Robyn Returns: A Candid Interview on Motherhood and Music
After an eight-year hiatus, Swedish pop maverick Robyn is back with her new album, Sexistential, marking a profound personal and artistic evolution. In an exclusive interview, the 46-year-old artist opens up about her journey through IVF as a single mother, her surprising sexual awakening, and her reflections on a decades-long career in the music industry.
Embracing Vulnerability and New Beginnings
Robyn, born Robin Carlsson, sits in a London recording studio attic, surrounded by her belongings as if nesting. She describes Sexistential as an ode to letting her guard down and feeling deeply, a theme that resonates with her recent life changes. Since her last album, Honey, she has ended her engagement, welcomed a son named Tyko via IVF, and navigated the complexities of single parenthood.
"Defending my right to be myself and be vulnerable," she says, emphasizing how motherhood has reshaped her perspective. The album title, a blend of "sex" and "existential," reflects her experiences of dating while undergoing IVF treatments, which she describes as a rollercoaster of emotions and physical challenges.
From Teen Idol to Independent Icon
Robyn's career began at age 14 when she was signed to a major label and groomed as a teenybopper R&B star. However, she walked away from the manufactured pop machine to establish her own independent label, Konichiwa Records, paving the way for artists like Lorde and Charli XCX. Her influence is undeniable, with hits like Dancing on My Own becoming anthems for millennials and beyond.
Reflecting on her early years, Robyn recalls the exploitative culture of the 1990s music industry, where she faced objectification and pressure to conform. "It was extremely brutal and intimidating," she admits, noting how therapy helped her process these experiences. Her decision to leave her label in 2005, forfeiting royalties, was a liberating move that allowed her to reclaim her artistic integrity.
Motherhood and Artistic Renewal
Robyn's path to motherhood was not straightforward. After freezing her eggs at 34, she underwent multiple rounds of IVF during the pandemic, a process she describes as both challenging and privileged. Choosing to raise Tyko alone, she initially feared repeating the struggles she witnessed in her own childhood as the child of a single mother.
Yet, this journey brought unexpected joys. "When there isn't as much at stake, sex becomes more fun," she shares, discussing how dating during pregnancy and IVF led to a sexual awakening. On Sexistential, she explores these themes with synth-driven beats and candid lyrics, embracing the heartbroken archetype she once tried to distance herself from.
Looking Ahead: Touring and Legacy
As Robyn prepares for a European tour with her son in tow, she expresses excitement about performing as a parent for the first time. Balancing motherhood and music requires juggling two worlds, but she finds it liberating. "I feel more excited about releasing an album than maybe I ever have," she says, highlighting the luxury of having both roles.
In an industry often unkind to aging women, Robyn remains defiant. She dismisses age as a defining factor, focusing instead on her growth as an artist and individual. With Sexistential now released, she continues to inspire with her sincerity and resilience, proving that pop music can be both deeply personal and universally resonant.
