But unlike most other pop stars (she hates that term), Robyn is, as usual, very much doing what she wants, and very much for herself.Įver since she bought herself out of her major-label contract with BMG subsidiary Jive Records in 2004, Robyn has made music for girls and boys who dance alone in their bedrooms, who wear and say and do the things that make them happy. Which isn’t to say we don’t enjoy it as we shoulder-roll, high-kick and booty-shake along with her. Neither is she dancing for us, or making music for us. Of course, the 35-year-old Robyn is clearly not dressing up for me, or anyone for that matter.

I’m dressing up for you,” she says, with an easy, high-pitched laugh.

It’s a hot, sticky day, and she’s holding a water bottle, looking sporty in white muay Thai boxing shorts and a white crop top, with her latest signature: custom-made, ’80s basketball sneakers with 6 cm platforms. We’re backstage at the Latitude Festival, a weekend-long music and arts event that draws 35,000 people to a rural spot near the eastern English coast, and the Swedish singer is a few hours away from a headlining performance with her friends and collaborators, the Norwegian dance duo Röyksopp.

Robyn looks like she’s warming up for a fight.