Avicii 'True' Review: 'Wake Me Up' DJ Teams Up With Chic, Adam Lambert For Unique Debut Album

REVIEW: Avicii Enlists Huge Names For Unique Debut Album
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Swedish DJ Avicii shocked both his fans and music critics when he first unveiled single 'Wake Me Up' at Miami's Ultra Music Festival.

The collaboration with soul singer Aloe Blacc saw his much-loved party sound shift from traditional electronic dance music to something with a country influence.

However, the song went on to become the fastest selling single of the year so far, beating One Direction to number one in the UK charts and also reaching the top spot in 62 other countries.

Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, was confident about his new sound, announcing at the time on Facebook: “I really wanted to switch things up and do something fun and different. Disruption is good when a [dance music] scene is half stuck… We knew people would be provoked."

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And Avicii has stayed true to this ethos almost throughout the whole of his debut album, 'True'.

The Huffington Post UK has heard the album in full and can confirm that 'Wake Me Up' was just the start of a new, diverse and interesting sound from one of the world's biggest DJs.

In the past Avicii has teamed up with powerhouse vocalists such as Leona Lewis, and there are more great vocals on 'True', as well as the sound of the king of disco guitar music - Chic's Nile Rodgers, fresh from his success with Daft Punk.

There are plenty of surefire hit singles on 'True', including 'Addicted To You' with its almost haunted vocals from 71-year-old Mac Davis, who wrote 'In the Ghetto' and 'A Little Less Conversation' for Elvis Presley.

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It's just one example of how Avicii has mixed soulful, old fashioned voices with infectious new beats.

'Dear Boy' begins with a more techno sounding intro but moves onto a voice that sounds almost identical to Lana Del Ray's, although we've been assured she's not on the album and it's actually folk artist Audra Mae.

On 'Shame On Me', a male vocal accompanies a strong female voice for a mix of fast jive music that wouldn't be out of place on Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack.

For fans of Avicii's former sound, his collaboration with Adam Lambert called 'Lay Me Down' should appease but the guitars still creep in from Nile Rodgers after what starts off as a more traditional dance anthem.

The darker 'Hope There’s Someone', with ethereal vocals, also sounds more progressive.

Avicii's debut album 'True' will no doubt garner a whole new set of fans for the 23-year-old. And it deserves to. It's a novel and unique mix of soul, country, R&B, rock, funk, house and electronica, from a DJ and producer who isn't afraid to take risks.

‘True’ is due to be released on 16 September 2013.

Avicii
Launch Event For mPowering Action Mobile Platform(01 of16)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: DJ Avicii performs during mPowering Action, a global mobile youth movement at Grammy Week launch, featuring performances by Timbaland and Avicii at The Conga Room at L.A. Live on February 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Tribal Brands) (credit:Getty Images)
Clive Davis & The Recording Academy's 2013 Pre-GRAMMY Gala And Salute To Industry Icons Honoring Antonio "L.A." Reid - Arrivals(02 of16)
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 09: DJ Avicii arrives at Clive Davis & The Recording Academy's 2013 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Antonio 'L.A.' Reid at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 9, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Launch Event For mPowering Action Mobile Platform(03 of16)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: DJ Avicii performs during mPowering Action, a global mobile youth movement at Grammy Week launch, featuring performances by Timbaland and Avicii at The Conga Room at L.A. Live on February 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Tribal Brands) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(04 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(05 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(06 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(07 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(08 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(09 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(10 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! - Park City 2013(11 of16)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: DJ Avicii performs at Wynn Las Vegas @ Park City Live! during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Stereosonic 2012 - Melbourne(12 of16)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 01: In this handout photo provided by (RED) Avicii poses backstage for DANCE (RED), SAVE LIVES during Stereosonic 2012 at Melbourne Showgrounds on December 1, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kane Hibberd/(RED) via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Avicii In Concert - New York, NY(13 of16)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Tim Bergling, professionally know as Avicii, performs at Radio City Music Hall on September 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Day 3(14 of16)
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INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: DJ AVICII performs onstage at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival held at The Empire Polo Field on April 15, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Day 3(15 of16)
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INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: DJ AVICII performs onstage at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival held at The Empire Polo Field on April 15, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Day 3(16 of16)
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INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: DJ AVICII performs onstage at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival held at The Empire Polo Field on April 15, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella) (credit:Getty Images)