‘Youth, Life, Love and Sexuality’
December 4th marked the release of the highly anticipated debut studio album by Australian artist (and YouTube sensation) Troye Sivan. This album marks a follow up from his acclaimed EP, WILD, which garnered Sivan many positive reviews.
The album features 16 full length tracks, each containing an eclectic mixture of themes and feelings. Title track ‘Wild’, which Troye wrote with fellow Australian artist Alex Hope, is the perfect opening track while “Never knew loving could hurt this good, and it drives me wild” perfectly captures concepts of youthfulness and love which continue throughout the album.
The first single from the album ‘Youth’ with its lyrics “What if we run away…what if we said goodbye to safe and sound“ aims to provide a snapshot into Troye’s life growing up in the suburbs of Australia, a song which truly embodies the energetic tone of the rest of the album.
Despite multiple opportunities to work with many major producers while developing this album, Troye decided instead to work with lesser known names and close friends. These include fellow Australian artist Betty Who, with whom he collaborated with to produce the track ‘Heaven’, exploring sexuality and the search for identity.
With each of the songs having a distinctive feel from one another, sensations of both happiness and sadness are clearly captured throughout. All of the songs on the album deal with overlapping emotions of fear and excitement, and both youthfulness and life.
With his first headline show in Sydney last year having sold out in record time, tickets for an April date at the Olympia in Dublin were also snapped up quickly. He is now embarking on an Australian, American and European Tour.
- Caroline Flanagan, Music Writer
This article originally appeared in Volume 29, Issue 7. Published February 2nd 2016.
