cocaine dollar bills & my happy little pill

good album artwork 

a few months ago, i had no clue who troye sivan was. criminal, i know. he's a young and pretty homosexual who's insanely famous for very little aka what we all secretly aspire to be. but, due to my unhealthy obsession with superfruit, i did some research, watched some awkward videos and came to the conclusion that he's okay. nothing special. but then i heard he was releasing an EP and thought i'd give his music a chance. thank god i did.

"what the fuck is that song?"

happy little pill by the 19 year old south african/australian himself. the 'new' single from his EP "TRXYE" (it annoys me too) and, surprisingly, it's actually really good. not ironically good either. 

but, more importantly, this poorly titled EP? "what the fuck is that like?"

long story short, it's good. there's always that sense of imminent disappointment when you see someone successful try to diversify but troye seems to have blitzed this round. he doesn't sound like a wannabe or try hard but he manages to sound effortless and natural throughout. the best way i can describe it is the love child of hurts, purity ring and broods - a simultaneously sketchy and accessible electro gloom trip pop manifestation. 

it's well suited to the crux of his youtube audience (namely impressionable young girls and great big homosexuals) but his decision to stray into the dark, and less commercially successful, side of music is a bold one that might just pay off. it's good music. it's the kind of music that inspires a sad 23 year old amateur "writer" to spew some heartfelt words about it. you expect it to be absolute fucking dross which is maybe what makes it so much sweeter. "touch" is the undoubted highlight of the 5 songs - the aquatic ethereal feel of the song is only highlighted by the chorus' flawlessly sultry and jagged synth*. 

the EP definitely winds down as you move forward but there's nothing wrong with that. it's swift enough to keep you listening, complex enough to offer up something new with every listen. it's pop by numbers but in a different way to what you're no doubt expecting. "TRXYE" is an example of how to transition from child "star" to hollow fame to youtube success to established musician. he's written on every track and it shows - there's enough personality and experience to paint an honest picture of sivan. 

i'm not telling you to expect things to be shit all the time but, in cases like this, the pleasant surprise is intensified. a fellow youtuber, mamrie hart, said "there is nothing worse than having a friend make something that you don't like and have to pretend to like. but i don't have to pretend to like this because i genuinely rocked out to this (drunk on a plane)" can i get an amen up in hurr? CAN I?

oh and you can buy "TRYXE" here or on itunes if you like. i'd say it's worth it.

*(that sentence is sponsored by my inner wanker)