Reverie (Tinashe album)

Reverie
Mixtape by Tinashe
Released September 6, 2012
Recorded 2012
Genre PBR&B, alternative dance, glitch hop, electronica, alternative rock
Length 42:22
Label Self-released
Producer Tinashe (exec.), Wes Tarte, BMarz, Nez & Rio, Best Kept Secret, B. Hendrixx, Troobadore, K-BeatZ, Daughter, XXYYXX, Roc & Mayne, JRB The Producer
Tinashe chronology

In Case We Die
(2012)		 Reverie
(2012)		 Black Water
(2013)

Reverie is the second mixtape by American recording artist Tinashe, first released September 6, 2012 via her official website. The mixtape was released after the release of her debut mixtape In Case We Die which came after a four year stint as lead singer of dance-pop group The Stunners and her array of non-album singles, including a collaboration with producers OFM, "Artificial People", in 2011.

As executive producer, Tinashe enlisted a variety of musical producers to work with her on the mixtape, including Wes Tarte, BMarz, Nez & Rio, Best Kept Secret, B. Hendrixx, Troobadore, K-BeatZ, Daughter, XXYYXX, Roc & Mayne, JRB The Producer, besides being executive producer of the mixtape Tinashe also wrote all of the mixtape's songs. Musically, Reverie doesn't stray far from the same PBR&B and alternative hip hop sound that In Case We Die included, the mixtape also touches on several new genres such as electronica, glitch hop, indie pop, post-dubstep and alternative rock.

The mixtape was preceded by the release of the lead single "Stargazing" which was released on August 21, 2012. "Stargazing" became the number one must-hear song on MTV "Buzzworthy" on August 28, 2012.[1] The second single Ecstasy" was released on December 18, 2012 and the final single from the mixtape "Who Am I Working For?", the video for the song was released on March 12, 2013. The album's title track was used during an scene of the American television program Love & Hip Hop.[2]

Reverie received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented the mixtapes "spacey beat and middle eastern influences", with some critics calling it "highly anticipated" and "must listen" and praised Tinashe's vocals. Other critics compared the mixtape to that of Jhene Aiko, The Weeknd and Aaliyah. Commercially the tape fared well, becoming the most downloaded mixtape on DatPiff at the time. The mixtape has been certified Silver with 50,000 downloads. Reverie is Tinashe's most viewed mixtape with over 225,000 views.

Background

After 4 years, being a part of the pop-dance girl group the Stunners, Tinashe left the group to pursue a solo career. On December 20, 2011, Tinashe announced that she will be releasing a mixtape, titled In Case We Die in 2012.[3] After 4 singles released and reaching over one million digital downloads, Tinashe was signed to RCA Records with her official debut album to be released October 7, 2014.[4] On August 5, 2012 Tinashe announced that she was ready to release her second project, titled Reverie.[1] After uploading a trailer of the mixtape on her YouTube channel, it was confirmed that the name of the mixtape is Reverie.[5] The official cover was revealed via Instagram on August 13, 2012. On September 1, 2012 she wrote to her followers on Twitter that Reverie will be released on September 6, 2012.[6]

Development

For the recording of the mixtape Reverie was self-composed and recorded and engineered entirely in Tinashe's bedroom, much like her previous work.[4] For Reverie, Tinashe was the executive producer, however she did also work with various producers from her first project, In Case We Die such as, K-BeatZ, Wes Tarte and B. Hendrixx as well as working with new producers BMarz, Nez & Rio, Best Kept Secret, Troobadore, Roc & Mayne, JRB The Producer as well as virally famous producer xxyyxx.

Tinashe took to her official blog to explain the meaning behind the mixtape and its French title Reverie (which means "to daydream"):

My second project, "Reverie", took a turn for the political. I notice that as the presidential election in the United States draws ever nearer, people become tremendously caught up in the Hollywood drama of it all—- and automatically take on, without much consideration, all of the views and the opinions of "the right or the left". Thus, resulting in a disconnect from our REAL political duties as citizens of this Earth, and a neglect for the true issues human beings around the globe face every single day. We are so caught up in our media, in our jobs, in our gossip, and in our consuming that we genuinely feel like we don’t have the time or ENERGY to bother ourselves with the tribulations of nations near and far. This… is a synthetic world many of us live in today— a dream, if you will.[emphasis in original][7]

Critical reception

Reviews for Reverie were generally positive, with the comments on popular mixtape site DatPiff being positive,[8] as well as receiving promotional space on the main page of DatPiff, and peaking at number five on the most downloaded chart on its first day of release[9] and drawing comparisons to Aaliyah via fans on social networking site Twitter.[10]

