Floating on a Dream

Last updated

Floating on a Dream
Avi Kaplan - Floating On A Dream.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
Recorded2018–2022
Genre Americana [1]
Length43:21
Label Fantasy
Producer Shooter Jennings
Avi Kaplan chronology
Lean on Me
(2020)
Floating on a Dream
(2022)
Singles from Floating on a Dream
  1. "First Place I Go"
    Released: November 21, 2021
  2. "All Is Well"
    Released: February 15, 2022

Floating on a Dream is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Avi Kaplan, released on May 20, 2022, through Fantasy Records. It is Kaplan's first studio album since his departure from the a cappella group Pentatonix in 2017. The album is entirely produced by Shooter Jennings, and features a guest appearance from Joy Williams.

Contents

Background

On May 12, 2017, Avi Kaplan announced that he would be leaving the a cappella group Pentatonix after six years. [2] In a video announcing his departure, Kaplan stated that although he enjoyed being in the group, he found it difficult to keep up with their schedule, which required him to spend less time with his family. [3] His final show with the group was held at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, Vermont, on September 3. [4] [5]

Before his announcement, Kaplan began releasing music as an independent artist under the name Avriel & the Sequoias. [6] His debut solo project Sage and Stone was released on June 9, 2017. [7] After leaving Pentatonix, Kaplan parted ways with their label RCA Records and continued to release solo music. [8] On November 5, 2019, he announced his second solo project I'll Get By, which was scheduled to be released on January 24, 2020. [9] Its release was delayed to February 28 due to Kaplan signing with Fantasy Records. [10] [11]

On November 15, 2021, Kaplan released the album's lead single "First Place I Go". [12] He formally announced his debut studio album and released its second single, "All Is Well" featuring singer Joy Williams, on February 15, 2022. [13] [14]

Critical reception

In a positive review, Mark Engleson of Entertainment Focus praised Kaplan's "incredible voice; it’s going to stand out on any project he does. His songwriting and the production here serve to bring out its deep emotional power, making a for highly listenable and enjoyable album." [15]

Track listing

All tracks are produced by Shooter Jennings.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."First Place I Go"
4:49
2."Floating on a Dream"
  • Kaplan
  • Kaleb Jones
  • Smith Curry
3:59
3."On My Way"3:40
4."He Don't Love You Right"
  • Kaplan
  • Ellsworth
  • Michał Nocny
4:32
5."I'm Only Getting Started"
4:01
6."Try to Get It Right"
  • Kaplan
  • Jones
3:39
7."I Can't Lie"
  • Kaplan
  • Jones
3:00
8."All Is Well" (featuring Joy Williams)
2:57
9."Into the Blue"
  • Kaplan
  • Bill Reynolds
4:14
10."When I'm a Fool"
  • Kaplan
  • Jones
3:41
11."My Queen"
  • Kaplan
  • Jones
4:43
Total length:43:21

Personnel

Credits adapted from Fantasy Records. [13]

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart performance for Floating on a Dream
Chart (2022)Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [16] 19
US Top Album Sales (Billboard) [17] 57

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shooter Jennings</span> American musician and record producer

Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings is an American musician and record producer. He is the son of country singers Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. In a career spanning three decades, Jennings has explored a variety of musical genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xscape (group)</span> American R&B group

Xscape is an American girl group from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1990 by Kandi Burruss, Tamera Coggins, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, LaTocha Scott, and Tamika Scott. The following year, Coggins left the group and Xscape became a quartet. They were discovered by Jermaine Dupri who signed the group to his So So Def label. The group released their debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha in 1993, which spawned two top-ten Billboard Hot 100 hits, "Just Kickin' It" and "Understanding". The album sold over one million copies in the United States, earning a platinum-certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentatonix</span> American a cappella group

Pentatonix are an American a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, consisting of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Matt Sallee, and Kevin Olusola. Characterized by their pop-style arrangements with vocal harmonies, scat singing, riffing, vocal percussion, and beatboxing, they produce cover versions of modern pop works or Christmas songs, sometimes in the form of medleys, along with original material. Pentatonix was formed in 2011 and subsequently won the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off, receiving $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music. When Sony's Epic Records dropped the group after The Sing-Off, the group formed its YouTube channel, distributing its music through Madison Gate Records, a label owned by Sony Pictures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Olusola</span> Nigerian-American singer-songwriter, beatboxer, and cellist

