Forevher

Last updated

Forevher
Shura - Forevher.png
Studio album by
Shura
Released16 August 2019 (2019-08-16)
Studio
Genre
Length44:00
Label Secretly Canadian
Producer
Shura chronology
Nothing's Real
(2016)		Forevher
(2019)
Singles from Forevher
  1. "Bklynldn"
    Released: 11 March 2019 [3]
  2. "Religion (u can lay your hands on me)"
    Released: 12 June 2019 [4]
  3. "The Stage"
    Released: 15 July 2019 [5]

Forevher (stylized in lowercase) is the second studio album by British musician Shura. It was released on 16 August 2019 by American independent record label Secretly Canadian. The album follows Shura's critically acclaimed debut album, Nothing's Real (2016). The album artwork of Forevher is a reference to the 1882 marble sculpture The Kiss , by French sculptor Auguste Rodin. [6] [7]

Contents

The album was preceded by three singles: "Bklynldn", "Religion (U Can Lay Your Hands on Me)" and "The Stage". "Religion" was supported by a music video; directed by Chloe Wallace.

A deluxe edition of the album was released on 26 March 2021, which contained three new tracks, one demo previously released on Bandcamp in 2020 and five acoustic versions of songs that appeared on the standard edition. A music video was released on 17 February 2021 to accompany one of the deluxe tracks "Obsession".

Composition

Forevher has been described as spacey, super-melodic, immaculately produced pop. [2] It is primarily an electropop [1] and pop [2] record featuring elements of R&B, [8] funk, [9] psychedelic pop, [10] and soul. [11]

Critical reception

Forevher received critical acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 83, based on 15 reviews. [12] Aimee Cliff of Pitchfork stated that Forevher is "looser, livelier and more ecstatic than her debut, detailing the headlong rush of falling in love"; whilst also noting "string flutters mimicking skipped heartbeats, and basslines settling into deep, well-worn grooves." [11] Callum Bains of PopMatters viewed Forevher as an "enjoyably varied album of catchy dance songs, summer jams, and introspective ballads." [10] John Murphy of musicOMH described the sound of the album as "laid-back funk", concluding that the album "is the sound of a woman happy, in love, and going from strength to strength as a songwriter". [8] Writing for NME, El Hunt comments that the record "queers up and skewers the traditional love song, beautifully articulating the giddiness of romance", adding that it "has the feel of a wonkily altered classic, drifting from warm blue pop that colours the sleeve, to quieter interludes." [13] Sophia Simon-Bashall of The Line of Best Fit remarked that the record is "equally insular and nostalgic", adding that the content "feels like an endless dreamscape". They conclude that "Shura has created something hopeful and delightfully light" in Forevher, "setting it apart from much of pop's current offerings." [14]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRankRef.
The Independent The 50 Best Albums Of 201929 [15]
The Line of Best Fit The Best Albums of 2019 Ranked32 [16]
AlbumismThe 50 Best Albums of 201937 [17]
Rough Trade Albums Of The Year - 201950 [18]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.7/10 [19]
Metacritic 83/100 [20]
Review scores
SourceRating
AlbumismStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [21]
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [22]
Clash 8/10 [23]
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [24]
The Line of Best Fit 9/10 [25]
Loud and Quiet 7/10 [26]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [27]
Pitchfork 7.8/10 [28]
The Skinny Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [29]
Sputnikmusic4.3/5 [30]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That's Me, Just a Sweet Melody"
1:12
2."Side Effects"
4:14
3."Religion (U Can Lay Your Hands on Me)"
  • Denton
  • Pott
  • Luke Saunders
4:07
4."The Stage"
4:37
5."Bklynldn"
  • Denton
  • Pott
4:01
6."Tommy"
  • Denton
  • Higginbottom
4:16
7."Princess Leia"
  • Denton
  • Jono Ma
  • Saunders
3:43
8."Flyin'"
  • Denton
  • Pott
3:37
9."Forever"
  • Denton
  • Pott
3:56
10."Control"
  • Denton
  • Pott
5:00
11."Skyline, Be Mine"
  • Denton
  • Pott
5:17
Total length:44:00
Forevher– Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."magazine launch - demo"
  • Pott
  • Denton
0:58
2."elevator girl ft. Ivy Sole"
3:26
3."obsession"
3:31
4."t-shirt"
  • Higginbottom
  • Denton
3:46
5."side effects - acoustic"
  • Denton
  • Pott
3:58
6."religion (u can lay your hands on me) - acoustic"
  • Denton
  • Pott
  • Saunders
4:25
7."the stage - acoustic"
  • Denton
  • Pott
  • Higginbottom
4:42
8."Bklynldn - acoustic"
  • Denton
  • Pott
3:26
9."forever - acoustic"
  • Denton
  • Pott
3:43
Total length:75:50

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Forevher.

