Sivan stays true to his style with “Wild”

Sivan stays true to his style with Wild

Famous youtube sensation Troye Sivan returns to the music scene after his break-out debut just a year ago. With a second album titled “Wild” which brings a familiar tone, but shows an amount a ferocity and attentive detail that the first one seemed to lack.

“Wild”, the title track,  has strong influences of house music, but refutes the lackluster drowned out sound trap that many songs of this genre fall into. The song has a youthful chant on the chorus, that’s reminiscent of the chant found on “Fun,” from Sivan’s previous album. The second verse has a funky bass-line that adds depth to the beautifully layered song. The song treats your ears to different treats, during one point you can hear him hum underneath the the big ending chorus repeat the bridge “You make my heart shake, bend and break, but I can’t turn away and it’s driving me wild,” into your ear almost like a secret.

“Bite” has a haunting quality to it, as Sivan utilizes the range of his voice to make an harmony that is slightly unsettling and intruiging. A light keyboard leads the song until a contrasting bass drop kicks in that is followed by some sounds can be best compared to creaking door and hovering bats. Sivan’s feathery voice seems to be experiencing a touch of echo and reverb, as if he sung in the vacant halls of an haunted house. The song was definitely meant to be darkly seductive, and Sivan achieves this feel.

“Fools” is Sivan’s take on the quote “only fools fall in love,” but Sivan admits it’s not our choice to love that’s foolish, but rather who we choose to love that’s silly, as he intensely belts “Only fools fall for you.” The song features a bright studio keyboard that has become overused in Sivan’s songs, but the lyrics show a relatable part of Sivan’s personality, and they are clever and cutting. The beat is filled with wavy synths that fit the fluctuating emotions indicated in the song.

“Ease” has a militarian type beat with a few vacant synthetic horn sounds. The keyboard is soft as Sivan and Broods harmonize over the chorus. Broods voice compliments the quick sounds of a xylophone. Sivan sings in a fashion on the verse that is almost a half-hearted talk, which is perfect as Sivan relinquishes his fears on the track that sounds vulnerable and honest.

“The Quiet” starts of as a simple piano melody that begins to add more complications. Sivan is almost singing in a way that is seems like an intimate talk between him and his lover. This devastated lazy singing fits perfectly which is very remiscent of an spoken word. The drums keep a steady rhythm that helps with his poetic flow as he says, “So tell me anything, anything hurts less than the quiet.”

The song “DKLA” begins with an intro that mimics pitter patter of rain. The song is multidimensional and experimental, playing with subtle key changes and changes of pace with the beat. The rap that is featured on the song is unexpected and gives a much-needed edge. The rapper Tkay Madiza is unfettering in her approach as she annihilates the rap syllable by syllable such a very necessary contrast for Sivan’s voice.

The album is taking small leaps of faith for Sivan. He has not lost his amazing songwriting skills, and his style has not changed much either. This album doesn’t seem to me as stepping out of his box as much as he is capable of. Yet he did make some progress as he was more generous with his features which added diversity. Overall the album is a quick listen that captures a handful of youthful emotions.