Kevin Oluwole Olusola, also known as K.O., is an American singer-songwriter, beatboxer, and cellist. Olusola is best known as the beatboxer of the a cappella group Pentatonix. After the group won NBC's The Sing-Off in 2011, they released eleven albums, which have sold over 2 million records, and have amassed more than two billion views on their YouTube channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Grassi</span> American singer

Mitchell Coby Michael Grassi is an American singer from Arlington, Texas. Known for his high tenor voice, Grassi came to international attention as a founding performer in two groups—the a cappella quintet Pentatonix, and the duo Superfruit with Pentatonix bandmate Scott Hoying. As of September 2023, Pentatonix has released eleven albums and six EPs, have had five songs in the Billboard Hot 100, and won three Grammy Awards as "the first a cappella group to achieve mainstream success in the modern market". As of September 2023, Superfruit's YouTube channel has over 2.4 million subscribers and has accumulated over 483 million views.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avi Kaplan</span> American singer and songwriter

Avriel Benjamin Kaplan is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for being the former vocal bass of the a cappella group Pentatonix from 2011 to 2017. As a part of the group, he released five studio albums, won three Grammy Awards, and sold over six million albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirstin Maldonado</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1992)

Kirstin Taylor Maldonado is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is known for being a vocalist in the a cappella group Pentatonix. With the group, she has released seven studio albums, won three Grammy Awards, and sold over six million albums.

<i>PTX, Volume 1</i> 2012 EP by Pentatonix

PTX, Volume 1 is the debut extended play album by the a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released on June 26, 2012.

<i>PTX, Vol. II</i> 2013 EP by Pentatonix

PTX, Vol. II is the third extended play (EP) by American a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released digitally on November 5, 2013, while physical versions of the album were available from November 12, 2013. As of October 23, 2015, PTX, Vol. II has sold 199,965 copies.

<i>PTX, Vol. III</i> 2014 EP by Pentatonix

PTX, Vol. III is the fourth extended play album by the a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released on September 23, 2014 by RCA Records, although it was released earlier in Australia on September 19, 2014. The extended play contains four covers as well as three original tracks. As of October 23, 2015, PTX, Vol. III has sold 201,226 copies.

<i>Thats Christmas to Me</i> 2014 studio album by Pentatonix

That's Christmas to Me is the third studio album by a cappella group Pentatonix. It is their sixth release overall and their second holiday release following their 2012 EP PTXmas. It only features previously unreleased material. It was released on October 21, 2014 through RCA Records, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentatonix discography</span>

American a cappella group Pentatonix (PTX) has released 11 studio albums, six compilation albums, six extended plays (EPs), 34 singles and 58 music videos. The group won the third season of The Sing-Off in 2011, and subsequently received a recording contract with Sony. In June 2012, Pentatonix released their first extended play, PTX, Volume 1 through Sony-owned independent record label Madison Gate Records. The EP debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200, selling 18,401 copies in its first week of sales. A Christmas EP, PTXmas, was released in November 2012. It was re-released in November 2013 with one of its new tracks, "Little Drummer Boy", debuting at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting in other countries such as Austria, Canada and New Zealand. The EP became the sixth highest-selling Christmas album of 2013, selling over 168,000 copies. In November 2013, Pentatonix released their third EP, PTX, Vol. II which debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200, selling 31,000 copies in its first week of sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Hoying</span> American singer and songwriter

Scott Hoying is an American singer, musician and songwriter who came to international attention as the baritone of the a cappella group Pentatonix and one-half of the music duo Superfruit. As of June 2021, Pentatonix has released eleven albums and two EPs, have had four songs in the Billboard Hot 100, and won three Grammy Awards as "the first a cappella group to achieve mainstream success in the modern market". As of November 2021, Superfruit's YouTube channel has over 2.4 million subscribers, and over 444 million views.

<i>Pentatonix</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Pentatonix

Pentatonix is the fourth studio album by American a cappella group Pentatonix, which was released on October 16, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tauren Wells</span> Musical artist

Tauren Gabriel Wells is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and pastor from Houston, Texas. Wells was the frontman of former Christian band Royal Tailor.