Musicians

  • Shura – synths (track 5); programming (tracks 1, 5, 8); vocals (all tracks); piano (tracks 1, 5, 10); guitar (track 6); percussion (tracks 3 - 4, 10, 11)
  • Joel Laslett Pott – guitar (tracks 2 - 11); synths (tracks 2 - 11); programming (all tracks); backing vocals (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 9); percussion (tracks 2 - 5, 8 - 11); piano (tracks 1 - 2, 5, 8 - 9); synth bass (tracks 4, 6 - 7); mellotron (tracks 2, 4, 10); wurlitzer (track 7)
  • Luke Saunders – synths (tracks 3, 11); guitar (tracks 3 - 4, 11); backing vocals (tracks 4 - 5)
  • Liam Hutton – drums (tracks 2 - 5, 8 - 11)
  • Axel Ekermann - bass (tracks 2 - 5, 8 - 11)
  • Rosie Lowe - backing vocals (tracks 2, 5 - 9)
  • Kerry Leatham - backing vocals (tracks 2, 5 - 6, 8 - 9)
  • Reva Gauntlett - backing vocals (tracks 2, 5, 6, 8)
  • Pauline Le Mell - backing vocals (tracks 5, 8)
  • Daniel Moyer - programming (track 3)
  • Peter Gordon - saxophone (tracks 5, 8)
  • Jonny Pilcher - strings arrangement (tracks 5, 8); piano (track 6)
  • Will Miller - trumpet / horn arrangement (track 6)
  • Jono Ma - synths (track 11); percussion (track 11)
  • Orlando Higginbottom - piano (track 4)

Technical

  • Shura – production (all tracks)
  • Joel Laslett Pott – production (all tracks); recording engineering (all tracks)
  • Daniel Moyer - recording engineering (all tracks)
  • Jono Ma - recording engineering (track 11); additional production (track 11)
  • Tom Archer - production assistance (tracks 2 - 3, 5 - 10)
  • Jamie McEvoy - production assistance (track 10)
  • Marta Salogni - mixing (all tracks)
  • Heba Kadry - mastering (all tracks)
  • Nathanael Graham - assistance (tape recording) (track 6)

Artwork

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [31] 32
UK Albums (OCC) [32] 61
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [33] 44
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [34] 19

Related Research Articles

<i>1999</i> (Prince album) 1982 studio album by Prince and the Revolution

1999 is the fifth studio album by the American singer-songwriter and musician Prince, released on October 27, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. It became his first album to be recorded with his band the Revolution. 1999's critical and commercial success propelled Prince to a place in the public psyche and marked the beginning of two years of heightened fame via his following releases.

<i>Hot Space</i> 1982 studio album by Queen

Hot Space is the tenth studio album by the British rock band Queen. It was released on 4 May 1982 by EMI Records in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. Marking a notable shift in direction from their earlier work, they employed many elements of disco, funk, R&B, dance, pop and new wave music on the album. Combined with the ongoing backlash against disco music, this made the album less popular with fans who preferred the traditional rock style they had come to associate with the band. Queen's decision to record a dance-oriented album germinated with the massive success of their 1980 hit "Another One Bites the Dust" in the US.

<i>Spoiled Girl</i> 1985 studio album by Carly Simon

Spoiled Girl is the 12th studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Epic Records, in June 1985.

<i>Coming Around Again</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Carly Simon

Coming Around Again is the 13th studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Arista Records, on April 13, 1987.

<i>Jungle Fever</i> (soundtrack) 1991 soundtrack album by Stevie Wonder

Jungle Fever is a soundtrack album by American R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder, recorded for the film Jungle Fever. It was released by the Motown label on May 28, 1991.

<i>Your Secret Love</i> 1996 studio album by Luther Vandross

Your Secret Love is the tenth studio album by American R&B singer Luther Vandross, released by Epic Records in October 1996. The album's title track won the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 39th Grammy Awards in 1997. The album served as Vandross's final album under Epic Records after being part of the record label for fifteen years.

