James Arthur | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1 November 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012–13 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 44:18 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
James Arthur chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from James Arthur | ||||
|
James Arthur is the eponymously titled debut studio album by British singer and songwriter James Arthur. It was released on 1 November 2013 by Syco Music. [5] The album includes the singles "Impossible" (Arthur's X Factor winner's single), and "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You", as well as collaborations with Emeli Sandé and Chasing Grace.
The album debuted at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart, kept off the top spot by Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP 2 . It became the 30th best-selling album of the year in the UK, despite iTunes offering refunds for fans after Arthur became embroiled in a homophobia row. As of 16 February 2017, it has sold over 287,000 copies in the UK.
On 9 December 2012, Arthur won the ninth series of the ITV music competition series The X Factor . [6] As the winner, he was signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music and released a "cover of Shontelle's 2010 single "Impossible", which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart.
On 3 March 2013, Arthur announced via Twitter that would be starting work on his debut album the following morning, stating "Can't wait to get in the studio tomorrow!!". [7] Several tracks on the album feature co-writing and production from Naughty Boy, and collaborations with Emeli Sandé and Chasing Grace, on the tracks "Roses" and "Certain Things" respectively. Naughty Boy said of the album; "It's really cool actually, it's definitely poppy but with an edge and a bit urban. One of the songs that me and Emeli wrote [for him] is like a big orchestral piece and it has no drums. It's a real album, I think a lot of people are going to be surprised with his album." [8]
Arthur performed "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" on The Jonathan Ross Show on 12 October, the Australian version of The X Factor on 14 October, Friday Download on 1 November and Daybreak on 4 November. He also performed at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards [9] and switch on the Christmas lights in London's Oxford Street [10] and in Manchester, with performances in both places as well. [11]
On 11 October, a free download of an acoustic version of "New Tattoo" was available to download on the Amazon MP3 to celebrate the release of the album. [12]
Arthur performed his third single "Recovery" on The X Factor on 1 December 2013. It then debuted at 19 on the UK Singles Chart on 8 December 2013.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 58/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Daily Record | [15] |
Digital Spy | [16] |
The Guardian | [17] |
The Independent | [18] |
London Evening Standard | [19] |
Metro | [20] |
musicOMH | [21] |
Shields Gazette | [22] |
The Times | [23] |
Virgin Media | [24] |
The album received mixed reviews from critics. On Metacritic, it holds an average score of 58 based on ten reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave it 4/5 stars, saying that Arthur has "The angst of Plan B and defiance of Emeli Sandé". [16] Writing for EntertainmentWise, Natalie Palmer wrote, "A mix of soul, rock and a splash of rap to make for an amazing debut...With X Factor's input it's hard not to be worried that even the best acts will come out with completely over-produced manufactured rubbish. However, a year later James Arthur is back with his self-titled debut album and we can assure you it won't disappoint." [25]
Andy Gill of The Independent , however, was more negative. He gave the album two stars and said, "The opener, "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You", is a decent showcase for his burly-voiced brand of R&B pop – but elsewhere, Arthur grossly overdoes the emotional groaning that passes for vocal expression in the album's more overwrought corners." [18] In his review for the Metro , John Lewis stated that "the good moments are overwhelmed by the stench of focus-grouped blandness." and awarded the album two stars. [20] In an extremely negative review, Sylvie Levished of Evigshed mag gave the album 1/5 and wrote "All in All, not really sure if James Arthur's behavior is the best way to promote his music specially when he is just a beginner in the music industry. His album is nothing special. Very different from factor winners, the young songwriter/singer shines until now, with his narcissism, his pride, an extreme disrespectful for his label mates and other young artists, coupled with a big arrogance in media and through his twitter account. If he put as much energy into his music, it would certainly be better. It is cold, without emotion. Not recommended." [26]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" | TMS | 3:21 | |
2. | "Get Down" |
|
| 3:46 |
3. | "New Tattoo" |
| Remi | 3:31 |
4. | "Impossible" |
| 3:29 | |
5. | "Lie Down" |
|
| 2:53 |
6. | "Recovery" |
|
| 4:37 |
7. | "Roses" (with Emeli Sandé) |
|
| 4:14 |
8. | "Supposed" |
| Naughty Boy | 3:50 |
9. | "Suicide" |
|
| 4:11 |
10. | "Is This Love?" |
|
| 3:07 |
11. | "Certain Things" (featuring Chasing Grace) |
| Naughty Boy | 3:53 |
12. | "Smoke Clouds" | Arthur | 3:57 | |
13. | "Flyin'" |
|
| 1:19 |
Total length: | 46:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "Emergency" |
| Mike Dean | 4:07 |
15. | "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" (Acoustic) |
| 3:11 | |
16. | "Impossible" (Acoustic) |
| 4:10 | |
17. | "Get Down" (Acoustic) |
| 4:10 | |
18. | "Supposed" (Acoustic) |
| 3:11 | |
Total length: | 65:03 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
19. | "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" | 3:29 |
Total length: | 68:32 |
(Credits taken from AllMusic and James Arthur's liner notes.)
