*WARNING - some explicit content within the music videos*
It's been 5 years since Troye Sivan's last studio album, and now he's finally back with his 3rd one, Something To Give Each Other. Filled with funky, psychedelic grooves and bass mixed with modern electronic dance pop, this album has a sound that you won't find anywhere else. Get ready to dance like you've never danced before.
TRACKLIST
Rush
What's The Time Where You Are?
One Of Your Girls
In My Room
Still Got It
Can't Go Back, Baby
Got Me Started
Silly
Honey
How To Stay With You
Troye Sivan is a queer alternative pop artist who was born in South Africa but moved to Australia when he was two. He made his start in the public eye on Australia's Got Talent in the late 2000's as a child, and went on to make a YouTube channel where he'd post covers and other types of entertaining videos. He soon became a YouTube sensation, earning millions of views on his videos. When Troye signed a record label deal in 2013 with EMI Australia, he turned his focus solely onto his music career. He released his 3rd EP, TRXYE, that same year and it peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Charts in the U.S. Troye has been consistently releasing music since, but his last studio album, Bloom, hasn't been since 2018. Finally we are here now, experiencing Something to Give Each Other, Troye's 3rd studio album and probably one of his best works so far.
Rush
Rush is the leading single and first track of the album. It touches on the topic of being young and experiencing life with no care in the world. You're unapologetically yourself and you're living in the fast lane while you still can. Parties, friends, hooking-up with strangers, hangovers... it's the kind of thing that makes you feel alive. It's a literal Rush of euphoria when you're able to let lose and let all your intrusive thoughts take over your actions. The production in this song is very addicting to the ear and makes you want to dance carelessly around your room. The music video features incredible chorography, and probably more butts than you've ever seen within 3 minutes before.
What's The Time Where You Are?
What's The Time Where You Are? is about being away from someone who has the ability to still make your heart skip a beat from half-way across the world. It's also a nice little love song that you could send to someone you're dating from afar to show that you're thinking about them. Love knows no distance, and it's easy to get lost in your thoughts about what someone is up to without you when your miles away and in a different time zone. I really like the mellow tone of Troye's voice and the soft-club groove.
One Of Your Girls
Besides being a complete BOP of a song, One Of Your Girls has one the most emotional meanings out of any of the other songs on this album. Don't let the sensual groove of heavy bass and synths fool you. At first you think the song is just about being an ego booster as Troye spits out compliments that any man would love to hear. Then when the chorus hits, you realize it's the sad reality of being in love with someone that you can't have. It's an anthem that every queer person could relate to; whether it's because the person you're in love with isn't the same sexuality, or you're their dirty little secret and they don't want to admit that they're not who they pretend to be... it's heartbreaking to come to terms with the fact that you have to let this person go. Sad stuff aside, can I just point out how beautiful Troye Sivan looks in drag in the music video?? It also features Ross Lynch, which was everything I didn't know I needed.
In My Room
In My Room features Spanish singer/songwriter and guitar player, Guitarricadelafuente. It's simply about those times where you're in your room alone with your thoughts, and all you can do is stare at the way all day-dream about a special someone that drives you crazy (in a romantic way). Half of the lyrics are in Spanish are sung by Guitarricandelafunte who has a very similar soft and sensual vocal tone that blends well with Troye's. This song has one of my favorite instrumentations on the album. It has a very funky and soulful groove that will have you vibing.
Still Got It
Still Got It is one of the more lyrically driven songs on the album. It's about the aftermath of a breakup when you're learning how to live on your own again, but the feelings you had haven't faded yet. The good memories are still fresh in your mind, and even though they've already moved on you still feel you you've "got it bad" for them, meaning that if they ever wanted you again you would drop everything and go to them. The first half of the song has very minimal instrumentation with an organ playing at the forefront. Once you start reaching closer to the end, there's a guitar interlude and a lot of ethereal production that really brings out the emotion behind the song.
Can't Go Back, Baby
Can't Go Back, Baby samples "Back, Baby" - a song from a fellow Australian artist, Jessica Pratt. Troye's song is about when you're at the breaking point of a relationship; when you know it's over, but neither of you have said it yet. It's hard to let go of someone you thought you knew, but sometimes it's worth fixing and sometimes it's not. Sometimes someone takes things too far, and pushes boundaries past the possibility of things ever being okay again. This song has one of my favorite melodies on the album. It's an earworm that will easily get stuck in your head.
Got Me Started
Got Me Started samples the iconic electronic dance song (and viral meme), Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders. Troye took this familiar melody and made it completely his own in this incredibly catchy banger. The lyrics reflect a story of meeting somebody at a party that you have undeniable chemistry with and not wanting the night to end. If you thought the other two music videos for this album had great dancing, just wait until you see this one. The choreography in this one deserves an award and Troye's dancing skills had my jaw on the floor. It's such a close call because all three of this music videos are genius, but this one has to be my favorite.
Silly
Silly is about being in a casual relationship with someone that you're in love with, but they don't want anything serious the way that you do. It has a simple but danceable groove that has R&B influence that reminds me of Drake's style in 2010. It's perfect music for a club setting, with repetitive lyrics and rhythm that will get people moving.
Honey
I think out of every song on this album, Honey is the most mainstream in it's soundscape (in a good way). It has a melody and progression that feels inspired by Taylor Swift (I'm not sure if it is), but with just a tad more dance/club production. It's a softer, more relaxing song than most on the album and is really ear-pleasing to the ear. In my mind, Honey is what comes after the scenario in Got Me Started where you've taken the person you have a lot of chemistry with home with you and you're just enjoying each other's company and not thinking about what will come next.
How To Stay With You
We've all heard the saying, "right person, wrong time". How To Stay With You is about wanting to take a relationship to the next level, but there's something that is standing in the way. Maybe they live too far away, maybe your careers won't allow it, or maybe one of you just aren't emotionally available or mature enough yet. Regardless, they are someone you could see yourself being with in the future and you want to keep them in your life for as long as you can. This soft, sensual and funky groove is a nice mellow way to end the album. It acts as a cool down from all the excitement and energy from the rest of the album, assuming you've been dancing your butt of the whole time.
"Something To Give Each Other" is an album that celebrates sexuality, individuality, love and heartache with a unique sound that pushes the boundaries of mainstream pop. It's unlike any other project that I've heard from Troye or from other artists this year. It's alternative dance pop music that focuses on experiencing the story through eccentric soundscapes and production rather than complex vocals or intricate lyrics. It's more experimental than Troye's style in the past, but it's done in a way that defines him and his artistry so well. There's nothing "ordinary" about this album, in the best way possible. It's the kind of sound that you get lost in; where you can just close your eyes and move your body like no one is watching.
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.