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Different World (Alan Walker album)

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Different World
Studio album by
Released14 December 2018
Recorded2015–2018
Genre
Length42:54
Label
Producer
Alan Walker chronology
Faded Japan EP
(2018)
Different World
(2018)
Walker Racing League EP
(2021)
Singles from Different World
  1. "Faded"
    Released: 3 December 2015
  2. "Sing Me to Sleep"
    Released: 2 June 2016
  3. "Alone"
    Released: 2 December 2016
  4. "All Falls Down"
    Released: 27 October 2017
  5. "Darkside"
    Released: 27 July 2018
  6. "Diamond Heart"
    Released: 28 September 2018
  7. "Different World"
    Released: 30 November 2018

Different World is the debut studio album by Norwegian record producer Alan Walker. It was released on 14 December 2018 through MER Musikk and Sony Music Entertainment and includes his successful 2015 single "Faded".[1] The album also succeeds a trilogy of releases leading up to the album, entitled World of Walker, which consisted of the singles "All Falls Down", "Darkside" and "Diamond Heart". The album was also nominated for Top Dance/Electronic Albums at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards.[2]

Background

[edit]

Featuring artists such as Steve Aoki, Noah Cyrus, and Digital Farm Animals, the album is noted for its mixture of "recognizable releases" such as "Faded" with "new material" such as "Lost Control".[3] Walker said of the album "It's an incredible feeling to be able to release my debut album, Different World. These last years were absolutely surreal, and I certainly never imagined it would get to that point when I started. very different for me. It's something I've worked on for some time, and I'm super excited to finally share with the world and hear the reaction of my fans!"[4] A campaign for the album was launched, titled "#CreateADifferentWorld". It is to raise awareness regarding the theme of climate change.[5]

Singles

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The album's first single, "Faded", features uncredited Naustdal pop singer Iselin Solheim and was released on 3 December 2015. The single reached number one in the annual charts in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden, was nominated for British Single of the Year at the 2017 Brit Awards and won Årets Låt (Song of the Year) at the Spellemannprisen.

The second single, "Sing Me to Sleep", also featuring Iselin Solheim as "Faded", was released on June 2, 2016. The song reached number one in Norway and number one on the iTunes charts in seven countries.

"Alone", featuring uncredited singer Noonie Bao, was released as the third single on December 6, 2016. The single charted on several international charts and reached number one on the Norwegian Singles Chart.

"All Falls Down", featuring Noah Cyrus and Digital Farm Animals, was released as the fourth single from the album on 27 October 2017. The single peaked at number one on the Norwegian Singles Chart and the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

"Darkside", a song featuring Antiguan-German singer-songwriter Au/Ra and Norwegian singer Tomine Harket, was released as the fifth single on 27 July 2018. The song was also released with a remix by Dutch DJ Afrojack, which reached number 1 on the Norwegian charts and number 10 on the Swedish charts.

The single "Diamond Heart", featuring Swedish singer-songwriter Sophia Somajo, was released as the sixth single on September 28, 2018. Two remixes have been officially released, one by Syn Cole and one by Dzeko.[6] The song's music video was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2019 Berlin Music Video Awards.[7]

The song "Different World", featuring American singer Sofia Carson, Norwegian music producer K-391 and Chinese music producer Corsak, was released as the album's lead single on November 30, 2018. The song was released to coincide with a campaign entitled "#CreateADifferentWorld" and features Walker speaking about the importance of climate change.[8] The song reached number 31 in the Norwegian charts.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Gaffa (Denmark)[9]

Dancing Astronaut wrote that the album "extends the fullest portrait of his distinctive sound" and described it as "a tightly threaded collection of songs, which articulates Walker's sonic artistry."[10] Billboard described it as "turning bleating synth melodies into sing-alongs, melts warm Caribbean rhythms with hardstyle booms, and electrifies the dance floor as much as it aims for radio readiness."[11] Manuel Probst of German music site Dance-Charts.de says, "Alan Walker's typical sound design runs through Different World like a common thread, creating a special atmosphere with its melancholy melodies. I am creating it. Even though the superstar stays true to his style, his attention to detail allows him to constantly change and give each song his own unique touch."[12] Holly Oizumi of Dance Music NW wrote that "Walker's vocal-driven style is at the forefront throughout the album, highlighting his key strengths."[13]

