IRL (album)

Last updated
IRL
Mahalia - IRL.png
Studio album by
Mahalia
Released14 July 2023 (2023-07-14)
Genre R&B [1]
Length44:33
Label Warner Music
Producer
  • Hart
  • Grades
  • JD Reid
  • Raye
  • Spencer Stewart
  • TheElements
Mahalia chronology
Love and Compromise
(2019)		IRL
(2023)
Singles from IRL
  1. "Letter to Ur Ex"
    Released: 22 February 2022
  2. "Bag Of You"
    Released: 11 November 2022
  3. "Terms and Conditions"
    Released: 5 April 2023
  4. "Cheat"
    Released: 8 June 2023
  5. "Ready"
    Released: 7 July 2023

IRL (initialism for In Real Life) is the second studio album by British singer-songwriter Mahalia. The album was released on 14 July 2023 through Warner Music. [2] The album was inspired by the singer's "traumatic breakup" and her visits to "therapy". [3] In support of the album, Mahalia toured the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Australia, commencing in October 2023 in Leeds [4] and concluding in Brisbane, Australia on 8 May 2024. [5] [6]

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 7.2/10 [7]
Metacritic 80/100 [8]
Review scores
SourceRating
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]
The Line of Best Fit 7/10 [10]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
The Skinny Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]

IRL received a score of 80 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. [8] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.2 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. Elle Barton of DIY called the album a "delight", writing that it strikes "a perfect balance between familiarity and unpredictability, immediate choruses coexisting with a relaxed, breezy sound". [9] NME 's Erica Campbell described the album as "bold, vulnerable, classic R&B", with IRL "reflect[ing] a young woman fully becoming herself, not just confidently throwing her hands up but boldly letting her guard down too". [1]

Red Dziri of The Line of Best Fit wrote that "Mahalia is not casting as wide a net as she did in her career-defining debut" and "if IRL is not as consistent as her previous output, this new album still cements Mahalia as a major R&B/Soul fixture both nationally and abroad". [10] Lucy Fitzgerald, reviewing the album for The Skinny , found it to be "satiny and consistent, [but] sonically and lyrically you're eager for some bigger swings. [...] IRL is like a path reflecting dappled sunlight: we can see patches of brightness but its full light is obscured". [11]

Track listing

IRL track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ready"
  • Hart
  • JD Reid
  • Cameron Gower Poole [v]
3:01
2."In My Bag"
  • Burkmar
  • Abby-Lynn Keen
  • Paul Goller
  • Keven Wolfsohn
  • TheElements
  • Poole [v]
3:49
3."Terms and Conditions"
3:29
4."In My Head" (featuring Joyce Wrice)
  • Burkmar
  • Hart
  • Pope
  • Reid
  • Anthony Watts
  • Joyce Wrice
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:30
5."Cheat" (featuring JoJo)
3:22
6."November" (featuring Stormzy)
  • Hart
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:34
7."Hey Stranger"
  • Burkmar
  • Pope
  • Reid
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
2:43
8."Isn't It Strange?"
2:43
9."It's Not Me, It's You" (featuring Destin Conrad)
  • Burkmar
  • Destin Conrad
  • Hart
  • Bernard Kawka
  • Pope
  • Reid
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:45
10."Wassup" (featuring Kojey Radical)
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:46
11."Lose Lose"
  • Burkmar
  • Hart
  • Pope
  • Reid
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:24
12."Goodbyes"
  • Burkmar
  • Hart
  • Pope
  • Reid
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:57
13."IRL"
  • Burkmar
  • Hart
  • Pope
  • Reid
  • JD Reid
  • Poole [v]
3:30
Total length:44:33
IRL (Deluxe) track listing
No.TitleLength
14."Slowly"3:08
15."Mani Pedi"3:11
16."Bag of You"3:18
17."Terms and Conditions (Live) - Vevo Studio Performance"3:37
18."Letter to Ur Ex"2:15
19."Plastic Plants"3:20
Total length:63:22

Notes

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart performance for IRL
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) [12] 24
Scottish Albums (OCC) [13] 81
UK Albums (OCC) [14] 31
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [15] 2

Release history

Release dates and formats for IRL
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
Various14 July 2023 Warner Music [16] [17] [18]

Notes

  1. ↑ Wired Strings consists of cellist Rosie Danvers, violists Bryony Mycroft and Meghan Cassidy, and violinists Ellie Stanford, Hayley Pomfrett, Jenny Sacha, Miles Brett, Patrick Kiernan, Sally Jackson, and Stephen Morris.