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Certifications
|
Region | Date | Label | Format |
---|---|---|---|
Austria [54] [55] | 1 November 2013 | Syco |
|
Belgium [56] [57] | |||
Canada [58] | |||
Finland [59] [60] | |||
Germany [61] [62] | |||
Ireland [63] [64] | |||
Netherlands [65] [66] | |||
Sweden [67] [68] | |||
Bulgaria [56] [57] | 4 November 2013 | ||
Denmark [69] [70] | |||
France [54] [55] | |||
Greece [71] [72] | |||
Norway [73] [74] | |||
United Kingdom [28] [75] | |||
Argentina [76] [77] | 5 November 2013 | ||
Armenia [78] [79] | |||
Brazil [80] [81] | |||
Chile [82] [83] | |||
Mexico [84] [85] | |||
Ukraine [86] [87] | |||
Venezuela [88] [89] | |||
Australia [90] [91] | 8 November 2013 | ||
New Zealand [92] [93] |
Our Version of Events is the debut studio album by Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandé. The album was released on 13 February 2012 by Virgin Records, following Sandé's winning of the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards 2012. Though Our Version of Events is her first album release, Sandé has been active in the industry since 2009, most notably appearing on singles by Chipmunk and Wiley. The album features R&B, soul and pop music.
Glassheart is the third studio album by English singer Leona Lewis, released on 12 October 2012 by Syco Music. Glassheart was conceived in 2010 shortly after the completion of Lewis' first headline tour, The Labyrinth. Recording and production took place in Denver, Los Angeles and London; originally the album was due for release in November 2011 but was pushed back several times to accommodate new recording sessions and allow more creative time. The album was the first – and so far only – of Lewis' albums not released in North America.
Talk That Talk is the sixth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on November 18, 2011 by Def Jam Recordings and SRP Records. Talk That Talk was recorded during the Loud Tour between February and November 2011. It was originally planned to be a reissue of her previous studio album Loud (2010). As executive producer, Rihanna enlisted a wide range of producers including Alex da Kid, Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, No I.D., and Stargate to achieve her desired sound. Following in the same vein as Loud, Talk That Talk is a dance-oriented pop/R&B crossover album that incorporates elements of hip hop, dubstep, electronic and house music. The album also contains subtle dancehall influences while its lyrical content and themes revolve around a nihilistic, romantic, and lascivious lover.
The discography of R&B and soul recording artist Emeli Sandé consists of five studio albums, thirty singles and twenty-one music videos
"Wonder" is the debut single released by British record producer Naughty Boy, featuring vocals from Scottish singer and songwriter Emeli Sandé. It was released on 21 October 2012, originally slated as the lead single from Naughty Boy's debut album, Hotel Cabana. "Wonder" is also included on the American version of Sandé's debut album, and as a bonus track on the re-release of her debut album, Our Version of Events.
Demonstration is the second studio album by British rapper Tinie Tempah. The album was released on 4 November 2013 as the follow-up to his commercially successful debut album, Disc-Overy (2010). In December 2010, Tempah announced he was writing for his second album, saying there would be a more electronic and live feel to it. The first two singles from the album, "Trampoline" and "Children of the Sun" were released in the run-up to the album and both managed to enter the top ten of the UK Singles Chart. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Labrinth and Diplo and sees Tempah experimenting with new musical genres.
DNA is the debut studio album by British girl group Little Mix, released on 19 November 2012 through Syco Music and Columbia Records. The recording stages for the album took place between December 2011 and concluded in September 2012. Throughout the recording process, the group worked with several producers, with the album being largely co-written by them and other girl group members, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Shaznay Lewis of All Saints and T-Boz of TLC. The group stated that they were involved in the development of the album as much as possible.
"Beneath Your Beautiful" is a song by British musicians Labrinth and Emeli Sandé. Written by Labrinth, Mike Posner and Sandé, it was promoted as the sixth single from Labrinth's debut album, Electronic Earth (2012), and is included as a bonus track on the US Deluxe Edition of Sandé's debut studio album Our Version of Events. Impacting from 18 October 2012, and following a well-received performance on the ninth series of The X Factor, the single would go on to sell 108,000 copies in the UK during its first week and top the UK Singles Chart. It became Labrinth's first number one single as a lead artist and additionally became his first top 40 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 34. The song was nominated for 'Best British Single' at the 2013 Brit Awards and was ranked the twelfth best-selling single of 2012 in the UK.
