Troye Sivan is a South African pop singer, songwriter, actor, and YouTuber who first gained popularity in the music realm with his singing videos on YouTube. His success with said videos landed him a record deal with EMI Australia in 2013 and lead to the release of his first two EPs “TRXYE” and “Wild” in 2014 and 2015. In 2015, at the tail end of the year, Troye ended up releasing his debut studio album “Blue Neighbourhood” which, despite not reaching the Billboard 200 peaks that his two EPs reached (both EPs peaked at #5, “Blue Neighbourhood” peaked at #7), the album featured his first Top 40 US hit in “YOUTH,” which peaked at #23 over here on the Billboard Hot 100 and has thus far trumped the success of any of his other singles (all of his other songs that charted in the Hot 100 have hovered around the 80-94 mark).
Now, I’ve spent plenty of time with the aforementioned single “YOUTH” and I think it’s a great song, but otherwise, I’m not totally familiar with Troye’s music. I’ve been hearing this album get a lot of praise and hype in several corners, but I didn’t really listen to a lot of the singles. I think I remember hearing a little bit of “My! My! My!” when it first came out, but I don’t remember it really clicking with me right off the bat, so I’m going into this mostly blind. I’ve heard great things about a lot of Troye’s music, and I know this album has gotten a lot of that praise, but I don’t know what to expect. Hopefully, it’ll be something good, right? Let’s find out.
Seventeen: Right off the bat, Troye talks about an experience he had lying about his age at 17 to hook up with an older man on Grindr. Okay. Regardless of the odd lyrical topic, I do think Troye’s more filtered vocals are rather nice, and the song does have a very nice, mellow, and moody feel to it. Sadly, I honestly don’t really find the hook all that compelling here, and without any real catchiness to it, I really don’t find a whole lot that makes it feel all that distinct, honestly. I guess I can see the appeal of the song, but maybe it’s just not for me.
My! My! My!: One of the album’s bigger singles, Troye taps into freedom and sexuality on this track, doing so over some rather bouncy and sensual production. I really dig the beat on this one, I think it’s more immediate and catchy than the last track, and the electronic instrumentals are very sticky as well. Troye’s vocals also sound very pretty, and while I wasn’t initially as big on the hook when I first heard the song, it’s definitely a grower. This definitely feels like a more distinct pop hit, and I really like it a lot!
The Good Side: Troye delves into his lost relationship on this cut, talking about how he got “the good side” of the breakup, given that he was able to use said breakup to push his music forward and use it as catharsis. Nice, and more power to you, Troye. I really like the acoustic guitar riffs on this cut, and again, Troye’s very low-key vocals sound very smooth and pretty, but honestly, there’s still just something not quite clicking with me about it. Again, maybe it’s that I’m not crazy about the hook? Maybe it just doesn’t feel super distinct or sticky to me? I don’t know, but I feel like this one just doesn’t totally do it for me. It’s got good things going for it, but it just doesn’t really stick to me.
Bloom: What Troye has described as a “gay anthem” with undertones about one losing their virginity, Troye also sees this one as being “almost bubblegum.” And yeah, I see what he’s saying, but all in all, this is actually a pretty fun cut. The production is more busy and punchy, and while it takes a minute for the song to really kick in and get good, it’s a blast when it does. Troye’s vocals are gorgeous, I love the hook, and I can tell that Troye just had such a fun time making and writing this one out. It’s a really strong single, easily one of the album’s best songs.
Postcard (feat. Gordi): Another personal story where Troye talks about his boyfriend’s imperfections and how he was unable to get a postcard Troye had sent from Japan, this ballad feels far more stripped-back than the others, with just Troye singing over a piano melody. Said piano is really quite beautiful, and Troye comes through with some very catchy and pretty vocal melodies. I also think the hook is one of the most emotionally resonant and sticky choruses on the record. This is a track that's easy to get into and easy to fall in love with, it’s one of the most gorgeous songs on the record. I can see myself getting a lot of listens out of this one.
