masterpiece, I’m still shocked by its reaction on here - it is pop perfection!

As much as I love the first three tracks, for me it really starts properly from Baby Forgive Me, and it just develops into a whole warm, sensual collection that’s actually perfect for this time of year when you want to be inside but it’s not QUITE cold enough to stick Vespertine, 50 Words For Snow, Long Gone Before Daylight et all ON REPEAT.

The live show (+ Ever Again vid) were transcendent too. I honestly believe a live album release is an essential part of her career and gay history. She REALLY NEEDS to release one. She owes it to gays in 50 years time, much like we now have a wealth of fabulosity to discover in Donna Summer’s back cat for example.

 

[ameraal]

i love it despite two minor qualms. 1) the cover artwork (i get that it's "current" but i have decided i really don't like it - there's a pill for constipation) and 2) human being and because it's in the music are the weakest tracks on there and i think having them second and third was the reason for the muted reaction to the record.

apart from that, everything else is wonderful, lush and prime robyn. honey is an 11, ever again is a 1000, the campaign has been brilliant - steadily keeping me involved with videos, amazing remixes, the (seemingly) wonderul live show etc.

it is definitely my favourite robyn album.

 

[OutSynk]

It's nice background music.

 

[monsta]

I think Honey is my favourite Robyn song ever - it’s so subtle initially but FUCK ME it just creeps up on you.

The tour (and everything attached to it including the next level merch) was just transcending. That second time I saw it at Primavera I was literally on another plane of existence.

Also so pleasantly surprised just how good some of the remixes are considering that dire remix project we were subjected to before the album.

An absolute serve and a career highlight (except for Beach2k20 obviously)

 

[Diddy]

I still haven’t gotten into it, I don’t dislike it, but there’s nothing really reeling me in.

I guess I’m on the wrong side of history (I.e. 2011). Body Talk was a real moment in time for me, and Honey just isn’t a substitute for me.

 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaAAaaaA]

I just find Honey so cocoon-like, and it’s really what i want from Robyn in 2019.

I wonder if she will ever follow it up with another album (I can see more EPs and collabs). It really sounds like producing these 9 tracks and presenting them as a body of work took a lot out of her.

 

[ameraal]

I think Honey is my favourite Robyn song ever - it’s so subtle initially but FUCK ME it just creeps up on you.

jark posted this bit on her talking about honey a short while ago: https://songexploder.net/robyn

the story behind the process, hearing her bare voice on it, it's all somehow increased my love of it even more.

 

[Pipo]

can I get some love for Beach2k20 or am I alone on this one?

 

[monsta]

jark posted this bit on her talking about honey a short while ago: https://songexploder.net/robyn

the story behind the process, hearing her bare voice on it, it's all somehow increased my love of it even more.

SAME! It’s such a great listen. It’s wild because she’s so unassuming and modest when discussing this stuff considering how insanely talented she is <3

 

[monsta]

can I get some love for Beach2k20 or am I alone on this one?

Hun the original Koopa Beach theme tune was enough!

 

[Dark Carnival]

Hi im here to rate this a 6

 

[Penelope]

Love it - as a set, it's all so ethereal.

Missing U, Send To Robin Immediately, Honey and Ever Again are career bests too. Missing U in particular gets really underrated because of how same old shit it sounds, but it's so heartbreakingly perfect as a goodbye letter to someone who's died.

 

[Kala]

This is such a MEH album. It’s ALRIGHT like Shee said but not something I would ever choose to listen to.

 

[POP!]

Probably an 8.5/10. I'll round up to a 9, as I listen to it the most of her albums.

08 Missing You
10 Human Being
09 Because It's in the Music
09 Baby Forgive Me
06 Send to Robyn Immediately
10 Honey
07 Between the Lines
06 Beach 2k20
08 Ever Again

 

[Jark]

Ever Again really crept up from behind to become the best thing on this album. It's so warm, light and cautiously hopeful.

08 Missing You
07 Human Being
10 Because It's in the Music
08 Baby Forgive Me
09 Send to Robyn Immediately
10 Honey
07 Between the Lines
07 Beach 2k20
11 Ever Again

A concise, shimmery, grown-up pop record that will stand the test of time.

 

[VoR]

I love it now, but it definitely took some time to grow on me. Very much a mood album. Play it on a lazy summer evening stroll if that kind of thing is your bag. I've been rinsing it recently.

 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaAAaaaA]

I just don't understand gays who dismiss this album.
For me, Honey is magic from beginning to end, especially after the bloated and somewhat abrasive in parts, Body Talk - which I adore also obv but I would MUCH rather listen to Honey any day of the week, and frequently do.

The live show also It REALLY needs to be released as a live album, it was a monumental pop music tour.

 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaAAaaaA]

I just don't understand gays who dismiss this album.
For me, Honey is magic from beginning to end, especially after the bloated and somewhat abrasive in parts, Body Talk - which I adore also obv but I would MUCH rather listen to Honey any day of the week, and frequently do.

The live show also It REALLY needs to be released as a live album, it was a monumental pop music tour.

Oh apparently I already said this in EXTENDED FORM a few posts up this thread /BROKENRECORD

 

[POP!]

Is no one else as fond of "Human Being" as me? "I'm a human being, so move your body closer to miiiiiine"

 

[Christian]

I absolutely adore this album. The highs aren't quite as high as some of her singles, but as a start to finish record, it's sublime and my favourite by her.

 

[Loufoque]

My favourite Robyn album by far, and the only one which makes me really understand all the fuss gays have made of her all these years.

Missing U, Send to Robin Immediately and Ever Again are just wonderful.

 

[Loufoque]

11 Missing You
09 Human Being
07 Because It's in the Music
08 Baby Forgive Me
11 Send to Robyn Immediately
10 Honey
07 Between the Lines
09 Beach 2k20
11 Ever Again

 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaAAaaaA]

Missing U really is up there with her very best now that the dust has settled. The context behind the song, combined with the euphoric rush is just really beautiful.

"This part of you
This clock that stopped
This residue
It's all I've got..."

*cries eyes out*

 

[Loufoque]

The final minute of Missing U is kind of genius: I love the way it "falls apart", with the juddering instrumental, backing vocals and top vocal line seemingly moving out-of-synch with one another. I don't know why, but it gets me every time.