Jump to content

True Colors (Zedd album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Straight Into the Fire)

True Colors
Studio album by
Released15 May 2015 (2015-05-15)
Recorded2014–2015
Genre
Length50:01
LabelInterscope
Producer
Zedd chronology
Clarity
(2012)
True Colors
(2015)
Stay +
(2017)
Singles from True Colors
  1. "I Want You to Know"
    Released: 23 February 2015
  2. "Beautiful Now"
    Released: 13 May 2015
  3. "Papercut"
    Released: 17 July 2015
  4. "True Colors"
    Released: 29 April 2016

True Colors is the second studio album by Russian-German electronic music producer Zedd released on 15 May 2015 by Interscope Records.[1] The album features collaborations with singers Jon Bellion, Troye Sivan, Selena Gomez, rapper Logic, upcoming production duo Botnek and bands such as Echosmith, Bahari and X Ambassadors, as well as uncredited production by Rock Mafia and KDrew.

The first single from the album, "I Want You to Know" featuring Selena Gomez was released on 23 February 2015. The single entered the top 20 on Billboard Hot 100, at number 17. On 14 April 2015, Zedd released another track, "Addicted to a Memory" that features the group Bahari, that was released as a promotional single alongside the pre order of the album on iTunes.[2][3] "Beautiful Now", featuring the guest vocals of Jon Bellion, was released on iTunes as the album's second official single. The song was released on 13 May 2015. Zedd embarked on the True Colors Tour from August 2015 to January 2016 in support of the album.[4] The album has achieved moderate success, peaking at number one for Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums, as well as charting on various international charts.

Background

[edit]

In late February during an interview with a radio station, when answering a question on his album-making processes, Zedd stated that "I'm really far advanced in my album right now. It's probably still going to take me a good month, month-and-a-half to finish it, you know, the last touches. And then depending on if I can keep that promise of one-and-a-half months, it's going to come out sooner or later!"[5] In the middle of March, Zedd took on his Twitter and uploaded a series of short videos that teased True Colors. The videos uploaded unveiled a website that was mostly empty except for Zedd's logo and a timer counting down to the 18 March, at 5 P.M.[6][7]

On 7 April 2015, Zedd finally released the name, artwork, and release date of the album via Instagram.[8] The artwork features a tree with an array of bright colours as the leaves.[9] He also announced that T-Mobile, through a promotional partnership, offered 250,000 free downloads of the remix of "I Want You to Know" to the fans who followed T-Mobile's Facebook and Twitter on the morning of 8 April.[10][11]

Promotions

[edit]

The website revealed the start of a colour-themed promotional campaign for the album that covered 10 North American venues, with a new song to be premiered in each location.[12][13][14] When talking about his album, Zedd remarked that he "...wanted fans to experience the album in a whole new way". He further said that each song is associated with a color, and this is evident through his promotional tour, in which each location has different color scheme to match with the vibe of the song previewed in the location.[15] Zedd commented during the promotional campaign in Los Angeles that, "To me, certain things sound a certain color. A lot of reverb will always sound cold, which will always make me think blue. On this song ("Straight into the Fire"), the drop is very energetic and very aggressive, kind of like fire, too, so this one was super easy to pick orange."[16] In Austin, the theme colour was purple, while yellow was used in Phoenix, and blue was used in Denver.[14][17] The list of places visited by the tour were:

Date City Final location Song previewed Theme color
19 March 2015 Austin, Texas[18] Longhorn Cavern State Park "Addicted to a Memory" Purple
30 March 2015 Los Angeles, California[19] A desert near Joshua Tree, California "Straight into the Fire" Orange
9 April 2015 Phoenix, Arizona[20] Lake Pleasant "Bumble Bee" Yellow
14 April 2015 San Francisco, California[21] Alcatraz Island "Transmission" Black
27 April 2015 Denver, Colorado[17] The Stanley Hotel "Illusion" Blue
8 May 2015 Chicago, Illinois[22] Shedd Aquarium "Beautiful Now" Magenta
10 May 2015 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[23] Fonthill Castle "Papercut" White
12 May 2015 Atlanta, Georgia The Inn at Serenbe "Daisy" Green
14 May 2015 Las Vegas, Nevada Grand Canyon "Done With Love" Teal
18 May 2015 New York City, New York Empire State Building "True Colors" Red