Dance To This (feat. Ariana Grande): Bringing in the lovely Ariana Grande definitely helps get me excited for your track, so points for you, Troye. This one is a more mellow dance song that talks about a couple that chose to stay home to party instead of going out. It’s an interesting topic for sure, and the song is a nice slice of electropop with very bouncy and neat production. Troye’s vocals are very smooth, and he comes through with a lot of very catchy melodies on this track. Ariana’s vocals also mesh perfectly with the production, and she sounds gorgeous alongside Troye on the hook. I again can tell a lot of fun was had with this one, it’s so catchy and vibrant! I love it!
Plum: A more heartbreaking track about realizing that even the most beautiful things in the world can turn out rotten, this is another electropop song with some really smooth synths and a pretty fun 808 drum beat. I don’t think said production is some of the album’s strongest, but I do think it sounds nice enough, the hook is pretty fun, and Troye’s vocals are very nice as always. I can see why this is considered a “least favorite” in some circles because it doesn’t feel like the most distinct thing the album has to offer, but honestly, it’s just too damn fun to pass up, and it’s definitely a grower. Really liked it!
What A Heavenly Way To Die: What a heavenly title. This song is a more minimal ballad inspired by The Smiths’ “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” and it’s another somewhat more stripped-back and emotional cut. Yes, it does have the electronic production and the somewhat energetic percussion, but it definitely has a more mellow, sad feel to it than some of the other songs on here. Troye’s vocals also sound very gorgeous and emotional, and I think Troye’s ear for hooks shines through with this cut. I really dig this one, definitely think it’ll get repeat listens out of me.
Lucky Strike: Comparing his love for a boy to the addiction one gets when smoking Lucky Strike Cigarettes, this is another more energetic, electropop track that kind of reminds me a bit of “YOUTH,” just a little more uptempo. I do think said uptempo electronic production is quite strong, and it sounds very lovely, and honestly, this is a weird example of a song that grew on me a lot as I was listening to it. Troye’s vocal melodies are catchy as hell, he sounds great, and the hook, while I didn’t find it as immediate as first, definitely grew to be a lot of fun as the song progressed. Really dig this one! Might have taken some time to grow on me, but it’s pretty great!
Animal: Finishing things off with what Troye describes as an “epic profession of love,” this song also feels more stripped-back, with electronic production that’s a bit more downtempo and less danceable than the last song. The song leans a bit on the long side at four minutes and 25 seconds, but it’s an absolutely gorgeous four minutes and 25 seconds. Troye’s vocals are beautiful as always, the song has some very lovely feel changes, and the slower, more emotional production is the kind of stuff that just makes you close your eyes, lean back, and appreciate. It’s luscious, it’s heavenly, and it’s a fantastic finisher to the album.
Overall, Troye Sivan’s sophomore album definitely lives up to the hype it’s received as one of the best pop albums of the year. Troye tackles a number of different themes on this album with maturity and makes what feels like a statement on unabashed, unapologetic queer love, and the highs and lows that come with it. And beyond his natural handling of these mature topics, Troye also has quite an ear for very lovely, beautiful, ear-wormy production that definitely feels a cut above the types of pop music that come out today. It’s ethereal, it’s spacey, it’s heavenly, it’s luscious, and most of all, it’s just fun. The instrumentals are crafted with real love and care, and they’re easy to get into and fall in love with. Troye, too, is easy to fall in love with, thanks to his effortless charisma and very pretty, smooth vocals. He proves that you don’t need some over-the-top, high-note-belting voice to really make a song click and that natural, smooth vocals can be just as charming. I think you get it at this point, Troye Sivan’s “Bloom” is a wonderful album, and I can’t wait to give this thing more repeat listens.
Well…after I review the new Lil Wayne and Logic albums that are both over an hour. Pray for my sanity.
Favorite tracks: My! My! My!, Bloom, Postcard, Dance To This, Plum, What A Heavenly Way To Die, Lucky Strike, Animal
Least favorite tracks: Seventeen (if I had to pick one)
Rating: Excellent
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