WILD: A Review

Kathie Guo ‘16, Public Relations

Troye Sivan: YouTuber, actor, singer, and songwriter. With over 3.5 million subscribers and four films under his belt, Sivan has developed a huge fan base, including supporters such as Taylor Swift and Sam Smith. Moreover, at only 20 years old, Sivan has already released his second EP, the widely acclaimed “WILD.”

The first song and title track “WILD” dives into Sivan’s genre of catchy soft pop, backed by muted snaps and a chorus of children. In the bridge, all the background music except for a few electronic chords disappears while Sivan’s voice rings out; the song just begs to be sung along with. Although unfamiliar with Sivan’s music, Rana Shahani ’16 muses, “While I’m not the art connoisseur, I think it’s a solid song, and I really like the chorus. All around, I give it a stellar rating.”

“BITE,” the second track, opens with just Sivan’s voice, a cappella, layered on itself, creating a hauntingly beautiful sound. The verses smoothly merge with the brief chorus, making way for frequent instrumental sections filled with a variety of eclectic tones.

The simple, ballad-like piano chords that start off “FOOLS” quickly transition into catchy pop and alternative beats. The song ends with a recording of Sivan’s fans shouting, “Only fools,” a sneaky addition and a nod to his loyal followers.

In “EASE,” the soft tones of Sivan and Georgia Nott, lead vocalist of the band Broods, seamlessly blend together. The strong drumbeat balances out Nott’s airy bridge and creates a song that makes the listener truly feel “at ease.”

Combining an electric keyboard sound and drum beats, fifth track “THE QUIET” produces a choppy melody that easily couples with Sivan’s singing and talking.

Sixth track “DKLA,” which stands for “Don’t Keep Love Around,” begins with keyboard tones and falling rain. This song deals with a more edgy style, emphasized by Australian artist Tkay Maidza’s catchy rap in the third verse.

Sivan’s genre is notably a dreamy yet electronic one which differs from popular music on the radio today; his relatable lyrics and alternative sound captivate his listeners.

“I really love Troye’s sound and the energy he gives through his music on his new album. He keeps this calm vibe while having an awesome beat and a really, really cool alternative sound,” Emily Kopchains ’17 praises.

As an openly gay celebrity, Sivan serves a role model for millions of teens around the world. Although still just a rising singer, Sivan continues to draw in an audience that eagerly sings along with his catchy tunes, happy to relate to his wild lyrics and experiences.
You can listen to “WILD” on Spotify or buy it on iTunes.