Last year, Troye Sivan majorly impressed us with his brooding brand of electro-pop on his debut major-label EP, TRXYE. And if you think the Australian YouTube sensation and singer-songwriter was primed to suffer a sophomore slump, just take a listen to his new mini-album, Wild.
Released on Friday (Sep. 4), the six-song effort is Troye’s creative breakthrough; a gorgeous collection of bright pop songs that encapsulate issues most artists might shy away from. Take the EP’s titular track, which, on the surface, sounds like a typical catchy tune about young love. But there’s a harrowing underside of conflict on “Wild,” which becomes immediately clearer upon viewing its accompanying music video.
Troye Sivan – WILD (Blue Neighbourhood Part 1/3)
“Wild” kicks off the first part of a video trilogy dubbed “Blue Neighbourhood,” and chronicles the beginnings of a Romeo & Romeo romance, with clashing families, star-crossed lovers and the warning signs of a difficult abusive experience. It’s a gripping narrative, and one that’s not too unexpected, given the 20-year-old’s tendency to be quite confessional online. He’s also always been a visually-focused artist, and the cinematic beauty of “Wild” continues that tradition stunningly.
As we’ve pointed out before, holding a stigma against artists who shot to fame online is silly and ultimately ignorant. And Wild further proves that — as he continues his transition from YouTube fame to mainstream success — Troye is not to be counted out.