| IRL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 July 2023 | |||
| Genre | R&B [1] | |||
| Length | 44:33 | |||
| Label | Warner Music | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Mahalia chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from IRL | ||||
| ||||
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]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.2/10 [4] |
| Metacritic | 80/100 [5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| DIY |   [6] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10 [7] |
| NME |  [1] |
| The Skinny | [8] |
IRL received a score of 80 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. [5] 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". [6] 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". [7] 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". [8]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ready" |
|
| 3:01 |
| 2. | "In My Bag" |
|
| 3:49 |
| 3. | "Terms and Conditions" |
| 3:29 | |
| 4. | "In My Head" (featuring Joyce Wrice) |
|
| 3:30 |
| 5. | "Cheat" (featuring JoJo) |
| 3:22 | |
| 6. | "November" (featuring Stormzy) |
|
| 3:34 |
| 7. | "Hey Stranger" |
|
| 2:43 |
| 8. | "Isn't It Strange?" |
| 2:43 | |
| 9. | "It's Not Me, It's You" (featuring Destin Conrad) |
|
| 3:45 |
| 10. | "Wassup" (featuring Kojey Radical) |
|
| 3:46 |
| 11. | "Lose Lose" |
|
| 3:24 |
| 12. | "Goodbyes" |
|
| 3:57 |
| 13. | "IRL" |
|
| 3:30 |
| Total length: | 44:33 | |||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Musicians
Technical
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) [9] | 24 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) [10] | 81 |
| UK Albums (OCC) [11] | 31 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC) [12] | 2 |
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 14 July 2023 | Warner Music | [13] [14] [15] |
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.
Twelve Months, Eleven Days is the second solo studio album released by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. The album was released by BMG and RCA Records on 11 October 1999. It was to be Barlow's last studio album for 13 years until the release of Sing. Furthermore, this was his last full-length record up until the release of Since I Saw You Last.
Soulbook is the 25th studio album by Rod Stewart. Like his previous five albums, Soulbook features Stewart singing old material; for this album he sings classic material from Motown and the soul genre. It was released on 17 October 2009 and was produced by Steve Tyrell, Steven Jordan and Chuck Kentis.
Young Foolish Happy is the second studio album by English singer Pixie Lott, released on 11 November 2011 by Mercury Records. Lott enlisted previous collaborators Mads Hauge, Phil Thornalley, Toby Gad, Steve Kipner and Andrew Frampton to handle production for the album, in addition to new collaborators such as Tim Powell, The Matrix and Rusko. The album also includes collaborations with artists such as Stevie Wonder and John Legend.
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.
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".
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".
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.
Wonderland is the eighth studio album by English band Take That. It was released on 24 March 2017 through Polydor Records.
Only Human is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Calum Scott, released on 9 March 2018 through Capitol Records. The album was re-released in November 2018 as the "special edition" featuring four additional tracks.
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.
True Meanings is the fourteenth studio album by English singer-songwriter Paul Weller, released on 14 September 2018.
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.
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.
Infinite Things is the fifth studio album by British singer Paloma Faith, released through Sony Music on 13 November 2020.
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.
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 ".
Council Skies is the fourth studio album by English rock band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Produced by Noel Gallagher and longtime engineer Paul Stacey, it was released on 2 June 2023, through Gallagher's label Sour Mash Records. It is the first album Gallagher has recorded in his own recording studio: Lone Star Studios with string sessions taking place at Abbey Road Studios in April 2022. Five singles were released from the album: "Pretty Boy", "Easy Now", "Dead to the World", "Open the Door, See What You Find" and the title track "Council Skies".
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".
Messy is the debut studio album by English singer Olivia Dean. The album was released on 30 June 2023 through EMI. The album was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize.