Since 2018, Troye Sivan has kept himself quite busy, between starring alongside The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp in HBO’s infamous series “The Idol,” as well as starting his own lifestyle brand. Between his music, lifestyle and acting careers, the singer finally has made the first his priority again, dropping his third studio album, “Something To Give Each Other.”
When making the album, Sivan recently admitted on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” that he didn’t intend to make an album during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the final product is worth the wait.
He said, “It was just like, I started working on it then COVID (happened), then I was filming a TV show, doing whatever. It just took a long time. I’m genuinely, like, this is the most proud I’ve ever been of anything.”
Similar in sound to his previous album “Bloom,” Sivan seems more mature now, not fully head over heels in love this time around. Detailing his experience of going through a traumatic breakup, the singer creates 10 tracks that each emit a different feeling: nostalgia, euphoria, loneliness and love.
Nostalgia comes into play in tracks like “Still Got It” and “How To Stay With You,” both tracks where Sivan reflects on a past relationship. The first track is one of the album’s standouts, as the singer admits he is envious of how easy it was for his former partner to move on. With cutting lines such as “I still got it bad / ‘Cause you’ve got what you had (Had),” it’s a great display of vulnerability from Sivan.
Meanwhile, the latter track, produced by OZGO and A.G. Cook, sees the singer contemplating ending a relationship he doesn’t fully feel committed to. It’s an interesting way to end the album, being that it is the tenth track, and it feels like Sivan is warning listeners to listen to their gut, even if they feel comfortable in a relationship.
While the album hits rough patches with songs “Can’t Go Back, Baby” and “Silly,” which just get repetitive and are reused versions of songs Sivan has made in the past, he redeems himself with obviously the album’s showstopper: “Rush.”
“Rush” feels like you’re dancing in a club, sweat dripping down your face as the bass gets louder and louder in the chorus. Sivan’s sensual tone and harmonies allow the song to be carefree and whimsical, transporting you into a different setting. An homage to the infamous drug poppers, the singer even said the song is about the high that comes with taking them, giving your body the chance to let go and be free.
Another iconic moment on the album comes on “One Of Your Girls,” a 1980s-esque ballad about Sivan begging to be noticed by a potential suitor. With a viral music video to accompany it, the singer dances around fellow singer and actor Ross Lynch while in drag, making the song and video quite memorable. An overall celebration of queerness and connection, the track is a relatable one for its storyline of wanting someone else, even if they don’t share the same desires as you.
“What’s The Time Where You Are?” and “Got Me Started” are both notable songs as well, both playing with a new sound from the singer. The first song integrates voice memos of Sivan’s friends into lyrics about wishing the person he liked would reciprocate the same feelings, wondering if there’s more between them.
Saying, “And I spent so long just waiting for the signs / Thought I’d lost my every feeling on the ride / Then, oh, you showed, and that’s just the way love goes / Now the only thing I wanna know,” Sivan is obviously hooked up on someone, emitting a wistful tone that is haunting.
On the other hand, “Got Me Started” uses a sample of “Shooting Stars” by Bag Raiders. While it’s unexpected at first, it melds well into Sivan’s vocals as he sings of being infatuated by a new person in his life. Its upbeat, chill vibe is one you can play anywhere when out with friends or alone in your room, and Sivan most likely intended for the track to be played in any situation.
Overall, “Something To Give Each Other” was worth the wait, even with minor flaws from Sivan. An album centered around the queer perspective, the singer opens up to fans in ways he hasn’t on previous albums, making it an important and retrospective body of work.
Rating: 3.5/5