"Read All About It, Pt. III" is a song by Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandé, from her debut album, Our Version of Events (2012). The song was written by Sandé, Professor Green, Iain James, Tom Barnes, Ben Kohn and Pete Kelleher and produced by Gavin Powell. It is a sequel to the 2011 hit single "Read All About It", which appears on Professor Green's second studio album, At Your Inconvenience (2011). The song was first performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. It has received positive reviews from critics.
Closer to the Truth is the twenty-fifth studio album by American singer and actress Cher. It was released on September 20, 2013, by Warner Bros. Records. Opting to re-establish her music career, she began planning the project in 2011, shortly after her appearance in the movie Burlesque and the conclusion of her residency show at Caesars Palace. Work continued into 2012 and 2013. While the album was initially planned to be pop rock-oriented, Closer to the Truth ultimately became a prominently dance-inspired record. As executive producer, she enlisted longtime collaborator Mark Taylor to work alongside new producers such as Paul Oakenfold, Billy Mann, Timbaland and MachoPsycho to achieve Cher's desired sound.
Hotel Cabana is the debut studio album by British record producer Shahid "Naughty Boy" Khan, released on 23 August 2013 through Naughty Boy Recordings and Virgin EMI. Khan set up his Naughty Boy Productions record and production company. He would find his break by producing Chipmunk's 2009 top-ten single "Diamond Rings", featuring a then unknown Emeli Sandé. Naughty Boy released his own debut single as a signed artist in 2010. "Never Be Your Woman" samples White Town's 1997 number-one single "Your Woman" and featured British grime artist Wiley and Sandé on the chorus; it reached the top ten in the UK and is included as a bonus track on Hotel Cabana.
A Perfect Contradiction is the third studio album by English recording artist Paloma Faith, released by Sony Music Entertainment on 10 March 2014. Musically, the album is a pop album, with elements of R&B, jazz, soul, Motown and disco. The album received mixed reviews; it spawned six singles; "Can't Rely on You", "Only Love Can Hurt Like This", "Trouble with My Baby", "Ready for the Good Life", "Leave While I'm Not Looking" and "Beauty Remains"; the first two of these charted within the top 10 in the United Kingdom and "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" topped the charts in Australia.
Sorry I'm Late is the second studio album by English recording artist Cher Lloyd. It was released on 27 May 2014, by Epic Records, Syco Music, and Mr. Kanani. Lloyd herself co-wrote five songs on the album, working with new producers and songwriters such as Beth Ditto and Tove Lo. It is her last album released through Epic and Syco. Primarily a pop record, Sorry I'm Late also contains influences of dancehall and hip-hop.
A Town Called Paradise is the fifth studio album by Dutch DJ and record producer Tiësto, released on 13 June 2014 by Musical Freedom, PM:AM Recordings, and Universal Music. Five singles were released: "Pair of Dice", "Red Lights", "Wasted", "Let's Go" and "Light Years Away".
Growing Up in Public is the third studio album by British rapper Professor Green. It was released on 19 September 2014 through Virgin Records. The album features appearances from the likes of Tori Kelly, Example, Mr Probz, Rizzle Kicks and James Craise among others. The album continues the themes covered on his second studio album, At Your Inconvenience (2011).
Sirens is the debut studio album by English electronic music production duo Gorgon City. It was released on 6 October 2014. The album features vocals from Katy B and Jennifer Hudson among others, and writing credits from Kiesza and Emeli Sandé among others. The album debuted at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart.
Never Been Better is the fourth studio album by English recording artist Olly Murs. It was released through Epic Records on 21 November 2014 in Ireland and 24 November in the United Kingdom.
Listen is the sixth studio album by French DJ and record producer David Guetta. It was released on 21 November 2014. It features collaborations with artists from the R&B, hip hop, alternative rock and pop worlds such as Sam Martin, Emeli Sandé, The Script, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Nico & Vinz, Ryan Tedder, Sia, Magic!, Bebe Rexha, South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ms. Dynamite, Elliphant, Birdy, Jaymes Young, Sonny Wilson, Vassy, and Skylar Grey. It also features additional production from Guetta's frequent collaborator Giorgio Tuinfort, Avicii, Afrojack, Nicky Romero, Showtek, and Stadiumx among others, with additional writing credits from Austin Bisnow, Jason Evigan, Julie Frost, and The-Dream among others.
Fifty Shades of Grey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the film of the same name adapted from E. L. James's eponymous novel that was released through Republic Records on February 10, 2015. It was the seventh best-selling album of 2015 with 2.2 million copies sold worldwide.
Long Live the Angels is the second studio album by Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandé, released on 11 November 2016 by Virgin Records. The lead single from the album, "Hurts", was released on 16 September 2016. Sandé embarked on a European tour to support the album, with dates in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden.