The Album
True is Avicii’s debut studio album, released September 13, 2013. The genre-defying record blended EDM with country, folk, soul, and blues — pioneering “folktronica” and legitimizing electronic music’s crossover into mainstream radio. Lead single “Wake Me Up” became the most-streamed song on Spotify (2014) and remains Avicii’s defining work.
Wake Me Up Revolution
When “Wake Me Up” premiered at Ultra Music Festival 2013 (March), the crowd’s confused reaction became internet meme. Featuring Aloe Blacc’s soulful vocals and acoustic guitar over house beats, it sounded nothing like EDM festival anthems.
Critics initially dismissed it as “too country” or “selling out.” Within weeks, the song topped charts in 84 countries, became Spotify’s most-streamed track (500M+ streams by 2014), and crossed generational divides — played at weddings, funerals, graduations, sporting events.
Genre-Breaking Approach
Tim Bergling (Avicii) recorded True in Los Angeles with live musicians, session players, and non-EDM vocalists. The decision to prioritize songwriting over drops alienated some electronic purists but attracted new audiences:
“You Make Me”: Gospel-influenced house with Adam Lambert vocals
”Hey Brother”: Bluegrass-EDM fusion with Dan Tyminski (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
”Addicted to You”: Soulful ballad with Audra Mae
”Lay Me Down”: Adam Lambert collaboration, slower tempo emotional track
Cultural Impact
True proved electronic producers could create album-oriented music, not just DJ tools. The success influenced:
- The Chainsmokers’ pop crossover strategy
- Kygo’s tropical house breakthrough
- Zedd’s pop collaborations
- Disclosure’s songwriting focus
Commercial Success
- 10M+ copies sold worldwide
- Billboard 200 peak: #5 (unprecedented for solo EDM artist)
- Grammy nominations: Best Dance/Electronic Album
- Spotify milestone: “Wake Me Up” first song to reach 200M streams (2014)
Critical Reception
Electronic music media initially balked at the departure from progressive house. Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and mainstream outlets praised the ambition. Over time, electronic music historians recognized True as pivotal moment when EDM transcended club culture.
Tour & Live Shows
The True Tour (2014-2015) featured live band (guitarist, drummer, backing vocalists) alongside DJ setup — unusual for electronic artists at the time. Festival sets blended DJ mixing with live performance elements.
Legacy Context
True’s success emboldened Tim to push further with follow-up Stories (2015), which continued genre-blending experimentation. His tragic death (April 20, 2018) added retrospective weight to lyrics like “Wake me up when it’s all over” — fans interpreting them as cries for help he’d been signaling.
The posthumous TIM album (2019) completed unfinished True/Stories-era tracks with proceeds donated to mental health/suicide prevention.
Notable Collaborators
Aloe Blacc (vocals, “Wake Me Up”), Dan Tyminski (vocals, “Hey Brother”), Adam Lambert (vocals, “Lay Me Down,” “You Make Me”), Audra Mae (vocals, “Addicted to You”), Mike Einziger of Incubus (guitar, co-writer)
Chart Performance
“Wake Me Up”: #1 in 84 countries, 4x Platinum US, Diamond UK
”You Make Me”: Top 10 in 15 countries
”Hey Brother”: Top 10 in 20+ countries
”Addicted to You”: Moderate chart success, cult favorite
Resources
- Wake Me Up official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrbM1l_BoI
- True album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/)