Robyn

In the three years since Robyn Carlsson first released her widely acclaimed self-titled comeback album, she’s gone from slightly memorable one-hit-wonder to one of pop music’s most innovative stars. Having phenomenal success last year in the UK, Robyn is now primed for world domination with the long overdue North American release of Robyn. Using the same tracklisting as the UK edition (which is only slightly different from the original Swedish one), Robyn comes out blazin’, listing her impressive superhero CV before bursting into bubblegum hip-pop banger "Konichiwa Bitches,” proudly strutting her "all natural” figure while spittin’ from a car trunk. With more confidence and tongue-in-cheek bravado than both the G-Unit and Wu-Tang combined, the spunky Swede certainly knows how to write a pop album, balancing hi-energy dance tracks with well-rounded, emotive numbers. The Knife’s bouncy castle beats give her a soaring boost in the interrogating "Who’s That Girl,” while hyper rim shots and feverish strings feed the drama of perfect single "Be Mine.” "With Every Heartbeat” is an obvious standout, showcasing her penchant for emotional climaxes, which is complemented by the unexpected, nonchalant F-bomb drops in the regretful "Should Have Known.” While artists like Madonna and Gwen Stefani look to others to reinvent themselves, Robyn re-enters our pop market in full effect with integrity, an imagination and the strongest dance-oriented pop record in recent years.