\n"}" id="mwBA">
"Sea of Voices" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Porter Robinson | ||||
from the album Worlds | ||||
Released | March 2, 2014 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:58 | |||
Label | Astralwerks | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Porter Robinson | |||
Porter Robinson singles chronology | ||||
|
"Sea of Voices" is a song recorded by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on March 2, 2014, as the first single from his debut studio album Worlds (2014), and features uncredited vocals from Breanne Düren. After becoming dissatisfied with the electronic dance music of his prior discography, Robinson decided to alter his style to prioritize aesthetic and emotional qualities in his work. Although Robinson released the song without any leading marketing in an effort to surprise his fans, it was well-received by audiences, becoming a trending topic on Twitter and charting on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. Critics highlighted the song's atmospheric production and unusual compositional structure. Robinson would later cite "Sea of Voices" as an inspiration on his later single "Unfold" (2021).
Years ago, I realized that I wanted to write an album that focused on beauty above all else. [...] I kept trying to write songs that both satisfied me artistically and also could "work" in a DJ set. Nobody ever heard these songs because they sucked and made me miserable. Again and again, I found that making a track "danceable" just meant compromising and ignoring what the song really needed. [...] The fucking watershed moment in writing Worlds was when I realized that I didn't have to write songs for DJs. I realized that my need to be honest with myself and with you was greater than my need to be famous or whatever.
—Porter Robinson [1]
Porter Robinson was initially known for his electro and complextro music, such as the 2010 single "Say My Name" and the 2011 extended play Spitfire . [2] [3] Across 2012, Robinson performed at major electronic dance music (EDM) festivals, [4] but gradually became dissatisfied with the genre. He reported experiencing "four or five fully-blown anxiety attacks onstage" that year, yelling "dance music is terrible" at one of his shows. [5] Following the release of his single "Language" (2012), Robinson set out to write an album he felt was "beautiful and emotional". [6]
Robinson felt that "Sea of Voices" was a song he "worked really hard on" and created several revisions for as a result. [7] Robinson stated that he avoided creating music with the intention of being featured in DJ sets, an approach he felt sabotaged the quality of his work. [1] Beginning with a trance-adjacent production, he eventually pivoted to a sound he felt was more "touching" and "pretty" after writing lyrics for the song. [7] According to him, he gravitated towards "sweeter, cuter, [and] more feminine" voices when writing Worlds (2014). [8] Though he originally used the Vocaloid voice Avanna for "Sea of Voices", Robinson eventually brought on singer Breanne Düren for the song's final version. [7] [8]
"Sea of Voices" was released on March 2, 2014, as the first single in anticipation of Robinson's debut album Worlds. [8] Robinson stated that his record label Astralwerks intended to release "Shepherdess", [a] which he felt was the "most EDM thing" he had recently created, as the lead single. However, he decided to release "Sea of Voices" "out of the blue" [7] to inspire interest and conversation about his change in style instead of creating an extensive marketing campaign, which he felt would "[turn] people off". [10] A remix of the song produced by RAC was released on March 18, 2014, [11] and another remix from Galimatias appeared on the album Worlds Remixed the following year. [12]
Billboard 's Zel McCarthy and Elissa Stolman, writing for Vice , noted that "Sea of Voices" represents a significant divergence from Robinson's prior work. [8] [14] Though the song came as a surprise to followers of his work, [15] it was well-received by audiences. [4] "Sea of Voices" was released shortly before the 86th Academy Awards, but nonetheless became a trending topic on Twitter during the event, contrary to Robinson's expectations. [4] [8]
Most reviewers praised the song's atmosphere, Stolman writing that Robinson had created the "first ambient EDM track". [16] AllMusic's Andy Kellman noted that the first three minutes are "nothing but softly swelling strings, wind chimes, and Breanne Düren's distantly cooing voice", [13] and Garrett Kamps of Spin felt that Robinson had "really earned that huge build" in the context of Worlds's tracklist. [17] Mason noted a subsequent "intergalactic downbeat release" at the chorus, [1] which AXS's Lucas Villa writes "[submerges] the listener" into the track's "beauty". [18] Billboard's Megan Buerger felt that song has the emotional qualities of a "tear-jerking blockbuster", [19] and a Vice writer commented that the song was evidence Robinson had "evolved greatly as a musician". [15]
Several reviewers found the song reminiscent of the electronic band M83; [1] [8] [15] Vice also identified similarities with the work of Orbital, [15] and Kamps with the post-rock band Sigur Rós. [17] In his review of Worlds, Derek Staples of Consequence of Sound felt that "Sea of Voices" was "a few months too late for inclusion on the Divergent soundtrack." [20]
In April 2021, Robinson released the song "Unfold" in collaboration with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs as a single preceding his studio album Nurture . Speaking about the composition of the song, Robinson acknowledged they had taken influences from "Sea of Voices", particularly in the sound design. As a result, the song took on a more maximalist tone, which Robinson felt was "epic" and an apt "end-of-album-moment". [21] [22]
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ( Billboard ) [23] | 40 |
Version | Region | Date | Format(s) | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
Original | Worldwide | March 3, 2014 | Astralwerks | |
RAC Remix | March 18, 2014 | |||
Galimatias Remix [b] | September 18, 2015 |
Astralwerks is an American record label primarily focused on electronic music that is now owned by Universal Music Group. Its material is distributed via Capitol Music Group in the United States. The label was founded in 1993 and, in its early years, featured prominent British acts like The Future Sound of London, Fatboy Slim and The Chemical Brothers. In recent years, its roster has expanded to include acts like Halsey, Marshmello, Porter Robinson, Illenium, Zhu and numerous others. In 2018, Astralwerks' headquarters were moved from its original home of New York City to Los Angeles.
"Shelter" is a song by American DJ and record producer Porter Robinson and French DJ and record producer Madeon, released as a single on August 11, 2016. In October 2016, a music video, produced in collaboration with A-1 Pictures, was released.
Breanne Elizabeth Dürenberger, known professionally as Breanne Düren, is an American musician best known for her work with electronic music project Owl City and her own solo work.
Porter Weston Robinson is an American DJ and electronic music producer. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Robinson began producing electronic music during his adolescence. He signed to Skrillex's record label OWSLA at the age of 18 and released the extended play Spitfire in 2011. He appeared on Billboard's 21 Under 21 list in 2012.
"Language" is a song by American electronic music producer and DJ Porter Robinson. The song was uploaded on YouTube by Porter Robinson on April 1, 2012. The song was released in the United States on Big Beat Records as a digital download on April 10, 2012. The song was later released in the United Kingdom in an EP package from the Ministry of Sound on August 12, 2012. It debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song features uncredited vocals from Heather Bright. The song received remixes from producers Kayzo together with Gammer, and from Jauz.
Spitfire is the debut extended play (EP) by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on September 13, 2011, through Owsla. After releasing his 2010 single "Say My Name", Robinson expressed desire to explore different musical genres by producing an EP, diverging from his traditional eurodance style. Spanning a range of genres, Spitfire marked the inaugural release on Owsla and caused Beatport to crash following its promotion by musicians Skrillex and Tiësto. The EP charted at UK Dance Albums, Dance/Electronic Albums and Heatseekers Albums, with Robinson subsequently embarking on a tour to promote it. Songs "The State" and "Unison" received particular attention for their libertarian themes and use in DJ sets, respectively.
"Easy" is a song by British producer Mat Zo and American producer Porter Robinson. The song was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom by Ministry of Sound and Anjunabeats on 23 November 2012 and in the United States by Astralwerks on 7 May 2013. It debuted at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. The track samples vocals from the song "Nothing Better" by Colourblind.
Worlds is the debut studio album by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on August 12, 2014, by Astralwerks. Initially known for his heavier bass-centric production, Robinson became increasingly dissatisfied with the electronic dance music (EDM) genre, believing it limited his artistic expression. In 2012, Robinson released his first song with a greater emphasis on melody, "Language", and decided thereafter to prioritize aesthetic and emotional qualities in his work. He was inspired by media that evoked nostalgia for his childhood, and wrote music integrating elements taken from anime, films, and sounds from 1990s video games.
"Sad Machine" is a song recorded by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson for his debut studio album, Worlds (2014). For the song, Robinson had the concept of a duet between a robot and a human — these vocals are provided by a Vocaloid voice and Robinson himself, respectively. He wanted it to contain elements of fiction and nostalgia. Critics noted the song as synth-pop and the inspirations from Passion Pit, M83, and Sigur Rós.
