Robyn: "Dopamine"

"The first time I ever experienced butterflies in the pit of my stomach, I immediately went out and bought an Alka-Seltzer. Even for people who possess a stronger knowing of their hearts (or guts), one of the most basic human dilemmas is the question of how we justify our feelings to ourselves. Regardless of how overwhelming-never mind physical-they can be, to sit with and be moved by our emotions is uncomfortable business."

""Dopamine" is a gorgeous riff on a classic Robyn formula, taking the synthetic shimmer of a dance track and catalyzing its underlying passion with the warm caress of her voice. The production, courtesy of longtime collaborator Klas Åhlund is bracingly artificial. As the song builds with robotic voices, Moroder rave-ups, and a starburst of synths, the singer dismisses, then embraces that what she feels is actually real."

A first experience of stomach butterflies that prompted an Alka-Seltzer purchase illustrates how people struggle to justify intense feelings to themselves. Emotions are described as uncomfortable to sit with, even for those who feel strongly. Robyn is presented as vulnerable to the same dilemma, seeking assurance that desire is more than neural chemistry. "Dopamine" combines bracingly artificial production with a warm vocal caress to turn dance-pop shimmer into emotional clarity. The track builds through robotic voices, Moroder-style rave-ups, and synth bursts as the singer moves from dismissal to embrace of authentic feeling.

Read at Pitchfork