Avicii posthumous album ‘Tim’ turns 5 years old

Tim, the third and final studio album by Swedish DJ and producer Avicii, marks its fifth anniversary. Released on June 6, 2019, over a year after Avicii’s tragic death on April 20, 2018, this posthumous album carries profound significance. All profits from the album sales support the Tim Bergling Foundation, dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Background

Initially hinted at in late 2016, Avicii’s third album garnered anticipation after he signed with Universal Sweden. Fans eagerly awaited its 2017 release. By mid-2017, Avicii began sharing teasers for new music. On August 11, 2017, he released Avīci (01), featuring six tracks, promising it as the first of three EPs leading to the full album.

Recording for Tim resumed in late 2017. Throughout early 2018, Avicii regularly updated fans on Instagram, sharing snippets of potential tracks, including “Hold the Line,” “Bad Reputation,” “Tough Love,” “Ain’t a Thing,” and “Fades Away.” Kristoffer Fogelmark revealed that Avicii worked on “Never Leave Me” as his last track, completing it just days before traveling to Oman.

After Avicii’s untimely death in April 2018, a representative stated there were no immediate plans to release new material. However, by April 2019, collaborators were enlisted to complete the album. The result, an eclectic mix of psychedelia, Arabian music, and Caribbean sounds, was meticulously curated from 16 potential songs. Fans had the opportunity to preview the album early through music cubes placed worldwide on June 1 and 2, 2019.

Singles

The promotion of Tim began with the release of “SOS” on April 10, 2019. Accompanied by a “Fan Memories” video featuring quotes from fans, the single debuted at number one on the Swedish singles chart within two days.

“Tough Love,” the second single, dropped on May 9, 2019, with a music video following on May 14. The track samples A.R. Rahman’s “Banarasiya” from the 2013 movie Raanjhanaa.

The third single, “Heaven,” featuring Coldplay’s Chris Martin, was released on June 6, 2019. A tribute video, showcasing clips of Avicii in Madagascar after his final concert, came out on June 24, 2019.

“Fades Away,” the fourth single, arrived on December 5, 2019. While the album version featured Noonie Bao, the single version showcased Costa Rican singer MishCatt, aligning with the Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness, where she performed it live.

Tim remains a poignant reminder of Avicii’s legacy, blending his innovative musical vision with heartfelt messages. The album continues to resonate with fans worldwide, celebrating the life and talent of a true musical pioneer.