"Lionhearted" is a song recorded by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson featuring the Swedish indie pop band Urban Cone for his debut studio album, Worlds (2014). It was one of the first songs Robinson wrote for the album. He decided to work with Urban Cone after listening to their vocals and finding them adequate for the song. After being premiered by Stereogum and at BBC Radio 1, it was released on June 17, 2014, as the album's third single. Multiple critics found the song influenced by Passion Pit and noted that it was the first on Worlds with a faster tempo. The song's release was accompanied by a music video, set in city streets. It charted in Belgium and the United States.
"Flicker" is a song recorded by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on July 28, 2014 as the fourth single from his debut studio album Worlds (2014). Robinson wrote, produced, and performed the track. Musically, the song contains elements of disco and hip-hop, as well as sampling of soul music. Vocally, the song contains a text-to-speech voice incorrectly translating "never seen" Japanese song titles that have been chopped and screwed in a rap-like style.
Sander van Dijck, better known by his stage name San Holo, is a Dutch DJ, musician, songwriter and record producer from Zoetermeer. He gained international recognition for his remix of Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode", which currently has over 272 million views on YouTube. He has released music on several record labels including Spinnin' Records, Owsla, Barong Family, and Monstercat. He also founded Bitbird, a label which has released several of his singles including "Still Looking" and "Light" and his debut album Album1. San Holo's first EP, Cosmos, was released via Heroic on 18 September 2014 and was in the Top 100 Electronic category of iTunes. San Holo's first album, Album1, was released via Bitbird on 21 September 2018 and debuted at #7 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
The discography of American musician Porter Robinson consists of three studio albums, one remix album, three live albums, eight extended plays, one DJ mix, 33 singles, and 22 music videos. He first released music under Ekowraith in 2008, starting with "Booming Track".
Virtual Self is the debut extended play (EP) by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson under the alias Virtual Self. It was released on November 29, 2017, through an eponymous record label. After releasing his debut studio album Worlds (2014), a deviation from his earlier sound, Robinson suffered from depression and struggled to create a follow-up. He then started planning the Virtual Self alias, using electronic music and Internet webpages from the early 2000s as main sources of inspiration.
Nurture is the second studio album by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on April 23, 2021, by Mom + Pop Music. The album was written in the years following Robinson's debut album Worlds (2014), a period when Robinson struggled with mental illness and writer's block. As a result, the album represents a significant stylistic shift in his work; critics noted that the album features a greater emphasis on acoustic instruments and personal lyrics, while retaining many elements of the innovative electronic style of Worlds. The album also prominently features Robinson's voice, as well as a processed, higher-pitched version. The album features themes of depression, and of learning to find beauty in everyday life and the natural world. Several songs also explore themes of family and love for the first time in Robinson's discography.
"Get Your Wish" is a song recorded by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson. It was released on January 29, 2020, as the first single from his second studio album Nurture. Robinson wrote, produced, and provided vocals for the track. The song contains elements of 2000s era Japanese animation soundtracks.
"Mirror" is a song by American record producer Porter Robinson. It was released on August 26, 2020, as the third single from his second studio album Nurture (2021), by Mom + Pop. The song addresses themes of shame and self-criticism, and Robinson viewed it as a means to overcome his fears of external disapproval. "Mirror" was released to a generally positive reception, and an associated music video was released on September 9, 2020.
"Unfold" is a song by American record producer Porter Robinson and British singer-songwriter and producer Orlando Higginbottom, known professionally as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. It is the sixth and final single from Robinson's second album Nurture, released on April 22, 2021, one day before the rest of the album, by Mom + Pop Music. The song is the only listed collaboration on Nurture; Robinson has stated that this was a contributing factor in making the song a callback to his debut album Worlds (2014). "Unfold" released to general critical acclaim. On May 19, 2021, a lyric video for the song was released.
Smile! :D is the third studio album by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on July 26, 2024, through Mom + Pop Music. In recording the album, Robinson sought to break away from many stylistic elements of his previous work. The music on the record draws from pop-punk, early 2000s rave, and hyperpop influences.
"Cheerleader" is a song recorded by the American electronic music producer Porter Robinson for his third studio album, Smile! :D (2024). An electropop and synth-pop song, its lyrics, written by Robinson, deal with parasocial relationships. "Cheerleader" was released on March 20, 2024, through Mom + Pop, as the lead single from Smile! :D. For his first solo release in two years, Robinson wanted to create something that people would enjoy "without context". It was accompanied by a music video where Robinson enters a virtual reality.