Music to Make Boys Cry | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 13 September 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2010–13 | |||
Genre | Electropop [1] | |||
Length | 37:13 | |||
Label | So Recordings | |||
Producer |
| |||
Diana Vickers chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Music to Make Boys Cry | ||||
|
Music to Make Boys Cry is the second studio album by English singer and songwriter Diana Vickers, released on 13 September 2013 by So Recordings. The album's lead single, "Cinderella", was released to digital retailers on 21 July 2013. [2] The album features production from the likes of David Gamson, Simen Eriksrud and Ant Whiting, and as well as "Cinderella", includes two tracks previously premiered online - the title track itself and "Boy in Paris". [3] On 24 July 2013, Vickers unveiled the album's artwork and track listing via Amazon. [4]
In June 2010, Vickers announced that she had started preparing songs for a second album. [5] In an interview with Orange, Vickers revealed that the new direction would be "sexy", "adventurous" and inspired and influenced by indie and rock music, citing the works of The xx, The Doors, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Björk. [6] Vickers has co-written material with Nerina Pallot (who penned "Put It Back Together" for Vickers' debut album), Eg White (who co-wrote "Once"), Starsmith, Chris Braide and Dee Adam (who co-wrote "My Wicked Heart" with Vickers). [7] On 6 January 2011 Vickers travelled to Los Angeles, United States, to co-write material with John Shanks and Diane Warren. On 15 January 2011 Vickers played her debut gig in the United States at Cherry Pop in West Hollywood promoted via Perez Hilton. [8]
Vickers made a second visit to Los Angeles on 14 March 2011 to do further studio work with John Shanks. On 30 June 2011 Vickers revealed on her official Tumblr account that she had parted company with RCA Records due to creative differences. [9] She went on further to assure her fans that the second album is still proceeding and that she is proud of it. It was uncertain whether Vickers would be signed to a new record label or would release her album independently. Vickers was signed to So Recordings in early 2013.
On 1 July 2011 it was reported that the mutual separation between Vickers and her management was due to musical direction where Vickers wants to pursue a more indie, less commercial route. [9] On 13 July 2011 Popjustice reviewed three tracks from Vickers' second album, "Boy in Paris", "Cinderella" and "Music to Make the Boys Cry", commenting that the songwriting standard was extremely high and that "the tunes – the melodies – are huge". The article presented how the three tracks were a result of studio sessions with Donkeyboy and Miranda Cooper. [10]
On 9 December 2011, Vickers released the promotional single "Music to Make Boys Cry" for free download on her website. A week later, "Kiss of a Bullet", a second promotional track, was released free of charge by asking fans to publish a Twitter or Facebook post to gain access to the download. [11] On 8 and 9 February 2012, Vickers showcased material from her second album in a mini-tour at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester and Cargo in Shoreditch, London. Songs performed by Vickers were: "Music to Make Boys Cry", "Kiss of a Bullet", "Boy in Paris", "Lightning Strikes", "Better in French", "Dead Heat" and "Smoke". [12]
In April 2012 a new song by Vickers titled "Low" leaked online. [13] In July 2012 another new song titled "Colours" had leaked online. [14] Vickers later cited Blondie, Kylie Minogue, Madonna and Robyn as the album's main influences. [15] On 4 December 2012 another new song "Bright Eyes" leaked online. Following this, Vickers ruled out the leaked tracks appearing on the album. [16] On 29 July 2013, the album was available for pre-order on iTunes.
"Cinderella" was released as the lead single on 21 July 2013. Co-written by Miranda Cooper of Xenomania fame, the video features Vickers attending a party at a mansion and falling in love with one of the guests there. The video premiered during the week commencing 27 May 2013. The single premiered on BBC Radio 1 in April 2013.
