Don't Look Down | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 5, 2013 | |||
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Skylar Grey chronology | ||||
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Singles from Don't Look Down | ||||
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Don't Look Down is the second studio album by American recording artist Skylar Grey. It was released on July 5, 2013 by KidinaKorner and Interscope Records. The album's production was primarily handled by Alex da Kid and J.R. Rotem, along with Eminem, who served as an executive producer on the album. The album features guest appearances from Big Sean, Eminem, Travis Barker and Angel Haze.
Don't Look Down was scheduled to be released in the fall of 2011, under the title Invinsible, a portmanteau of "invisible" and "invincible", an idea which was given to her by American musician Marilyn Manson. [3] Grey had said that the album would be a complete departure from any of her previous work, stating in interviews with Los Angeles Times and Rap-Up , that the album's sound is "...commercial, yet avant-garde...", with "...cinematic beats and atmospheric hooks...", and "...sonically I can tell you that every song sounds different and it's really diverse, kind of going from cinematic to fun to dark. Alex and I really push each other creatively...". [3] In an October 2012 interview with Rolling Stone , Grey re-titled the album to its current namesake and announced that American rapper Eminem, would executive produce the album. She also said she had been working with J. R. Rotem. [4]
The album's lead single, "C'mon Let Me Ride" was released on December 11, 2012, and features rapper Eminem. The official music video for the single was released on VEVO the same day. [5] The song peaked at #33 on Pop Songs in the United States. [6] In the meanwhile, Grey released "Final Warning" on April 16, 2013; it was the album's second single. [7] The official music video was released on May 14, 2013. [8] On June 4, 2013, "Wear Me Out" was premiered online. [9] The music video was released a week later. [10] On the US iTunes Store during the week of release, the album's title song "Tower (Don't Look Down)" was featured as "single of the week"; it was released as a promotional single for free. [11] "White Suburban" is the fourth song from the album to receive the music video treatment. The video premiered on July 3, 2013. [12] In August, Grey confirmed that she had filmed a music video for "Back from the Dead" featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker. [13]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 58/100 [14] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [15] |
HitFix | B− [16] |
Knoxville News Sentinel | [17] |
Newsday | B− [18] |
New York Post | [19] |
Now | [20] |
The Oakland Press | [21] |
Rolling Stone | [22] |
Slant Magazine | [23] |
USA Today | [24] |
Don't Look Down garnered generally mixed reception from music critics. At Metacritic, they assign a weighted score to ratings and reviews from selected music critics, and the album has a Metascore of 58, which is based upon six reviews. [14] This means it has been given "mixed or average" reception. [14] At The New York Times , Jon Pareles gave it a positive review, and affirmed that "angst, melody and a hip-hop backbone are a promising combination." [2] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe gave a positive review, and stated "if the music gods smile favorably upon her, Grey will soon be known as a solo artist in her own right, thanks to the gifts for melody and turning a phrase displayed on this captivating debut under her current nom de pop." [25]
At Knoxville News Sentinel , Chuck Campbell feels the release "may not clearly define who Grey is, but it's fitfully gutsy." [17] Melinda Newman of HitFix told the album "sounds like Grey made the album she wanted to: one that shows her many different sides: lover, fighter, muse... but your appreciation for it will depend upon your tolerance for the often misplaced reliance on beats." [16] At Newsday , Glenn Gamboa alluded to how the listener will "keep waiting for her to show some emotion -- any emotion." [18] At New York Post , Michaelangelo Matos affirmed while "the occasional misfire aside, the R&B-leaning pop rocker knows how to write a hook". [19] Gary Graff of The Oakland Press stated that this is a "somewhat messy 12-song set that seems to pit what Grey wants to be — or thinks she should — against her natural creative leanings." [21] At USA Today , Elysa Gardner told that Grey "has successfully collaborated [with] other artists", but without her collaborators, Grey "conveys less a personality than a variety of poses evoking clichés reinforced by her accessible but unremarkable hip-hop-fueled pop." [24] But, Ted Scheinan of Slant Magazine was against this notion, when he wrote that in "complicating matters further, executive producer Eminem allows far too many cooks in the kitchen, a reflexive inclusivity that leaves the album feeling over-processed." [23]
Scheinan of Slant Magazine feels "Don't Look Down is the sound of an artist negotiating with her own MC impulses, of a talented lyricist whose pop instincts tell her to abridge herself." [23] In addition, Scheinan noted "at heart, Don't Look Down is a vaguely hip-hop-inflected homage to '90s pop, not so much uninteresting as underwhelming and repetitive in its orchestration." [23] At Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the release "come[s] across as nothing more than bubblegum Lana Del Rey." [15] Will Hermes at Rolling Stone called "Final Warning" mere "tabloid fodder and "C'mon Let Me Ride" sounds "like an over-the-top hookup plea", however he wrote "you've gotta love a pop star who titles a song about unplanned pregnancy 'Shit, Man!'" [22] In concluding, Hermes noted the "stirring 'White Suburban' suggests Grey might, in the end, make a more convincing good girl." [22] At Now , Tabassum Siddiqui feels "given Grey's connection to music's biggest headline-makers, it's ironic that her own output isn't all that memorable.". [20] Mark Grondin from Spectrum Pulse gave it a 5/10 said that she struggled to come out from Eminem's shadow and struggled to match the production. And that the album was bland.