MuuMuse.com called the first single, "Stargazing", "absolutely mesmerizing" as well as comparing her to indie band The xx.[11] La Dulce Locura compared the mixtape to Jhene Aiko "but with a little more power".[12] Yakk stated that this mixtape will "further The Weeknd comparisons" which Tinashe received on her first mixtape In Case We Die but added "the slow spacey beat and middle eastern influences" of "Who Am I Working For?" "[created] something way too sensual. Combined with Tinashe’s sweet voice, and it’s no wonder RCA Records picked up on her. She really is one talented girl."[13] Fake Shore Drive also complimented the Nez & Rio-produced track "Who Am I Working For?", choosing it as a standout from the mixtape.[14]

BallerStatus.com and The Dope Delivery praised the effort, complementing Tinashe's vocals.[15][16] Global Grind called the tape "highly anticipated" as well as classifying it as a "must listen".[17] DJ Kelly J said "Though her voice is extremely angelic, her music always results with an innovative, and extremely edgy sound."[18] Soul Culture gave the mixtape a positive review saying "In addition to the beautifully enchanting (and at times haunting) vocals and production that made In Case We Die so appealing, the artist also introduces some new elements and influences to the gumbo that is her soundscape giving us another outstanding audio experience."[19]

Denver Sean of LoveBScott.com "BMarz’s flawless production" of the first single, saying "Stargazing, takes a similar approach to, Noah “40″ Shebib’s productions, but it’s as if he strapped one to a rocket and shot it into the galaxy."[20]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Fear Not"  TinasheWes Tarte 2:33
2. "Stargazing"  TinasheBMarz 3:45
3. "Yours"  TinasheRoc & Mayne, JRB The Producer 4:37
4. "Slow"  TinasheNez & Rio 4:28
5. "Another Me"  TinasheBest Kept Secret, B. Hendrixx 4:09
6. "Come When I Call"  TinasheWes Tarte 4:34
7. "Illusions"  TinasheTinashe 0:45
8. "Reverie"  TinasheB. Hendrixx 3:57
9. "I'm Selfish"  TinasheTroobadore 2:42
10. "Ecstasy"  TinasheK-BeatZ 3:23
11. "Who Am I Working For?"  TinasheNez & Rio 3:47
12. "Let You Love Me (XXYYXX Remix)"  TinasheXXYYXX 3:48
Total length:
 42:22
Sampling credits

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Worldwide September 6, 2012 Online/Digital Download Independent

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "New mixtape coming... on Facebook". 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  2. ↑ http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2013-03-25/tinashe-reverie-mp3-love-and-hip-hop/
  3. ↑ "LozzaMusic.com - Tinashe Interview". LozzaMusic. 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Tinashe – 19-Year Old Singing Sensation – to Release her Sophomore Mixtape, ‘Reverie’, September 6, 2012". 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  5. ↑ "Fear Not: Tinashe Reveals "Reverie" Mixtape Trailer". 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  6. ↑ ""My new mixtape cover #Reverie (Coming soon)" on Facebook". 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  7. ↑ "The Inspiration Behind my forthcoming mix tape, "Reverie"". 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  8. ↑ "Tinashe - Reverie / / Free Mixtape @ DatPiff.com". 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  9. ↑ "DatPiff :: The Authority in Free Mixtapes". 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  10. ↑ "Twitter / MuuMuse: @_DenverSean Yeah for sure...". 2012-08-28. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  11. ↑ Stern, Bradley (2012-08-28). "TINASHE PREMIERES TRACK FROM UPCOMING ‘REVERIE’ MIXTAPE, "STARGAZING"". Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  12. ↑ "NEW MIXTAPE: Tinashe – ‘Reverie’". 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  13. ↑ "yakk // Tinashe // Who Am I Working For?". 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  14. ↑ "Tinashe - Who Am I Working For? [Prod. by Nez & Rio]". 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  15. ↑ "Free Download: Tinashe - Reviere (Mixtape)". 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  16. ↑ "Tinashe - "Reverie" [Mixtape]". 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  17. ↑ Lewis, Brittany (2012-09-07). "Tinashe Releases "Reverie" Mixtape (DOWNLOAD)". Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  18. ↑ "Featured Mixtape: "Reverie" - Tinashe". 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  19. ↑ "Tinashe – Reverie [Mixtape]". 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
  20. ↑ "Tinashe - Stargazing [New Music]". 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-12-08.

External links