Story by Veronica Burns, Staff Writer
Photo Credit iTunes

Troye Sivan is a twenty-year-old Australian singer who just released his first debut album. When I tell people about him they assume he’s “just another Justin Bieber,” and make other stereotypical judgements. This is not the case, even though they were both discovered on YouTube. Sivan’s songs are changing the game and you should take listen.

His EP Wild gained attention from huge names like Taylor Swift. She tweeted, “GO @troyesivan WILD IS STUNNING AND AWESOME. (YES CAPS LOCK IS NECESSARY HERE.) #EPgoals.” This tweet is actually how I discovered his music past September, when the EP dropped. He previously released an EP titled TRXYE with the popular song “Happy Little Pill” and some may recognize him from the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie where he played a young James Howlett.

I wondered what the big deal was, but within seconds of listening to the lead single “Wild,” I was hooked. His voice was so captivating, and his songs had such a meaning I couldn’t help my listen to more. It’s hard to narrow his sound to one genre, but iTunes classifies it as electronica. The unique sounds on each track he creates have me constantly impressed. I have found myself obsessed and needed to purchase the Target version of Blue Neighborhood when it was released Friday, December 4.

Blue Neighborhood is also the name of the music video series he released for the singles “Wild,” “Fools,” and “Talk Me Down.” The videos showcase a relationship between longtime friends who fall in love, along with the challenges they’re facing. It’s beautiful and heart wrenching watching the struggles the couple faces because of their sexuality, including suicide.

In an interview with LGBT publication The Advocate, Sivan said, “I think the most important thing to me at this point in my career is being able to be honest in my songwriting — and these songs are about boys.” This honestly he talks about is so prevalent in the eighteen track album is what makes him what of the most talented singers I’ve heard.

“Too Good” is one I find myself putting on repeat. The simple composition in the background, along with the powerful lyrics will draw you in. Your heart will feel each word as he sings, “Scared my love, you’ll go/ Spend my love, heart broke/ So my love don’t show/ Scared my love, you’ll go.”

“Suburbia” is a fun one to listen while you’re driving because it asks, “Have you heard me on the radio? Did you turn it up?” The answer: yes and yes. The song gives insight to the neighborhood he grew up in and his tie to that community.

Without losing a piece of me how do I get to heaven? This thought and related ones are the main focus of the song that features Betty Who. Sivan sings about his struggle of being gay and what that means for his faith. Listening may cause you to shed a tear or two, because this song gets deep.

One of the other songs that includes a collaboration is “Blue” featuring Alex Hope. They sing about a relationship where one person is more invested, falling in love “with a heart that beats so slow.”

Blue Neighborhood is pretty blue in general, but there is themes of hope as well. With there being so many tracks it’s likely everyone will find a verse, a song, or a whole album that someone will relate to. His voice is so calming and soft, and lyrics can sometimes be therapeutic. I am impressed at how well this album was put together, especially with it being a debut.

He is currently touring and will be stopping on Wednesday, February 24 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. Tickets are around $20 so if you love his music, make sure you snag yourself tickets to this show because they won’t be this cheap next time he hits town. Sivan is just getting started and with the rate he is going at, I’m excited to see what he has planned next.

About the Writer…

Veronica Burns is a junior studying a dual business communication major and journalism. Her loves include cats and actor Tom Hiddleston.