Related Research Articles

<i>Read My Lips</i> (Sophie Ellis-Bextor album) 2001 studio album by Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Read My Lips is the debut studio album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 3 September 2001 by Polydor Records. After the disbandment of the Britpop group Theaudience, in which Ellis-Bextor served as vocalist, she was signed to Polydor. Prior to the LP's completion, the singer collaborated with several musicians, including band Blur's bassist Alex James, Moby and New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander. The record was described as a collection of 1980s electronica and 1970s disco music.

<i>Never Gone</i> 2005 studio album by Backstreet Boys

Never Gone is the fifth studio album released by American vocal group Backstreet Boys as the follow-up to their fourth studio album Black & Blue (2000), after a short hiatus. Never Gone was originally due for release in 2004, but the release date for the album was pushed to June 14, 2005, for unknown reasons.

<i>Born to Die: The Paradise Edition</i> 2012 studio album (reissue) by Lana Del Rey

Born to Die: The Paradise Edition is the reissue of American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey's major-label debut studio album Born to Die (2012). It was released on November 9, 2012, by Interscope and Polydor Records. Released ten months after the original, The Paradise Edition features eight newly recorded tracks, which were simultaneously made available on the standalone extended play Paradise (2012). Although having worked with several producers for each record, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels are the only producers whose contributions are featured on both discs.

<i>Roxette XXX – The 30 Biggest Hits</i> 2014 greatest hits album by Roxette

Roxette XXX – The 30 Biggest Hits is the sixth greatest hits compilation album by Swedish pop duo Roxette, released on 3 November 2014 by Roxette Recordings in conjunction with Parlophone and Warner Music Group.

<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>Wake Up</i> (The Vamps album) 2015 studio album by the Vamps

Wake Up is the second studio album by British pop band the Vamps. It was released on 27 November 2015. It debuted and peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart and has been certified Gold.

<i>Beautiful Lies</i> (Birdy album) 2016 studio album by Birdy

Beautiful Lies is the third studio album by British musician Birdy, released on 25 March 2016 by Atlantic Records. The album includes the singles "Keeping Your Head Up", "Wild Horses", "Words", and "Hear You Calling".

<i>Made in the Manor</i> 2016 studio album by Kano

Made in the Manor is the fifth studio album by British rapper Kano. The album was released on 4 March 2016 by Parlophone Records and Bigger Picture Music. It is Kano's first album release for six years following Method to the Maadness (2010), featuring guest appearances from Wiley, Giggs, Jme and Damon Albarn. The production was handled by frequent collaborators Mikey J, Fraser T Smith, Blue May and Damon Albarn, alongside Jodi Milliner, Kwes, Mele, Rustie, Sam Beste, Swifta Beater and Zeph Ellis.

<i>Wonderland</i> (Take That album) 2017 studio album by Take That

Wonderland is the eighth studio album by English band Take That. It was released on 24 March 2017 through Polydor Records.

<i>Youngblood</i> (5 Seconds of Summer album) 2018 studio album by 5 Seconds of Summer

Youngblood is the third studio album by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. The album was initially set to be released on 22 June 2018, but was later brought forward to 15 June. Four singles were released in support of the album: "Want You Back", "Youngblood", "Valentine" and "Lie to Me". The album was released to positive reviews, with critics praising the lyrical maturity and the sound change from their previous work. In support of the album, the band embarked on the Meet You There Tour.

<i>My Wildest Dreams</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Claire Richards

My Wildest Dreams is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Claire Richards, released on 1 February 2019, through Sony Music Entertainment. The album was preceded by three singles; "On My Own", "End Before We Start", "Shame On You" and one promotional single, "Deep Waters".

<i>III</i> (Banks album) 2019 studio album by Banks

III is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Banks, released on July 12, 2019, by Harvest Records. It was preceded by the release of three singles, "Gimme", "Look What You're Doing to Me", and "Contaminated". The album peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200.