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[24]
Complex[25]
NewsdayB[26]
Pitchfork4.2/10[27]
Rolling Stone[28]
Spin6/10[29]
Your EDM9.7/10[30]

Upon its release, True Colors received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. According to Metacritic, which is based on a weighted average score out of 100 from ratings and reviews from music critics, the album received an average score of 60 points ("mixed or average reviews"), based on 2 positive and 3 mixed reviews.[31] The album won Best Electronic Album at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.

Singles

[edit]

"I Want You to Know" was released as the first single from the album on 23 February 2015. It features vocals by Selena Gomez and received generally positive reviews from critics.[32] The music video was released on 10 March 2015, directed by Brent Bonacorso and edited by Anthony Chirco.[33] In a promotion with T-Mobile, a remixed version of the song by Milo & Otis was given to fans who followed the instructions given.

"Beautiful Now" was released as the second single from the album on 13 May 2015. It features vocals by Jon Bellion.[32] A teaser was released for the music video for this song on 26 May 2015 and the music video was released on 11 June 2015.

"Papercut" was released as the third single from the album on 17 July 2015. It features vocals by South African-born Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan.

American singer Kesha appeared during Zedd's slot at the 2016 Coachella festival to perform Zedd's album-titled song "True Colors" on 17 April 2016.[34] A studio version of the collaboration was released as a single on 29 April 2016.[35] Rolling Stone editor Brittany Spanos called it a "triumphant return" for Kesha.[36]

Other songs

[edit]

"Addicted to a Memory" was released as a promotional track to be downloaded when pre-ordered on iTunes beginning 14 April 2015 and was subsequently released to streaming sites such as Spotify and Beats Music later that day. This five-minute track features the American girl group Bahari.[2][37]

"Bumble Bee", a collaboration with Canadian production duo and Dim Mak Records artists Botnek, was announced as the next promotional single to be released from the album. An extended mix of the track was released on 10 July 2015 through Beatport.[38] On the same day, Botnek posted a 31-track DJ mix titled "The Bumble Bee Mix!" to their SoundCloud page in celebration of the release.[39] The song became the album's only collaborative track, as well as one of the few club-styled tracks on the album.

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Addicted to a Memory" (featuring Bahari)Zedd5:03
2."I Want You to Know" (featuring Selena Gomez)Zedd3:59
3."Beautiful Now" (featuring Jon Bellion)3:38
4."Transmission" (featuring Logic and X Ambassadors)Zedd4:02
5."Done with Love"
4:56
6."True Colors"
  • Zaslavski
  • Armato
  • James
  • Zedd
  • Rock Mafia
3:48
7."Straight into the Fire"
  • Zedd
  • KDrew
3:41
8."Papercut" (featuring Troye Sivan)
  • Zaslavski
  • Michaels
  • Jay
  • Jake
  • Martin
  • Robbins
  • Jason Evigan
  • Austin Paul Flores
Zedd7:23
9."Bumble Bee" (with Botnek)
  • Zedd
  • Botnek
4:07
10."Daisy"
Zedd2:54
11."Illusion" (featuring Echosmith)
  • Zaslavski
  • Luttrell
  • Georgia Ku
Zedd6:26
Japan and Target bonus tracks[40]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."I Want You to Know" (featuring Selena Gomez) (Marc Benjamin Remix)
  • Zaslavski
  • Tedder
  • Drew
  • Benjamin
 
13."I Want You to Know" (featuring Selena Gomez) (Fox Stevenson Remix)
 