It was placed at No. 79 on Amazon's Best Albums of 2013 list. [26]
In its first week of release Don't Look Down debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling 24,000 copies in the United States. [27] The album has sold 62,000 copies in the United States as of August 2016. [28]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) |
| 4:23 | |
2. | "Final Warning" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:40 |
3. | "Wear Me Out" |
| Rotem | 3:30 |
4. | "Religion" |
|
| 3:09 |
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) |
| Alex da Kid | 3:38 |
6. | "Sunshine" |
|
| 3:46 |
7. | "Pulse" |
| 3:39 | |
8. | "Glow in the Dark" |
|
| 3:44 |
9. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) |
|
| 3:27 |
10. | "Clear Blue Sky" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:49 |
11. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" |
| Alex da Kid | 4:02 |
12. | "White Suburban" | Hafermann | Hafermann | 4:43 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) |
| 4:23 | |
2. | "Final Warning" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:40 |
3. | "Wear Me Out" |
| Rotem | 3:30 |
4. | "Religion" |
|
| 3:09 |
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) |
| Alex da Kid | 3:38 |
6. | "Love the Way You Lie Part III" (Original demo bonus track) |
| Hafermann | 4:11 |
7. | "Sunshine" |
|
| 3:46 |
8. | "Pulse" |
| 3:39 | |
9. | "Glow in the Dark" |
|
| 3:44 |
10. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) |
|
| 3:27 |
11. | "Clear Blue Sky" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:49 |
12. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" |
| Alex da Kid | 4:02 |
13. | "Ticking Time Bomb" (bonus track) |
| Alex da Kid | 4:14 |
14. | "White Suburban" | Hafermann | Hafermann | 4:43 |
15. | "Coming Home, Pt. II" (bonus track) | Hafermann | Hafermann | 2:44 |
Total length: | 53:59 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) | 4:22 | ||
2. | "Final Warning" | 3:40 | ||
3. | "Wear Me Out" | 3:28 | ||
4. | "Religion" | 3:08 | ||
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) | 3:38 | ||
6. | "Only Thing I Hear" (featuring Travis Barker) |
|
| 3:21 |
7. | "Sunshine" | 3:45 | ||
8. | "Pulse" | 3:38 | ||
9. | "Glow in the Dark" | 3:44 | ||
10. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) | 3:25 | ||
11. | "Clear Blue Sky" | 3:49 | ||
12. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" | 4:00 | ||
13. | "White Suburban" | 4:41 | ||
Total length: | 48:39 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) | 4:22 | ||
2. | "Final Warning" | 3:40 | ||
3. | "Wear Me Out" | 3:28 | ||
4. | "Religion" | 3:08 | ||
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) | 3:38 | ||
6. | "Weirdo" |
|
| 2:37 |
7. | "Sunshine" | 3:45 | ||
8. | "Pulse" | 3:38 | ||
9. | "Glow in the Dark" | 3:44 | ||
10. | "Beautiful Nightmare" |
|
| 3:29 |
11. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) | 3:25 | ||
12. | "Clear Blue Sky" | 3:49 | ||
13. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" | 4:00 | ||
14. | "White Suburban" | 4:41 | ||
Total length: | 51:24 |
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Albums ( Billboard ) [35] | 25 |
US Billboard 200 [36] | 8 |
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Region | Date | Format | Label |
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Belgium [37] | July 5, 2013 | Digital download | Universal Music |
Italy [38] | |||
Netherlands [39] | |||
Spain [40] | |||
United Kingdom [41] | July 8, 2013 | Interscope Records | |
Canada [42] | July 9, 2013 | CD | |
United States [29] [43] | CD, digital download | KidinaKorner, Interscope | |
July 10, 2013 | CD + autographed Snapback | ||
Australia [44] [45] | July 12, 2013 | CD | Universal Music |
iTunes Session | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | October 15, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | Acoustic pop | |||
Label | ||||
Skylar Grey chronology | ||||
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iTunes Session is the fifth extended play by American singer-songwriter Skylar Grey. It contains nine songs. The EP was released elusively to the iTunes store on October 15, 2013.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | {{{extra_column}}} | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead (iTunes Session)" | 3:43 | ||