<i>You</i> (James Arthur album) 2019 studio album by James Arthur

You is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter James Arthur. Released on 18 October 2019, it spawned the singles "Naked", "Empty Space", "Falling Like the Stars", "Treehouse", "Finally Feel Good", "You", and "Quite Miss Home". Arthur embarked on the You – Up Close and Personal tour in North America from 13 September 2019 to 23 September 2019 and was on the UK You – Up Close and Personal tour until 29 October 2019. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

<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>=</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Ed Sheeran

= ("Equals") is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 29 October 2021 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was supported by five singles: "Bad Habits", "Shivers", "Overpass Graffiti", "The Joker and the Queen", and "2step". The song "Visiting Hours" was released as a promotional single.

<i>Dance Fever</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Florence and the Machine

Dance Fever is the fifth studio album by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine, released on 13 May 2022 by Polydor Records. Work on the album was originally scheduled for early 2020 in New York City; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recording took place in London instead. Frontwoman Florence Welch has cited Iggy Pop as the biggest musical influence on the album; which features a variety of styles, ranging from progressive pop to indie pop, disco, and industrial music.

<i>About Last Night...</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Mabel

About Last Night... is the second studio album by English singer Mabel. It was released on 15 July 2022 through Polydor UK, and serves as the follow-up to her debut album, High Expectations (2019). Production of the album took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the singer deciding to explore new sounds after watching TV shows such as Pose and RuPaul's Drag Race, while also listening to dance songs by Madonna, Whitney Houston and Cece Peniston.

<i>Being Funny in a Foreign Language</i> 2022 studio album by the 1975

Being Funny in a Foreign Language is the fifth studio album by English band the 1975. It was released on 14 October 2022 by Dirty Hit. The album was recorded primarily at Real World Studios in Wiltshire. The band released the lead single "Part of the Band" on 7 July 2022, which was followed by the subsequent singles "Happiness", "I'm in Love with You", "All I Need to Hear", "About You", "Oh Caroline", and "Looking for Somebody ".

<i>You & I</i> (Rita Ora album) 2023 studio album by Rita Ora

You & I is the third studio album by English singer Rita Ora. It was released on 14 July 2023 through BMG. The album is her first solo studio release since Phoenix (2018). You & I was preceded by four singles: "You Only Love Me", "Praising You", "Don't Think Twice" and "Shape of Me".

<i>Venus</i> (Zara Larsson album) 2024 studio album by Zara Larsson

Venus is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 9 February 2024 through Sommer House and Epic Records. A dance-pop album, Venus includes themes of love, heartbreak and also explores Larsson’s personal relationships with her family and friends. The album was described by Larsson as a "full-on rollercoaster ride of emotion".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Campbell, Erica (13 July 2023). "Mahalia: IRL review: bold, vulnerable, classic R&B". NME . Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "Mahalia Announces 'IRL' Album Release and UK Tour Dates". V13. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Lauren Spencer Smith Announces Debut Studio Album Mirror". NME . Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  4. ↑ JOSHLOMAT (9 October 2023). "UK & EUROPE!! The @mahalia tour starts today with my brothers @noguidnce Pull up & bring your energy, it's gonna be a movie! Tickets are still available for certain dates. NG2DAWORLD". Instagram. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  5. ↑ "MAHALIA ANNOUNCES 2024 NORTH AMERICA LEG OF THE 'IN REAL LIFE' TOUR". Live Nation Entertainment. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  6. ↑ Fry, Courtney (25 January 2024). "Mahalia is bringing her In Real Life tour to Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Triple J. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "Mahalia – IRL". AnyDecentMusic?. 14 July 2023.
  8. 1 2 "IRL by Mahalia Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  9. 1 2 Barton, Elle (13 July 2023). "Mahalia: IRL review". DIY . Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  10. 1 2 Dziri, Red (12 July 2023). "Mahalia: In Real Life Review". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  11. 1 2 Fitzgerald, Lucy (10 July 2023). "Mahalia album review: IRL". The Skinny . Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2023. 29. hét". MAHASZ . Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  15. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  16. ↑ "IRL by Mahalia" . Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "IRL[VINYL]:Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl". Amazon Music. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "IRL by Mahalia on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
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.