Robyn explores motherhood, fertility and independence in new album ‘Sexistential’

Swedish pop icon Robyn has returned with ‘Sexistential’, her first album in eight years, delving into themes of motherhood, sex, and independence after becoming a single parent through IVF at age 42. Known for shaping modern synth-pop alongside producers like Klas Ahlund, Robyn continues her exploration of emotional and technological dualities — this time reflecting on how science and self-determination intersect in her journey to parenthood. The album’s lyrics tackle complex feelings about fertility, loneliness, and later-in-life dating with her trademark mix of candour and playfulness. Tracks such as ‘Sexistential’, written during her pregnancy, challenge societal expectations surrounding single mothers while embracing freedom and humour. Robyn reflects on her earlier fears of becoming a single parent, recalling how her autonomy as an artist, gained through founding her label Konichiwa Records, helped her embrace this new stage of life. Musically, the record balances introspection and pulsating dance beats, with songs like ‘Really Real’ and ‘Dopamine’ exploring anxiety and desire. ‘Sexistential’ situates her deeply personal stories within larger debates about technology, identity, and what it means to live meaningfully in an age of contradictions. Now 46, Robyn says the album reflects a reconciliation between life’s existential uncertainties and the intimate joys of motherhood.