2. | "Wear Me Out (iTunes Session)" |
| 3:28 | |
3. | "Room for Happiness (iTunes Session)" |
|
| 3:49 |
4. | "All I Want (iTunes Session)" | 3:45 | ||
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" |
| 3:02 | |
6. | "Sunshine (iTunes Session)" |
| 3:19 | |
7. | "White Suburban (iTunes Session)" |
| 4:25 | |
8. | "S**t, Man! (iTunes Session)" |
| 2:22 | |
9. | "Love the Way You Lie (iTunes Session)" |
| 4:19 |
Holly Brook Hafermann, known professionally as Skylar Grey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Mazomanie, Wisconsin. In 2004, at the age of 17, Grey signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and a recording contract with Machine Shop Recordings under the name Holly Brook. In 2006, she released her debut studio album, Like Blood Like Honey, under the aforementioned labels.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in middle America and is critically acclaimed as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Eminem's global success and acclaimed works are widely regarded as having broken racial barriers for the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him widely controversial, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as an influence for many artists of various genres.
Ramone Johnson, better known by his stage name Cashis, is an American rapper who was born and raised in Chicago, but moved to Irvine, California. He was most notably featured on the Shady Records album Eminem Presents: The Re-Up with Eminem and the record label, and released The County Hound EP in 2007. The County Hound EP sold 6,700 copies in its first week and debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number 106. He's best known for appearing on Eminem's song, "You Don't Know", featuring 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks.
Recovery is the seventh studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on June 18, 2010, by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The album serves as a direct follow-up to Relapse (2009). Production of the album took place during 2009 to 2010 at several recording studios and was handled by various record producers, including Alex da Kid, Just Blaze, Boi-1da, Jim Jonsin, DJ Khalil, Mr. Porter, and Dr. Dre. Eminem also collaborated with artists such as Pink, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, and Slaughterhouse for the album.
"Love the Way You Lie" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna from Eminem's seventh studio album Recovery (2010). The singer and songwriter Skylar Grey wrote and recorded a demo of the song alongside the producer Alex da Kid when she felt she was in an abusive romantic relationship with the music industry. Eminem wrote the verses and chose Rihanna to sing the chorus, resulting in a collaboration influenced by their past experiences in difficult relationships. Recording sessions were held in Ferndale, Michigan, and Dublin, Ireland. Backed by guitar, piano and violin, the track is a midtempo hip-hop ballad with a pop refrain, sung by Rihanna, and describes two lovers who refuse to separate despite being in a dangerous abusive relationship.
The discography of Skylar Grey, an American singer-songwriter consists of four studio albums, seven extended plays (EPs), 21 singles and 14 music videos. Grey was signed to Machine Shop Recordings under the name Holly Brook. She released her debut album Like Blood Like Honey in 2006, but was released from her contract after it did not perform commercially. She began working under the name Skylar Grey in 2010, co-writing the three versions of "Love the Way You Lie" with Alex da Kid, who signed her to his Wonderland Music label. Grey later left KIDinaKORNER/Interscope records and is currently an independent artist.
"I Need a Doctor" is a single by American rapper Dr. Dre featuring fellow American rapper Eminem and American singer Skylar Grey. The song was produced by Alex da Kid and released for digital download through the American iTunes Store on February 1, 2011.
