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Avicii, a.k.a Swedish DJ and producer Tim Bergling, has been at the forefront of the burgeoning EDM scene over the last few years. Originally rising to prominence on a wave of controversy when his track Collide was swiped by Leona Lewis, he's since gone on to release some huge singles: Levels (later pretty much copied by Flo Rida on his track Good Feeling), Silhouettes, I Could Be The One (vs Nicky Romero) and, not least of all, recent smash Wake Me Up.
It's a huge surprise, therefore, that only the latter appears on 'True', Bergling's debut album (I Could Be The One especially is a big oversight). Instead, the album is new material that's 50/50 full dance mixes and EDM pop tracks, all catered towards a common denominator mainstream audience.
What's also surprising is the emphasis on real instruments. Wake Me Up introduced the world to his electro-country style with its guitar riffs and infuriating melody - something that continues with the likes of Hey Brother and the dramatic strings of Heart Upon My Sleeve. These are not genres that should be put together by any means.
Beyond this, 'True' doesn't push any boundaries and instead sticks to generic EDM fare influenced by house artists like Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Daft Punk (who are all infinitely more exciting talents). The extended cuts of Dear Boy, Hope There's Someone (which samples Anthony & The Johnsons) and Canyons feature little that stands out from the pack.
Thankfully there's a couple of decent tracks in the middle - the vibrant, electronic vocals of Shame On Me and the funk-pop of Lay Me Down, both of which are clearly influenced by Daft Punk and represent true hands-in-the-air moments. Avicii may have been voted third in DJ Magazine's 2012 Top 100 DJs list, but perhaps all that gigging has left little time to really focus on the album - an album criminally lacking the big singles he's best known for.
2/5
Gizzle's Choice:
* Shame On Me
* Lay Me Down
Listen: 'True' is available now.
