Over the past couple of years, we've seen incredible debut albums from artists in all fields of pop. A few of the most notable have been Lorde's Pure Heroine, Years & Years' Communion, and BROODS' Evergreen, and there have been several a little more under the radar that have had serious impacts as well. Today, we're getting one of the more gargantuan ones, however, and that happens to be with the first full-length by one Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood. After rising to fame as a YouTuber and releasing two EPs, TRXYE and WILD, to much acclaim, Sivan's debut became a much anticipated one. The album is chock-full of impeccable pieces of pop as a result (he wasn't going to let us down), and the aid of some famous co-writers (Georgia and Caleb Nott of BROODS, Emile Haynie, Allie X) and a bevy of featured artists (Betty Who, Tkay Maidza, Alex Hope, BROODS) ensured that'd be the case. Altogether, the album is a perfect representation of Sivan's experiences in the music industry, in life, and of his enormous talent that only seems to increase as time wears on. There are a few standout songs on the album, and first, "COOL", puts Sivan's signature soul-tinged sound on display. He laments on the track with his words, but the way in which he does so makes you feel like you're experiencing what he is right alongside him. This feeling continues on "YOUTH", which, though about giving himself to another person, also represents a metaphor of putting himself out there in the industry and learning about himself in the process. Lyrics aside, the track is anthemic with its soaring vocals and exhilarating refrains, and it proves an excellent one to incite nostalgia and accompanying personal journeys of your own. From start to finish, Blue Neighbourhood brings you alongside Troye on all of his journeys to date, whether regarding relationships, through suburbia, or through reliving certain bouts of nostalgia that he shares. There's happiness, melancholy, and angst all to be had on the body of work, and all sentiments are encased within captivating electronic production and innovative production value to boot. What Troye accomplishes with Blue Neighbourhood is a rare and enjoyable kind of artistic sincerity, and the sheer talent he's able to thrust upon it is just icing on the cake. This is one of the best albums of the year, no doubt. Blue Neighbourhood is available for purchase on iTunes now.
Troye Sivan