by John LucasDespite a string of big hits and platinum sales for her debut, Robyn's sophomore effort was never even released in America. Her US record company feared that the record would fail to connect with Pop Radio, and Robyn, who co-wrote every track, refused to compromise her artistic vision. In the resultant struggle the album was lost, although it was another hit in her native Sweden.Listening to the record, you can understand why the record company were nervous. At the same time though, it's hardly a radical departure from Robyn Is Here. Indeed in many ways it's a step forward. While that album was bogged down in filler and samey production, this album is much more organic and mature. There are no truly weak moments. There is a greater focus on the lyrics, which are generally intelligent and introspective. This is not to say that Robyn transformed herself into Lisa Loeb. Lead single Play is as playful a song as she's ever recorded. Other highlights include the funky Main Thing and the distinctive, minimal Electric.The main problem with the album is that the hooks just aren't as instant or irresistible as those of Show Me Love and Do You Know? It takes several listens for the songs to really sink in, which could have spelled death among the fast, disposable sounds of Pop Radio in 1999. Also, the album has a uniformity of sound which can make some songs drift in and out of the ears without really making any impression of all. US Record execs may also have been nervous of songs such as Giving You Back and 88 Days which deal with Robyn's guilt over a youthful abortion.Not a commercial blockbuster then, nor a perfect listen, but this album does mark an important step forward for Robyn as an artist, and should be of any interest to any fans of her later work.