Call off the search for Frank Ocean – his replacement has been found. Ocean’s screaming hues of orange and pink have been bypassed by something bigger, and bluer.

Not content with being an actor and hugely popular YouTuber, Troye Sivan released his debut album, ‘Blue Neighbourhood’, last year. Never has a such an emotionally-charged album – with loaded themes to boot – sounded so dreamy.

Sivan spoke about his upbringing – small town Jewish-South African/Australian boy living in hazy, perfect seclusion – and its influence on the record.  “It’s the mundaneness of it, but it’s where your truth is,” he said in an interview.

Opening track WILD sets the tone, documenting the beautiful struggle of young love in such a setting. Sivan is unashamedly raw, begging a lover to “leave this blue neighbourhood”. He floats over the children’s choir shouts of “wi-i-i-ild”, exuding the breathless, hopeless energy of young love in misty, azure shades.

On YOUTH, Sivan is effervescent – the knee-jerk opening line “what if?” is repeated throughout the verses, before cooing into the chorus over explosive electro-pop. The elastic tempo makes for one of the most euphoric moments of ‘Blue Neighbourhood’ – a sky blue shout into the void.

On the subject of youth and inexperience, the themes lend themselves both to the musicality and the lyricism of the LP. Keys twinkle like a lullaby in the backdrop of Allday’s rap verse in for him, as Sivan’s choirboy chirps outline his naivety. However, by the end of the album, the thread is well worn – LOST BOY, laden with Peter Pan references and cushioned by sweet harmonies, doesn’t see him stretching far behind the parameters he’s set for himself.

The strongest moment of ‘Blue Neighbourhood’ comes in the form of his collaboration with fellow Aussie Betty Who. HEAVEN is introduced with plush percussion and melancholic strings, before opening – and closing – with the devastating line, “The truth runs wild like a tear down a cheek”. The staggered piano and spacious beats throughout, solidify the painful realisation that you can’t experience love with out simultaneously experiencing loss. Betty Who makes a formidable partner, cooly delivering her verse, before unleashing her falsetto on the bridge.

Other highlights include BITE, a teased-out tale of sexual desire complemented by sparse vocals and dubstep stylings, and Sivan’s other collaboration with Broods, titled EASE. As well as Sivan plays the role of little lost lamb, he plays the role of ‘stereotypical young star overwhelmed by fame’ even better.

Awash with the blue of tears, oceans travelled and spilled drinks, ‘Blue Neighbourhood’ should be the soundtrack of every awkward 20 something’s life. Troye Sivan has made an album for the now, detailing his most vulnerable moments for his masses of young fans.