"Love the Way You Lie (Part II)" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fifth studio album Loud (2010). It features American rapper Eminem, who wrote the song alongside Skylar Grey and the producer Alex da Kid. It is the sequel to the hit single "Love the Way You Lie", which appears on Eminem's seventh studio album Recovery. It received positive reviews from critics and was performed for at the American Music Awards of 2010 on November 21, 2010, as part of a medley with "What's My Name?" and "Only Girl (In the World)".
Welcome to: Our House is the second and final studio album by hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, consisting of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". The album was released on August 28, 2012 via Shady Records and Interscope Records. This would also be their only major label album before disbanding on April 26, 2018.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is the eighth studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on November 5, 2013 by Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album is Eminem's last to have the involvement of independent label Web Entertainment. It serves as a sequel to his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). The album was recorded from 2012 to 2013 with several different producers, with Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Nate Ruess, and rapper Kendrick Lamar, among others.
"C'mon Let Me Ride" is a song by American singer Skylar Grey, released December 11, 2012 as the first single from her major-label debut album Don't Look Down (2013). The song, produced by frequent collaborator and longtime producer Alex da Kid and Mike Del Rio, features a guest appearance from American rapper Eminem, who also mixed the record. The song was released to contemporary hit radio in January 2013.
Kidinakorner is an American record company founded in 2011 by British music producer and songwriter Alexander "Alex da Kid" Grant. The company houses a record label, music publishing, commercial production and a marketing agency. The company is home to several prominent acts in the music industry, including Imagine Dragons and X Ambassadors.
"Wear Me Out" is a pop song recorded by American recording artist Skylar Grey for her second studio album Don't Look Down. The song was released on iTunes on June 4, 2013. The song was written by Skylar Grey and J.R. Rotem while its production was handled by the latter. The song was released onto digital outlets on June 4, 2013.
"Money and the Power" is a song by American rapper Kid Ink, produced by N4, Ned Cameron and Jonathan Lauture. The song was released as the second single from his major label debut EP, Almost Home on May 28, 2013, and was later included on the deluxe edition of Ink's studio album My Own Lane. The song peaked at number 70 on the German Singles Chart and at 21 on the UK R&B Chart.
"Survival" is a song by American rapper Eminem. It premiered on August 14, 2013 to promote the multiplayer trailer for the video game Call of Duty: Ghosts, and was initially released as a pre-order bonus when pre-ordering the game. The song was officially released as the second single from The Marshall Mathers LP 2 on October 8, 2013. It features uncredited vocals in the chorus from Liz Rodrigues of the New Royales. Upon its single release, the song debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and upon the album's release, it climbed to a new peak of number 16.
My Garden is the debut studio album by American recording artist Kat Dahlia. It was released on January 13, 2015, by Epic Records, distributed by Vested in Culture. The album was supported by two singles; "Gangsta" and "Crazy", as well as the iTunes' "instant gratification" tracks; "Mirror" and "Clocks".
Cannonball is a single released by American singer and songwriter, Skylar Grey. The song was written by Grey, Sam Harris, Noah Feldshuh, Casey Harris, Adam Levin and Alex da Kid, produced by the latter, and features the band X Ambassadors. "Cannonball" is on FIFA 16 soundtrack, and was announced by The Independent. It received official digital release on September 25, 2015 "Cannonball" will support the US collaborative tour between Grey and X Ambassadors. The song sold around 25,000 digital copies in the United States.
Natural Causes is the third studio album by American recording artist Skylar Grey. It is her second album since her stage name change from Holly Brook to Skylar Grey. It was released on September 23, 2016, by KidinaKorner and Interscope Records.
Revival is the ninth studio album by American rapper Eminem. The album was released on December 15, 2017, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records and Interscope Records. Production for the album took place during 2016 to 2017 at various recording studios. In addition to Eminem himself, music production was handled by various record producers, including Rick Rubin, Fredwreck, Skylar Grey, Alex da Kid, and executive producer Dr. Dre. Revival features guest appearances from artists Beyoncé, Phresher, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, X Ambassadors, Skylar Grey, Kehlani, and Pink.
"Walk on Water" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring vocals by American singer Beyoncé. It was released on November 10, 2017 as the lead single from Eminem's ninth studio album Revival. The song was written by the artists alongside, Skylar Grey, who produced it with Rick Rubin. It has reached the top 10 in Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom, as well as the top 20 in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Lebanon, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States. The music video received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.