<i>Ladyhawke</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke is the debut studio album by New Zealand singer and songwriter Ladyhawke. It was released on 19 September 2008 by Modular Recordings. Featuring production by Pascal Gabriel, Greg Kurstin, Kid Gloves, Kish Mauve's Jim Eliot, Paul Harris and Van She's Michael Di Francesco, the album incorporates 1980s-influenced new wave and synth-pop, as well as indie rock. It was promoted by five singles: "Back of the Van", "Paris Is Burning", "Dusk Till Dawn", "My Delirium" and "Magic".

<i>Two Suns</i> 2009 studio album by Bat for Lashes

Two Suns is the second studio album by English singer Natasha Khan, known professionally as Bat for Lashes. It was released on 3 April 2009 by The Echo Label and Parlophone. The album was produced by Khan herself and David Kosten, and features collaborations with members of Yeasayer and Scott Walker. Two Suns was recorded in segments in California, New York City, London, Brighton and Wales.

<i>History of Modern</i> 2010 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

History of Modern is the eleventh studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 20 September 2010 by 100% Records. It is their first album since 1996, and the first to feature the classic four-piece OMD line-up since 1986's The Pacific Age. It was recorded remotely, with band members compiling the tracks via the Internet.

<i>Delirium</i> (Ellie Goulding album) 2015 studio album by Ellie Goulding

Delirium is the third studio album by English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding, released on 6 November 2015 by Polydor Records. Music critics were generally impressed by the overall production of the record, although they were ambivalent in regards to its originality. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, earning Goulding her highest-charting record in the latter country and her highest first-week sales figures in both territories. The album spawned three singles: "On My Mind", "Army" and "Something in the Way You Move".

<i>Nothings Real</i> 2016 studio album by Shura

Nothing's Real is the debut studio album by English singer Shura, released on 8 July 2016 by Polydor Records. The album was met with positive reviews from music critics.

<i>Dua Lipa</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa is the debut studio album by English singer Dua Lipa. It was released on 2 June 2017 through Warner Bros. Records. The album is a dance-pop, electropop, and R&B record with elements of disco, hip hop, and tropical house. It includes a sole guest appearance from Miguel, as well as additional vocals from Chris Martin of Coldplay.

<i>Evolution</i> (Sabrina Carpenter album) 2016 studio album by Sabrina Carpenter

Evolution is the second studio album by American singer Sabrina Carpenter, released on October 14, 2016, by Hollywood Records. Carpenter began recording the album in 2015, shortly after the launch of her first project, Eyes Wide Open until 2016. Musically, Evolution is a dance-pop record, which departs from the folk-pop and teen pop sound of its predecessor.

<i>÷</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Ed Sheeran

÷ ("Divide") is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 3 March 2017 through Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. "Castle on the Hill" and "Shape of You" were released as the album's lead singles on 6 January 2017. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. As of March 2024, the deluxe version of the album is the most streamed album of all time on Spotify.

<i>Love + Fear</i> 2019 studio album by Marina

Love + Fear is the fourth studio album by Welsh singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis and her first under the mononym Marina. It was released in full on 26 April 2019 by Atlantic Records, though the album's first half was released on 4 April 2019 as a surprise. Diamandis took a hiatus after she concluded touring in support of her third studio album Froot (2015) with plans of retiring from music. However, she began working on a new record with several producers like Sam de Jong, Oscar Görres, Joel Little, Jack Patterson, Mark Ralph, James Flannigan, and Oscar Holter during its recording.

<i>Charli</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Charli XCX

Charli is the third studio album by English singer Charli XCX. It was released through Asylum and Atlantic Records UK on 13 September 2019. Charli was preceded by the singles "1999" with Troye Sivan, "Blame It on Your Love" featuring Lizzo, and "Gone" with Christine and the Queens. Charli was also promoted by the promotional singles "Cross You Out" featuring Sky Ferreira, "Warm" featuring Haim, "February 2017" featuring Clairo and Yaeji, and "2099" also featuring Sivan. Musically, it has been described as avant-pop, electropop, futurepop, and hyperpop.

<i>LP1</i> (Liam Payne album) 2019 studio album by Liam Payne

LP1 is the only solo studio album by English singer Liam Payne. It was released on 6 December 2019 through Hampton Records and Capitol Records. The album mixes pop and trap music with hip hop and R&B production, and draws influences from Usher and Justin Timberlake. LP1 was preceded by three singles: "Strip That Down", "Get Low" and "Bedroom Floor", and spawned four further singles, post-release: "Familiar", "Stack It Up", "All I Want " and "Live Forever". Reviews for the record were mixed, according to review aggregator Metacritic, with critics noting how Payne lacked a distinct identity amid the various genres he adopted throughout the track listing.

