‘Robyn’ Articles at Rock Torch

Sarah Jaffe carries a torch for Robyn

November 1, 2010 by admin

Sarah Jaffe and Robyn

Sarah Jaffe’s recommendation: “For the past year I’ve been listening to more current music than anything. I think overall I’ve listened to Robyn more than anyone else. For the past couple years the records she has put out never tire with me. I remember hearing Bum like You for the first time and I had it on repeat for about a month. She had also collaborated with Royksopp on a few tracks that I flipped out over. I think mainly, she’s just a bad ass. There is so much energy in her melodies. I’ve yet to see her live, but I YouTube the hell out of her.”

New to The Robyn? Sarah recommends you start here: “I know Body Talk Pt 1 and Body Talk Pt 2 were released separately, but I think they both have some killer tracks that are worth being on repeat. Choosing between the two of them, Iâ€™d have to say Body Talk Pt 2. It didn’t get the best reviews, which is dumb. It’s a great record.”

Related: Eric Zeiler of Xylos and Ryan McPhun of Ruby Suns also carry a torch for Robyn.

About our guest author, Sarah Jaffe: Hailing from Denton, Texas, Sarah Jaffe first got the attention of the music world when she self-released an EP and cleaned house at the Dallas Observer Music Awards in 2008. Since then, she’s completed her full length album, Suburban Nature and has been collecting praise from the best and brightest in the biz, from USA Today (“…best thing I heardâ€¦”) to NPR (“…Jaffeâ€™s immensely promising career is just getting started…”). Stylistically she has a mellow sound and her lyrics are downright revealing and heartbreaking. She’s toured with Norah Jones and Lou Barlow and her road show continues to roll through December.

Eric Zeiler of Xylos carries a torch for Robyn

July 16, 2010 by admin

Eric Zeiler and Robyn

Eric Zeiler’s recommendation: “Though it may be an obvious choice, the new Robyn record has really moved me the past few weeks since I first heard it. I’m impressed by the production primarily. As I’ve dug deeper into the nuances of pop music, I’ve found myself most affected by really simple, subtle, elegant production.”

New to Robyn? Eric suggests you start here: On the track “Dancing on my Own” (on Body Talk Pt. 1), you can count the number of instruments in the track (it’s not that many). Every tone that’s introduced is there for a reason, and provides a serious impact. For example, the electronic percussion sound that comes in at 0:38. Super simple, but really powerful. I’ve always subscribed (mostly unconsciously) to the “more is more” philosophy when producing music, but it’s been inspiring lately for me to work to wriggle out emotional power from simplicity. Robyn does that really well.”

Robyn ‘Dancing On My Own’ (Official Video) from Robyn on Vimeo.

About the guest author, Eric Zeiler: The way it is explained in the Examiner interview, Eric Zeiler decided to pass on his acceptance to the Columbia MBA program. Instead he sat down and cranked out a harmony filled pop masterpiece, the five song Bedrooms EP. Outstanding reviews rolled in and an appearance on MTV’s Iggy show followed. Eric recruited more Xylos members and is now hard at work on the band’s first full length album. They’re cool enough to make a song from their sessions available (see below). Be sure to check the Xylos site for information about their upcoming release.

MP3: Not Enough from the upcoming Xylos release.

Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns carries a torch for Robyn

June 14, 2010 by admin

Ryan McPhun and Robyn

Ryan McPhun’s recommendation: “I’m currently really excited about the new Robyn ep/album. The two singles (“Dancing On My Own”, and “Fembot”) are incredible and I can’t stop listening to them.”

New to Robyn? Ryan suggests you start here: “The new album is called Body Talk Pt 1. The two tracks above are what I’d recommend. I guess most people would be familiar with her track “With Every Heartbeat” from a couple of years ago. I love that song too and was obsessed with it when I first heard it.”

About the guest author, Ryan McPhun: Sub Pop’s press release describes Ryan as “… the kind of voracious musical mind that cites as equal influences â€˜80s New Jack Swing and modern Angolan kuduro, Fleetwood Mac and Britney Spears, Brazilian tropicalia and Argentinean cumbia.” Sounds challenging, but it actually goes down quite easy. Give the “Closet Astrologer” mp3 a listen below from the Ruby Suns latest release Fight Softly and be sure to check their MySpace page for full tour information.

MP3: Closet Astrologer by The Ruby Suns