James (EP)

James
EP by Phoebe Ryan
Released	October 27, 2017
Recorded	2016–2017
Genre	Pop synth-pop electropop R&B
Length	17:26
Label	Columbia
Producer	Valley Girl Antti Hynninen Big Taste
Phoebe Ryan chronology
Mine (2015) James (2017)
Singles from James
"Forgetting All About You" Released: August 4, 2017 "Be Real" Released: September 8, 2017 "James Has Changed" Released: October 6, 2017

James is the second extended play by American singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan, released on October 27, 2017 by Columbia Records. It serves as the follow-up to her 2015 extended play, Mine (2015). ^[1] The EP was preceded by the release of three singles, and was promoted by a tour span from late October to mid-November 2017.

Background and composition

James is a pop EP that bases its musical composition in 1980s-inspired synth-pop, modern electropop, and contemporary R&B. The album lyrically chronicles a relationship from beginning to end. ^[2]

Promotion

Singles

• "Forgetting All About You" featuring American R&B singer, blackbear was released on August 4, 2017 as the lead single from the EP. It was supported by both a music video and a performance at the Billboard Hot 100 Festival. ^[3]
• "Be Real" was released as the second single on September 8, 2017. ^[4] A remix EP was released the same month. ^[5]
• "James Has Changed" was released as the third and final single on October 6, 2017. ^[6]

Tour

In addition to the three singles being promoted, Ryan also embarked on a tour in support of the extended play. The tour began on October 31, 2017 and concluded on November 14, 2017. ^[7]

Critical reception

Mike Wass of Idolator gave the album a positive review; he praised Ryan for "[examining] matters of the heart with rare honesty and a razor-sharp wit. Each song leads effortlessly into the next, which is no easy feat considering that they explore wildly different sounds." ^[8]

Track listing

Digital download ^[9]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer	Length
1.	"Should I"	Phoebe Ryan Kyle Shearer Nate Campany	Valley Girl	3:05
2.	"Be Real"	Ryan Shearer Campany	Valley Girl	3:42
3.	"Aspirin"	Ryan Lucas Nordqvist Antti Hynninen Jurek Reunamäki	Antti Hynninen	3:57
4.	"James Has Changed"	Ryan Joonas Laaksoharju Leroy Clampitt Axel Ehnström	Big Taste	3:22
5.	"Forgetting All About You" (featuring blackbear)	Ryan Matthew Musto Clampitt Joseph Kirkland Jason Dean	Big Taste	3:20
Total length:				17:26

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. ^[10]

Phoebe Ryan – lead vocals, songwriting Kyle Shearer – songwriting (tracks 1–2), record engineering (tracks 1–2) Nathaniel Campany – songwriting (tracks 1–2) Valley Girl – production (tracks 1–2) Joe Zook – mix engineering (track 1) Paul Hammond – engineer assistance (track 1) Mitch McCarthy – mix engineering (track 2) Justin Shturtz – master engineering Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young – mix engineering (tracks 3–5)

Lucas Nordqvist – songwriting (track 3) Jurek Reunamäki – songwriting (track 3) Frans Mernick – record engineering (track 3) Antti Hynninen – songwriting, production, record engineering (track 3) Joonas Laaksoharju – songwriting (track 4) Axel Ehnström – songwriting (track 4) Big Taste – songwriting, production (tracks 4–5) Blackbear – featured artist, songwriting (track 5) Joseph Kirkland – songwriting (track 5) Jason Dean – songwriting (track 5)

References

1. "Phoebe Ryan designs fall tour". AXS. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
2. "The Drop: Your Guide To New Music Friday Featuring LAUV & Nicole Millar". idolator. October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
3. Hudelson, Molly (August 22, 2017). "PHOTOS: Phoebe Ryan gets things started at Billboard Hot 100 Festival". Substream Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
4. "Phoebe Ryan Makes An Honest Plea On The Super Sparkling "Be Real"". The FADER. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
5. "Phoebe Ryan's "Be Real" Gets A Massive NOTD Remix". idolator. September 21, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
6. James Has Changed - Single by Phoebe Ryan, October 6, 2017, retrieved May 18, 2018
7. "Phoebe Holiday Ryan on Instagram: "Tour starts so soon. 💚 Philly 10.31 The Filmore NYC 11.1 Music Hall of Williamsburg DC 11.2 U Street Music Hall Boston 11.3 Brighton Music..."". Instagram. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
8. "Phoebe Ryan On Her 'James' EP, Birdwatching & Britney Spears: Interview". idolator. November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
9. "James - EP by Phoebe Ryan on Apple Music". iTunes . October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
10. "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.