In A Dream [Light & Dark Blue Splatter 12" EP]

Contending with a bad breakup and a global pandemic, Los Angeles-based pop singer/songwriter Troye Sivan returned home to Australia. Back in the place where he first started his journey to stardom, he got to writing and emotional bloodletting. The results are found on his fifth EP, In a Dream, a lovely burst of shimmering emotive pop that finds Sivan in the sonic space between his first two studio full-lengths, balancing pure journal reflections ("could cry just thinkin about you") with an increasingly carefree, dance-friendly spirit ("IN A DREAM"). Elsewhere, he continues to boldly explore sexuality and messy relationships, as the tender "STUD" explodes into a throbbing nocturnal club jam and "Rager teenager!" embraces youthful abandon atop electronic sparkles. As Sivan's evolution continues, it's a wonder to see him refine his sound and find his voice. In a Dream is quite the tease, hinting at more exciting stylistic growth while giving fans just enough to keep sated. ~ Neil Z. Yeung