Commercial performance

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At the time of Billboard's 2019 mid-year report, the album had logged 93,000 equivalent album sales in the United States and "Faded" had amassed 192,396,000 streams.[14]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"
  • Alan Walker
  • Markus Arnbekk
  • Emelie Hollow
  • James Eriksen
  • Anna-Marie Kimber
  • Walker
  • Arnbekk
  • James Njie
1:16
2."Lost Control" (featuring Sorana)
3:42
3."I Don't Wanna Go" (featuring Julie Bergan)
  • Walker
  • Rosness
  • STATE[c]
2:41
4."Lily" (with K-391 featuring Emelie Hollow)
  • Walker
  • K-391
  • Rosness
  • Arnbekk
  • Big Fred
3:15
5."Lonely" (with Steve Aoki featuring Isák and Omar Noir)
  • Walker
  • Aoki
  • Olsen
  • Eriksen
  • Borgen
  • Omar Noir Faal
  • Sauvik
  • Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen
  • Walker
  • Aoki
  • Njie
  • Big Fred
3:36
6."Do It All for You" (featuring Trevor Guthrie)
  • Walker
  • Arnbekk
  • Mood Melodies
  • Rosness[a]
  • STATE[a]
2:54
7."Different World" (with K-391 featuring Sofia Carson and Corsak)
  • Walker
  • Olsen
  • Eriksen
  • Arnbekk
  • G. Pettersen
  • Nilsen
  • Mengzhou Hu
  • Sara Hjellstrom
  • Bertelsen
3:22
8."Interlude"
  • Walker
  • Arnbekk
  • Borgen
  • Walker
  • Arnbekk
  • Borgen
1:19
9."Sing Me to Sleep" (featuring Iselin Solheim)
  • Walker
  • Borgen
  • Mood Melodies
3:07
10."All Falls Down" (with Digital Farm Animals featuring Noah Cyrus and Juliander)
  • Walker
  • Frøen
  • Richard Boardman
  • Pablo Bowman
  • Daniel Boyle
  • Sarah Blanchard
  • Nicholas Gale
3:18
11."Darkside" (featuring Au/Ra and Tomine Harket)
  • Walker
  • Mood Melodies
  • Olsen
  • Mere Music
3:31
12."Alone" (featuring Noonie Bao)
  • Walker
  • Borgen
  • Mood Melodies
  • Greve
  • Olsen[a]
2:40
13."Diamond Heart" (featuring Sophia Somajo)
  • Walker
  • Troelsen
  • Haugen
  • Normann
  • Frøen
  • G. Pettersen
  • Yann Bargain
  • Victor Verpillat
  • Olsen
  • Sophia Somajo
  • Walker
  • Mood Melodies
  • Bargain
  • Verpillat
  • Njie[a]
  • Greve[a]
  • Big Fred[a]
  • STATE[a]
4:00
14."Faded (Interlude)"
  • Walker
  • Hu
  • G. Pettersen
  • Rosness
  • Frøen
  • Borgen
  • Eriksen
  • Walker
  • Rosness
  • Corsak
  • Njie
  • Borgen[a]
  • Mood Melodies[a]
0:41
15."Faded" (featuring Iselin Solheim)
  • Walker
  • Borgen
  • Frøen
  • G, Pettersen
  • Walker
  • Borgen
  • Mood Melodies
3:32
Total length:43:02
Japanese bonus tracks[15]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Tired" (featuring Gavin James)
  • Walker
  • Mood Melodies
  • Greve
  • Olsen
  • Rosness
  • Arnbekk
  • Carl Hovind[a]
3:12
17."Routine" (with David Whistle)
  • Walker
  • Borgen
  • Frøen
  • G. Pettersen
  • David Silva Fernandez
  • Walker
  • Borgen
  • Mood Melodies
  • Greve
  • Olsen[a]
2:46
18."The Spectre" (featuring Jesper Borgen)
  • Walker
  • Frøen
  • Borgen
  • Rosness
  • Arnbekk
  • G. Pettersen
  • La Verdi
  • Walker
  • Rosness
  • Arnbekk
  • Mood Melodies
  • Greve
  • Olsen[a]
3:13
Total length:52:18