Perfect Edition[41]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Stay the Night" (featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore)
  • Zaslavski
  • Williams
  • Benjamin Eli Hanna
  • Carah Faye
3:37
13."Find You" (featuring Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant)
  • Zaslavski
  • Koma
  • Bryant
3:24
14."Clarity" (featuring Foxes) (Tiësto Remix)
5:54
15."I Want You to Know" (featuring Selena Gomez) (Scout Remix)
  • Zaslavski
  • Ryan Tedder
  • Kevin Nicholas Drew
2:58
16."True Colors" (Grey Remix)
  • Zaslavski
  • Armato
  • James
  • Kyle Trewartha
  • Michael Trewartha
3:45
17."Addicted to a Memory" (featuring Bahari) (radio edit)
  • Zaslavski
  • Koma
3:30
18."Rude" (Zedd Remix)
4:33
19."Alive" (Zedd Remix)
  • Empire of the Sun
  • Zaslavski
3:45

Notes

  • "Done with Love" features uncredited vocals by Jacob Luttrell
  • "True Colors" features uncredited vocals by Tim James
  • "Straight into the Fire" and "Daisy" feature uncredited vocals by Julia Michaels
  • "Bumble Bee" interpolates "Break Through" by Roger Troutman.

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Singapore (RIAS)[65] Gold 5,000*
United States (RIAA)[66] Gold 500,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Australia 15 May 2015 Universal [67]
Germany [68]
United States 18 May 2015 Interscope [69][70]
Ireland 3 July 2015 Universal [71]
United Kingdom 6 July 2015 Polydor [72]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "iTunes - Music - True Colors by Zedd". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b Soto, Alfred (17 February 2015). "Zedd Teases 'True Colors' With Lush New 'Addicted to a Memory'". SPIN. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  3. ^ @Zedd (14 April 2015). "GUYS!!!! My new album #TrueColors is UP for PRE-ORDER!!!!!!! Comes with 1 new song if you pre-order now: http://t.co/p1REPEftcg !!!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 March 2018 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Zedd.net (19 June 2015). "Zedd's True Colors Asian Leg Tour". Zedd.net. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Zedd Talks "I Want You To Know," New Album, & Selena Gomez With Booker! " New Music, Music News, Concerts, Gossip – 97.1 AMP RADIO". Amp.cbslocal.com. 26 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Is Zedd Counting Down to New Album 'True Colors'? : Buzz". Music Times. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Zedd Reveals Album Title, True Colors, & Countdown Website". Youredm.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. ^ "NME News Zedd to release new album 'True Colors' in May". Nme. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Zedd's new music album True Colours will release in May | Vh1 India". Vh1.in. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Zedd Partners With T-Mobile To Give Away Free "I Want You To Know" Remix". EDMTunes. 8 April 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  11. ^ "Zedd's 'True Colors' Set for May Release". Billboard. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  12. ^ "ZEDD True Colors on Twitter". Twitter.com. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015. "When the countdown ends [...] get moving. 50 people in Austin will get to attend a very special event.
  13. ^ Hudson, Alex (7 April 2015). "Zedd Shows His 'True Colors' on New Album". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Zedd Reveals All The Colorful Details About His Upcoming Album". MTV. 7 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  15. ^ "Zedd To Release Eagerly Awaited New Album, True Colors, On May... - SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/" (Press release). Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Zedd's "True Colors" Campaign Continues in the Desert". Your EDM. April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  17. ^ a b Smith, Cody. "Zedd Premieres New Track at Extravagant, All-Night Party". edm.com. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Zedd Threw A Truly Insane Party For Fans in a Cave". Buzzfeed.com. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  19. ^ Anthony, Brian (30 March 2015). "Zedd threw a fiery listening party for 50 fans in the middle of the desert". Mashable.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  20. ^ "Zedd Throws 50 Phoenix Fans An Unforgettable Party". EDM.com. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  21. ^ Nelson, Jeff. "Zedd Surprises Fans with Alcatraz Party, True Color Album". People.com. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  22. ^ "Zedd on Twitter". Twitter.
  23. ^ "ZEDD True Colors on Twitter". Twitter.
