"Papercut" is a song by German DJ and record producer Zedd from his second studio album, True Colors which features vocals from Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan. It was written by Zedd, Julia Michaels, Sam Martin, Lindy Robbins, Jason Evigan and Austin Paul Flores and produced by Zedd. It was released as the third single on July 17, 2015.
| "Papercut" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Zedd featuring Troye Sivan | ||||
| from the album True Colors | ||||
| Released | 17 July 2015 | |||
| Recorded | May 2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 7:24 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Zedd | |||
| Zedd singles chronology | ||||
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| Troye Sivan singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "Papercut" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editIn an interview Zedd said: "I thought "Papercut" would probably be my least favorite song, actually, because it's so long and it's not very catchy. It's unconventional and has this long dip in the middle, which to me is like the movie moment where you close your eyes and see Inception or Interstellar. I love that kind of stuff but I thought people wouldn't."[1]
"Papercut" was premiered at Zedd's True Colors Experience on 10 May 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The listening session was held in Fonthill Castle, chosen to reflect the cinematic nature of the song.[2]
Sivan revealed in a YouTube video on 29 June 2015 that he and Zedd didn't meet each other at all to do the song: "I just went into the studio one day and recorded the vocal and left...and that was it."[3]
On 17 July 2015, Zedd uploaded the song audio onto his Vevo account, featuring an updated single cover. The song was chosen over "Bumble Bee" as the third single on his LP.[according to whom?]
Critical reception
editThe song has received positive reviews from critics, who praised Sivan's vocals on the track. Nic Kelly from Project U wrote, "At the start, "Papercut" sounds like it could be a ballad. Then it sounds like it could be in Frozen. Then the beat kicks and Troye starts singing and it's exceptionally amazing," and said Sivan is "the perfect vocalist for this."[4] Chris Haigh, from Pop Insomniacs, called the track a "highlight of the album" and "an impressive slice of house-pop helmed by Sivan's promising vocals".[5] Glenn Gamboa, from Newsday, said the track is "a fascinating suite of synth-pop".[6]
Track listing
edit- Digital download[7]
- "Papercut" (featuring Troye Sivan) – 7:23
- "Papercut" (featuring Troye Sivan) (Grey Remix) – 3:34
Charts
edit| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[9] | 93 |
| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[10] | 31 |
References
edit- ^ "Q&A: Zedd Adjusts to the Limelight and Gets Back to His Roots on 'True Colors'". SPIN. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ "Zedd True Colors - Event #7, Philadelphia PA - "Papercut"". YouTube. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ "Do I Have a Boyfriend?". Retrieved 19 June 2015 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Troye Sivan & Zedd's 'Papercut' Has Leaked, Is Amazing & You Can Listen Here". Project U. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Zedd True Colors Album Review: EDM-Pop At Its Brightest". Pop Insomniacs. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "'True Colors' review: Zedd's growing pains". Newsday. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Papercut [feat. Troye Sivan]". Amazon. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Papercut (feat. Troye Sivan) [Grey Remix] - Single by Zedd & Grey on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (23 May 2015). "ARIA Singles: Grace Sewell Has The New No 1 In Australia". Noise11. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "Zedd Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2016.