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[c] signifies a vocal producer
  • "Intro" features background vocals from Emelie Hollow and Anna-Marie Kimber.
  • "Sing Me to Sleep" features uncredited vocals from Iselin Solheim.
  • "Alone" features uncredited vocals from Noonie Bao.
  • "Faded" features uncredited vocals from Iselin Solheim.
  • "The Spectre" features uncredited vocals from Jesper Borgen.

Charts

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Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[42] Platinum 80,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[43] Gold 10,000
France (SNEP)[44] Gold 50,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[45] Gold 30,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[46] Platinum 15,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[47] 3× Platinum 60,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[48] 3× Platinum 60,000
Singapore (RIAS)[49] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[50] Gold 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Gold 100,000
United States (RIAA)[52] Gold 500,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Different World by Alan Walker" – via music.apple.com.
  2. ^ Tveit, Janne Monsen (22 September 2020). "Her er de nominerte til Billboard Music Awards". 730.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  3. ^ Powell, Karlie (15 December 2018). "Alan Walker Releases Debut Album 'Different World' Including His Most Iconic Tracks [LISTEN]". Your EDM. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  4. ^ OFuxico (17 December 2018). "Alan Walker lança álbum de estreia 'Different World'". Ofuxico (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Alan Walker esce con il suo album di debutto 'Different World'". Billboard Italia (in Italian). 14 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  6. ^ Diamond Heart (Remixes) - Single by Alan Walker & Sophia Somajo on Apple Music, 2 November 2018, retrieved 30 January 2025
  7. ^ Sapir, Ronit (1 April 2019). "BERLIN MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2019 NOMINEES – Berlin Music Video Awards". Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  8. ^ "Alan Walker releases his new single and debut album title track 'Different World'". Mynewsdesk (in Swedish). 30 November 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  9. ^ "ANMELDELSE: Album af en anden verden". Gaffa. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Alan Walker releases debut album, 'Different World'". Dancing Astronaut. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  11. ^ "Alan Walker Breaks Down Debut Album 'Different World': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  12. ^ Probst, Manuel. "Alan Walker – Different World » [Album Review]". Dance-Charts.de (in German). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  13. ^ Oizumi, Holly (28 January 2019). "Alan Walker's Different World Tour Hits the Northwest". Dance Music NW. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  14. ^ Caulfield, Keith (7 July 2019). "Marshmello Dominates Nielsen Music's Mid-Year 2019 Dance/Electronic Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  15. ^ "Different World : Alan Walker" (in Japanese). HMV Japan. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Alan Walker – Different World" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Alan Walker – Different World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Alan Walker – Different World" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  19. ^ "Alan Walker Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alan Walker – Different World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Alan Walker: Different World" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alan Walker – A Different World" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  23. ^ "Different World on Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  24. ^ "Alan Walker". Oricon. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Mūzikas patēriņa topa 51.nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alan Walker – Different World". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  27. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  28. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Alan Walker – Different World". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  29. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Alan Walker – Different World". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Alan Walker Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Alan Walker Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2019". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  34. ^ "Årslista Album, 2019". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  35. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2019". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  36. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  37. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  38. ^ "Topplista – årsliste – Album 2021" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  39. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  40. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  41. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2024". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  42. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World". Music Canada. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  43. ^ "Danish album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  44. ^ "French album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  45. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 13 August 2024. Type Alan Walker in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Different World in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  46. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World". Radioscope. Retrieved 18 December 2024. Type Different World in the "Search:" field.
  47. ^ "Norwegian album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  48. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2019 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  49. ^ "Singapore album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  50. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Alan Walker" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  51. ^ "British album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  52. ^ "American album certifications – Alan Walker – Different World". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 January 2020.