Divinity (song)
| "Divinity" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Porter Robinson | |
| from the album Worlds | |
| Released | August 12, 2014 |
| Recorded | 2012-13 |
| Genre | Electronic dance music |
| Length | 6:08 |
| Label | Astralwerks |
| Composer(s) | Porter Robinson, Amy Millan |
| Producer(s) | Porter Robinson |
"Divinity" is a song by American record producer Porter Robinson featuring Amy Millan. It is the opening track for Robinson's debut studio album, Worlds, released on August 12, 2014.
Background and composition
"Divinity" was one of the first songs written for Worlds, and Robinson chose it as the opening track of the album due to its sound, which he believed to be "very [him]" and representative of the album.[1] In an interview with Cuepoint, Robinson clarified: "I started the album with that song because it was the first one that I wrote that I felt was in the style of Worlds. It was the first one that had the 90 BPM, side-chained chords, sort of slowed-down but still four-on-the-floor and more emotional quality that starts the hook, which I’d say it was a big part of the sonic quality of Worlds. That was the first song that I wrote like that. And I also love albums that start off with like a strong riff."[2]
A distorted sound, a "boys choir type sound that [he] was messing with", works as the main instrument of the track. The instrumental existed before Amy Millan was featured on the track.[2] Millan is the vocalist of Stars, a band that connects to Robinson's emotional adolescent years.[1] On August 5, 2014, NPR pre-released the song.[3]
Reception and legacy
Alberto Reyes of EDMTunes said that "Divinity" "works perfectly as the first track on the debut, a lovely tune that serves as a great thesis statement for Worlds".[4] Similarly, Scott Greene of Your EDM stated that the song "serves as a great introduction to the overall concept of the album".[5] Derek Staples of Consequence of Sound declared that the "ethereal electro vibes" of "Divinity" "evoke images of a Glitch Mob/The M Machine collaboration".[6] According to Barry Walters of Spin, the song "features many EDM trademarks — a walloping beat, a wall of synths, a breathy female cameo [...] all reduced to a nearly funeral plod".[7]
In 2015, the song was remixed by Odesza and included in Worlds Remixed.[8] Billboard critics chose the song as the 6th best of Porter Robinson, in 2017.[9] In 2018, it was remixed by Rezz.[10][11] Robinson played the song in 2021 at Secret Sky.[12]
Charts
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[13] | 35 |
References
- ^ a b Worlds Commentary. Porter Robinson. 2014. Spotify. Sample Sized.
- ^ a b Pizzo, Mike "DJ" (October 5, 2015). "Porter Robinson Reflects on "Worlds," One Year Later". Cuepoint. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Songs We Love: Porter Robinson, 'Divinity' (feat. Amy Milan)". NPR.org. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Alberto, Reyes (August 18, 2014). "Porter Robinson - Divinity (Ft. Amy Millan)". EDMTunes. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Greene, Scott (August 12, 2014). "Worlds: Porter Robinson's Artistic Rebirth". Your EDM. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Staples, Derek (August 12, 2014). "Porter Robinson – Worlds". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ Kamps, Garrett (August 14, 2014). "Porter Robinson Invents Shoegaze-EDM on Dazzling 'Worlds'". Spin. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ "ODESZA remixed Porter Robinson's "Divinity" ft. Amy Millan of Stars/Broken Social Scene (listen)". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (July 6, 2017). "Porter Robinson's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Bagshaw, Bella (November 28, 2018). "REZZ delivers decadent Porter Robinson 'Divinity' remix". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Rezz Releases Long-Awaited Remix of Porter Robinson's "Divinity"". EDM.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Kang, Charles. "Review: Porter Robinson Transcends With Transformative Second Sky Festival". Magnetic Magazine. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Porter Robinson Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2022.