  24. ^ David Jeffries. "True Colors - Zedd". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  25. ^ Khal (21 May 2015). "Review: Zedd Shows His 'True Colors' on His Radio-Ready Sophomore Album". Complex. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  26. ^ Gamboa (15 May 2015). "True Colors review: Zedd's growing pains". Newsday. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  27. ^ Goble, Corban (21 May 2015). "Zedd: True Colors". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  28. ^ Murray, Nick (19 May 2015). "Zedd's New Album: True Colors". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  29. ^ Brown, Harley (20 May 2015). "Review: EDM Titan Zedd's Orchestral Expansion Lacks Direction on 'True Colors'". Spin. SpinMedia. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  30. ^ KSPENCE (19 May 2015). "Zedd beats sophomore slump with true colors". Your EDM. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  31. ^ "True Colors Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  32. ^ a b "Selena Gomez & Zedd's 'I Want You To Know': Listen to the Stars Join Forces". Billboard. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  33. ^ "Zedd "I Want You To Know" (brent bonacorso, dir.)". VideoStatic. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  34. ^ Kreps, Daniel (17 April 2016). "See Kesha Perform 'True Colors' With Zedd at Coachella". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  35. ^ Lindner, Emilee (27 April 2016). "Zedd Announces Joint Project with Kesha". Fuse. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  36. ^ Spanos, Brittany (28 April 2016). "Hear Kesha's Triumphant Return on Zedd's 'True Colors'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  37. ^ Middleton, Ryan (14 April 2015). "Zedd Releases "Addicted to a Memory" From Album 'True Colors'". Music Times. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  38. ^ "Bumble Bee" [Interscope Records] (00602547463616). Beatport. 2015-07-10. Retrieved 10 July 2015
  39. ^ Lombardo, Scott (13 July 2015). "Botnek Celebrates Release of "Bumble Bee" with Killer Mix". EDMTunes. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  40. ^ Lombardo, Scott (13 July 2015). "Zedd - True Colors - Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  41. ^ "True Colors - Perfect Edition". iTunes. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  42. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Zedd – True Colors". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  43. ^ "ARIA Dance – Week Commencing 25th May 2015" (PDF). ARIA Charts. Australian Web Archive. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  44. ^ "Ultratop.be – Zedd – True Colors" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  45. ^ "Ultratop.be – Zedd – True Colors" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  46. ^ "Zedd Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  47. ^ "Zedd: True Colors" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  48. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Zedd – True Colors" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  49. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Zedd – True Colors". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  50. ^ トゥルー・カラーズ | ゼッド [True Colors | Zedd] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  51. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Zedd – True Colors". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  52. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  53. ^ "2015년 22주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  54. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Zedd – True Colors". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  55. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Zedd – True Colors". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  56. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Zedd – True Colors". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  57. ^ "Zedd | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  58. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  59. ^ "Zedd Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  60. ^ "Zedd Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  61. ^ "Hot Albums Year End" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  62. ^ Top Billboard 200 Albums : Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  63. ^ Dance/Electronic Albums : Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  64. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  65. ^ "Singapore album certifications – Zedd – True Colors". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  66. ^ "American album certifications – Zedd – True Colors". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  67. ^ "True Colors by Zedd, Dance, CD". Sanity. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  68. ^ "True Colors: Amazon.de: Music". Amazon.de.
  69. ^ "Amazon.com: Zedd: True Colors: Music". Amazon. 21 March 2024.
  70. ^ "iTunes – Music – True Colors by Zedd". iTunes Store (US).
  71. ^ "iTunes – Music – True Colors by Zedd". iTunes Store (IE).
  72. ^ "iTunes – Music – True Colors by Zedd". iTunes Store (GB). Archived from the original on 14 July 2015.
[edit]