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It was at a long-standing New York soiree last May that Robyn resurfaced.
Her fans greeted her like a long-lost astronaut returning from a lonely space station.
She could grow into herself with grace and self-conviction.
Spearss brand of sex appeal is designed for straight men by straight men.
Robyns self-mastery as a business woman bleeds into her creations, connoting a far more liberated persona.
She is a pop star who finds the extraordinary in our everyday reality, therefore she rejects the fantasy.
She also dismisses the doled-out tropes about pops god-given powers.
Music doesnt change the world, she told NPR last year.
But I think music gives people a break, where they can recharge and then maybe change themselves.
On Friday night, Robyn opened her U.S. tour at the Palladium in LA.
An urge just shy of hysteria wafted in the corridors before the show.
The lines for the mens rooms far outgrew the womens.
Were all coming home tonight, said one fan to another before the lights finally went down.
She played eight of the nine tracks offHoney.
It wasnt the album her fans had expected last year.
Instead,Honeyopted for the freedom of club music.
(You never were and you never will be mine!
she celebrates on Be Mine!
making a virtue of unrequited affection because what else to do?
It was made for the dance floors upon which her fans kept her safe while she was gone.
Robyns had a beautiful call-and-response career arc, one that makes for a uniquely intensified community.
Her current live set writes a new love story about evergreen desire.
Her seduction isnt about flashing skin, but building a carnal house-music tempo.
The stage is dressed like a cloud, tall and bright.
Robyns voice tickles the bass line, baiting the crowd to come get your honey.
The Robyn of yore performed like a kickboxer sparring with her punch bag.
And in that softness, she hits much harder.
Its difficult to explain the emotional catharsis that comes with this show.
Women lift each other up physically for that cherished split second.
Club music requires a different ear.
These numbers dont anticipate their choruss climactic refrain.
Theyre about being present with yourself, being okay with the idea of right now.
The crowds elation at the kick of every song has ensured smiles through each ones individual devastation.
On Missing U, however, theres a palatable sorrow thats never alleviated.
Such are the fruits of extraordinary patience.