<i>A Pentatonix Christmas</i> 2016 studio album by Pentatonix

A Pentatonix Christmas is the fifth studio album by American a cappella group Pentatonix. It is also their second full-length holiday album since That's Christmas to Me in 2014. Featuring two new original songs, "Good to Be Bad" and "The Christmas Sing-Along", A Pentatonix Christmas debuted on the Billboard 200 at number three with 52,000 albums sold in its first week, and later peaked at number one, selling 206,000 units in its best week. A Pentatonix Christmas marks as their second number one album on the Billboard 200 after Pentatonix. The album also debuted atop the Billboard Holiday Albums chart, their second number one on that chart after That's Christmas to Me. The deluxe edition of the album dropped from number 6 to 200 on the Billboard 200 in 2018, the greatest drop for an album that still remained on the chart, in Billboard history. The album also, with a guest appearance by The Manhattan Transfer, marked the first recording by the fourth iteration of the group, as this was Trist Curless' first participation with the group in a recording since the death of Tim Hauser, whom Curless officially replaced in 2014.

<i>PTX, Vol. IV: Classics</i> 2017 EP by Pentatonix

PTX, Vol. IV: Classics is the fifth extended play album by the a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released by RCA Records on April 7, 2017, and is their first EP since 2014's PTX, Vol. III. It is their final release with original member Avi Kaplan, who left the group later that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Sallee</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1994)

Matthew Levon Sallee is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for being the vocal bass of the a cappella group Pentatonix. Sallee is the newest member of the group, replacing Avi Kaplan after his departure in 2017.

<i>PTX Presents: Top Pop, Vol. I</i> 2018 studio album by Pentatonix

PTX Presents: Top Pop, Vol. I is the sixth studio album by American a cappella group Pentatonix, released on April 13, 2018. It is their first album with bass vocalist Matt Sallee, and without original bass vocalist Avi Kaplan. It is also their first full-length album not to feature any original material.

<i>The Best of Pentatonix Christmas</i> 2019 compilation album by Pentatonix

The Best of Pentatonix Christmas is the first compilation album by American a cappella group Pentatonix. It contains Christmas songs, originally recorded for and included on their holiday albums PTXmas, That's Christmas to Me, A Pentatonix Christmas and Christmas Is Here!, as well as four new songs: "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "God Only Knows", "Joyful, Joyful", and "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". It was released via RCA Records on October 25, 2019. In December 2019, the group toured the United States in support of the album.

References

  1. Gulden, Andrew (May 18, 2022). "REVIEW: Avi Kaplan "Floating On A Dream"". Americana Highways. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  2. Nyren, Erin (May 12, 2017). "Avi Kaplan Exits Pentatonix in Tearful Goodbye Video". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  3. Frankel, Jillian (May 12, 2017). "Pentatonix's Avi Kaplan Announces He's Leaving the Group in Emotional Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  4. Levy, Piet. "Pentatonix salutes departing member Avi Kaplan at sold-out Wisconsin State Fair show". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  5. "ICYMI: Avi's Last Show With Pentatonix - FloVoice". www.flovoice.com. September 7, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  6. Shcherbakova, Liza (July 25, 2017). "Watch Avi Kaplan Cover 'Hey Ya!' With Post-Pentatonix Group Avriel & the Sequoias". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  7. Runtagh, Jordan (July 22, 2017). "Avi Kaplan Talks Going Solo from Pentatonix". People.com. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  8. "Avi Kaplan's Solo Journey Continues With "It Knows Me"". idolator. July 14, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  9. Graff, Gary (February 28, 2020). "Former Pentatonix Member Avi Kaplan Carries Heavy Burdens in 'I'll Get By' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  10. Leimkuehler, Matthew. "Nashville songwriter Avi Kaplan debuts soulful new folk tune, 'Sweet Adeline Pt. 2'". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  11. "Exclusive: Avi Kaplan Shares New Single "It Knows Me," Signs to Fantasy Records". pastemagazine.com. January 23, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  12. "Avi Kaplan Finds Inner Strength on the Hopeful 'First Place I Go'". Fantasy Records. November 12, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Avi Kaplan to Release Floating on a Dream, His Full-Length Debut Solo Album Produced by Shooter Jennings on May 20th via Fantasy Records". Fantasy Records. February 15, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  14. Ells, Blake (March 1, 2022). "Avi Kaplan Teams Up With Joy Williams for Hauntingly Beautiful 'All Is Well' [Listen]". The Boot. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  15. Engleson, Mark (May 19, 2022). "Avi Kaplan – 'Floating on a Dream' Review" . Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  16. "Avi Kaplan Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  17. "Avi Kaplan Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.