Winter Spring Summer Fall (album)

Winter Spring Summer Fall
Mixtape by Boots
Released	May 6, 2014 (2014-05-06)
Recorded	2013–2014
Genre	R&B hip hop
Producer	Boots
Boots chronology
WinterSpringSummerFall (2014) Motorcycle Jesus (2015)

Winter Spring Summer Fall is the debut mixtape by American record producer, singer-songwriter, rapper and musician Boots.

Background

Jordy Asher was a frontman of bands such as Blonds,^[2] Young Circles, Blond Fuzz and Stonefox.^[3] In June 2013, he was officially signed to Jay Z's entertainment company and Sony Music Entertainment imprint, Roc Nation, under the pseudonym Boots, for publishing.^[4] In the same month, a fashion film (starring Chanel Iman and Viktoriya Sasonkina) featuring music by Boots was released.^[5]

With his contributions to Beyoncé released in December 2013, Boots came onto the music scene largely unknown.^[6] Upon the release of Beyoncé, he updated his Facebook page, saying he had been "working on [Beyoncé] for most of the past year", and that he had "produced 85% of [the album] and [had] four original songs on the album."^[7] Boots contributed additional production, background vocals and instruments to the album's first R&B/hip hop single, "Drunk in Love", featuring Jay Z.^[8][9] Beyoncé later referenced Boots' work on the album, saying he is "a new producer that [she] completely respect[s]", that "he is an innovator", and she is "so proud to work with him".^[2]

Promotion

Boots began releasing tracks for his mixtape in mid February. On February 13, 2014 Beyoncé's official Facebook page shared a link to Boots' personal website which contained an original composition titled "Dust" with an accompanying music video.^[10] The song was of the first to be released which featured Boots singing lead vocals.^[11]

On March 11, 2014 Boots released two more songs. One titled "Howl"^[12] as well as another titled "Autumn (Lude I)" which featured R&B artist Kelela. The release of "Autumn (Lude I)" included another music video, directed by Boots.^[13] "Autumn (Lude I)" featured Boots rapping instead of singing.^[14]

On March 25, 2014 Boots yet again released two songs. The first was a song titled "Ride Ride Ride" which reportedly featured background vocals from Sia Furler.^[15][16] The second song titled "Alright", featured Boots prominently rapping. In the song, Boots mentions selling "1 million in one week", alluding to Beyoncé's album surpassing one-million digital sales in its first week.^[17][18]

On April 8, 2014 Boots released two more songs on his Facebook page. The first titled "Sheep/Lookin' Muthafucka (Lude II)" is a two part song. The first half hears Boots singing quietly over an electronic and orchestral arrangement. The second half features Boots rapping with a motif that plays heavily off of Nicki Minaj's "Lookin Ass". The second was a song titled "My Heart Is a Stone Today (Unharmed)"^[19][20]

Release

On April 11, 2014 Boots uploaded a photo to his Twitter reportedly of a track-list. The track list contained all of the songs he had previously released. Prominent features listed were Shlohmo & Jeremih, Kelela as previously mentioned, Son Lux, Margot and a final feature that is unconfirmed.^[21] He later went on to announce that the track list was a mixtape titled "WinterSpringSummerFall" but did not confirm a release date.^[22]

Track listing

All tracks written by Boots.

Personnel

• Boots – vocals, production

Additional musicians

• Shlohmo – (track 6)
• Jeremih – (track 6)
• Kelela – (track 7)
• Son Lux – (track 10)
• Margot – (track 14)
• Sia Furler – vocals (track 15)
• Beyoncé – vocals (track 16)

References