<i>Rare</i> (Selena Gomez album) 2020 studio album by Selena Gomez

Rare is the third studio album by American singer Selena Gomez, released on January 10, 2020, by Interscope Records. As the executive producer, Gomez worked with many producers, including Ian Kirkpatrick, Jason Evigan, Mattman & Robin, Sir Nolan, Simon Says, The Monsters & Strangerz and David Pramik. Described by Gomez as her "diary from the past few years", Rare is a midtempo pop and dance-pop record, taking cues from electronic, latin pop and R&B styles. Lyrically, the album explores themes of self-love, self-empowerment, self-acceptance, and self-worth. Guest features on Rare are from rappers 6lack and Kid Cudi.

<i>Future Nostalgia</i> 2020 studio album by Dua Lipa

Future Nostalgia is the second studio album by English and Albanian singer Dua Lipa. It was released on 27 March 2020 by Warner Records. Lipa enlisted writers and producers including Jeff Bhasker, Ian Kirkpatrick, Stuart Price, the Monsters & Strangerz, and Koz to create a "nostalgic" pop and disco record containing influences from dance-pop and electronic music. The album was inspired by the music that Lipa enjoyed during her childhood.

<i>On Sunset</i> 2020 studio album by Paul Weller

On Sunset is the fifteenth studio album by English singer-songwriter Paul Weller. It was originally scheduled for release on 12 June 2020, but was delayed until 3 July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. 1 2 "Shura – 'forevher' review". Crack Magazine. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Shura: Forevher review – airy summer jams". the Guardian. August 18, 2019. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  3. ↑ "BKLYNLDN – Single by Shura". Spotify. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ "religion (u can lay your hands on me) – Single by Shura". Spotify. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  5. ↑ "The Stage – Single by Shura". Spotify. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  6. ↑ Minsker, Evan; Strauss, Matthew (June 12, 2019). "Shura Announces New Album forevher, Shares New Song". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  7. ↑ Spruch, Kirsten (June 12, 2019). "Shura Announces New Album 'Forevher,' Drops Cinematic 'Religion' Video: Watch". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Shura - Forevher | Album Reviews". musicOMH. August 12, 2019. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Shura – Forevher – Album review". Loud And Quiet. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Shura's 'forevher' Is an Earnest Depiction of Nascent Love, PopMatters". PopMatters. August 21, 2019. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Shura: forevher". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Forevher by Shura Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Shura – 'Forevher' album review". NME. August 16, 2019. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Shura's forevher is a boldly romantic, optimistic triumph of a second album". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  15. ↑ "The 50 best albums of 2019 – from Tyler, the Creator's IGOR to Weyes Blood's Titanic Rising". The Independent. December 20, 2019. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  16. ↑ "The Best Albums of 2019 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit. December 20, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  17. ↑ "ALBUMISM SELECTS: The 50 Best Albums of 2019". Albumism. November 24, 2019. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  18. ↑ "ALBUMS OF THE YEAR - 2019". Rough Trade. November 14, 2019. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  19. ↑ "forevher by Shura reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Forevher by Shura Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  21. ↑ Hocter, Matthew (September 2, 2019). "Shura Crafts a Powerful Paean to Love & Romance with Revelatory 'forevher'". Albumism. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Forevher - Shura". AllMusic . Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  23. ↑ Barnes, Charlie (August 16, 2019). "Shura - forevher". Clash . Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  24. ↑ Lismore, Kate (August 16, 2019). "Shura - forevher". DIY . Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  25. ↑ Simon-Bashall, Sophia (August 14, 2019). "Shura's forevher is a boldly romantic, optimistic triumph of a second album". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  26. ↑ Wallace, Megan (August 13, 2019). "Shura – Forevher – Album review". Loud and Quiet . Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  27. ↑ Hunt, El (August 16, 2019). "Shura – 'Forevher' album review". NME . Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  28. ↑ Cliff, Aimee (August 15, 2019). "Shura: forevher Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  29. ↑ Skala, Jemima (August 13, 2019). "Shura album review: forevher". The Skinny . Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Review: Shura - forevher". Sputnikmusic. August 17, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  32. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  33. ↑ "{{{artist}}} Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  34. ↑ "{{{artist}}} Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.