"Music to Make Boys Cry" is the title track released alongside the album on 15 September 2013. The track starts downbeat but soon morphs into a very modern empowerment anthem. Vickers explains the concept actually came about because she was on an aeroplane and saw the phrase ‘music to make boys cry’ in a newspaper article and got really excited and wanted to make a song that had that included.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Attitude | 4/5 [17] |
Digital Spy | [18] |
Gigwise | [19] |
MuuMuse | very positive [20] |
omg! | positive [21] |
So So Gay | [22] |
Music to Make Boys Cry received generally positive reviews, with many music critics praising the contribution of songwriter and producer Miranda Cooper. [17] [20] [22] Siobhan Frew of Gigwise wrote that Music to Make Boys Cry "mixes modern pop sounds with a tribute to the eighties synth pop era" and described it as "an impressive record" that "maintains a consistently good throughout, with each track standing on its own merits." [19] Attitude magazine called it "a first class effort" and described it as "a collection of knockout pop tunes," with "catchy hooks, fresh production and clever lyrics." [17] Andy Hastings of So So Gay hailed it as "one of the most straightforward, melodic, carefree and yet totally accomplished pop albums in years," and stated that "this is precisely how modern pop should be done." [22] Bradley Stern of MuuMuse found the album "full of gorgeous melodies and sticky hooks" and placed it "up there with other sparkling mid-naughties electro-pop productions, including [...] What Will the Neighbours Say? , [...] State of Mind and [...] Come and Get It ." [20] Jon O'Brien of omg! called it "a vibrant and unexpectedly glittery second effort which deserves to find a much wider audience than it will inevitably receive." [21] John Copsey of Digital Spy gave a more moderate review, saying that the album lacks "Diana's own stamp" and felt that it "loses its way by the finish." However, he concluded by stating that "there's little denying Vickers's knack for a giant pop hook." [18]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Music to Make Boys Cry" | Diana Vickers, Miranda Cooper, Simen Eriksrud, Simone Larsen [23] | 3:30 |
2. | "Cinderella" | Vickers, Cooper, Eriksrud, Larsen [24] | 3:43 |
3. | "Lightning Strikes" | Vickers, Cooper, David Gamson | 3:31 |
4. | "Dead Heat" | Vickers, Cooper, Eriksrud, Rachel Moulden | 3:48 |
5. | "Boy in Paris" | Vickers, Cooper, Gamson [25] | 3:33 |
6. | "Mad at Me" | Vickers, Cooper, Dee Adams, Daniel Radcliffe | 3:15 |
7. | "Smoke" | Vickers, Cooper, Cramer | 3:56 |
8. | "Mr. Postman" | Vickers, Cooper, Jimmy Harry, Gerard O'Connell | 3:41 |
9. | "Better in French" | Vickers, Cooper, Gamson | 3:49 |
10. | "Blame Game" | Vickers, Cooper, Eriksrud, Larsen, Espen Berg [26] | 4:27 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
11. | "Cinderella" (Acoustic version) | Vickers, Cooper, Eriksrud, Larsen | 3:46 |
12. | "Music to Make Boys Cry" (Acoustic version) | Vickers, Cooper, Eriksrud, Larsen | 3:26 |
13. | "Better in French" (Acoustic version) | Vickers, Cooper, Gamson | 3:11 |
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Irish Independent Albums Chart [27] | 19 |
Scottish Albums Chart [28] | 52 |
UK Albums Chart [29] | 37 |
UK Independent Albums Chart [30] | 9 |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Edition |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ireland | 13 September 2013 | CD, digital download | So Recordings | Standard, deluxe |
United Kingdom | 15 September 2013 | |||
United States | 17 September 2013 | Digital download | Silva Screen Records | Deluxe |
Bonnie Leigh McKee is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut album, Trouble, was released in 2004 by Reprise Records. After underperforming McKee was dropped by her label and took a musical hiatus before establishing herself as a songwriter. She has written 10 singles that have reached number one in either the United States or the United Kingdom, which have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide combined. In 2013, McKee made a return to music with many singles, including "American Girl". She independently released an EP, Bombastic (2015).
Nicola Maria Roberts is a British pop singer. She rose to prominence in late 2002 upon winning a place in Girls Aloud, a girl group created through ITV's Popstars: The Rivals. The group's success helped them win the competition and they were later entered in Guinness World Records as the most successful reality television music-group. They enjoyed 20 consecutive top-ten singles, spawning five albums and positive critical responses.
Syco Music is a defunct division of Syco Entertainment founded by British entrepreneur and record executive Simon Cowell. Originally founded as S Records, the label launched while Cowell was still employed by BMG, the label oversaw music releases by Robson & Jerome, Five, Westlife and Teletubbies. A year later, BMG, now named Sony BMG, bought Cowell's share in both Syco Music and Syco Television. Later in 2010, Cowell and Sony Music entered a joint venture agreement that would see Cowell and Sony each own 50% of the new Syco Entertainment company which encompassed both the previous Syco TV and Syco Music divisions. The brand had multiple well-known acts signed such as Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello, One Direction, Little Mix and CNCO. In July 2020, Sony sold the rights to the television formats and assets back to Cowell, effectively divesting all of Syco's non-music divisions. As part of the venture, Syco Music, its current roster and back catalog remains with Sony Music as a wholly owned subsidiary. However, as of September 2020, and according to industry magazine Music Week, the label is now defunct, with staff either leaving or being redeployed elsewhere within the Sony Music group.
The Script are an Irish rock band formed in 2001 in Dublin, by lead vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist Danny O'Donoghue, lead guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power. The band moved to London after signing to Sony Label Group imprint Phonogenic and released their first album The Script in August 2008, preceded by the debut single "We Cry" as well as other singles such as "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", "Breakeven" and "Before the Worst". The album peaked at number one in both Ireland and the UK. Their next three albums, Science & Faith (2010), #3 (2012) and No Sound Without Silence (2014), all topped the album charts in Ireland and the UK, while Science & Faith reached number two in Australia and number three in the United States. Some of the hit singles from the albums include "For the First Time", "Nothing", "Hall of Fame" and "Superheroes". The band's fifth studio album, Freedom Child, was released on 1 September 2017, and features the UK Top 20 single "Rain". Their sixth studio album, Sunsets & Full Moons, was released on 8 November 2019, and features the single "The Last Time". A Greatest Hits album was released on 1 October 2021.
Diana Vickers is an English singer, songwriter and actress. She was semi-finalist on The X Factor in 2008. Vickers signed a record deal with RCA Records and, after touring with her fellow finalists from The X Factor, played the title role in a West End revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
Victoria Louise Lott, better known by her stage name Pixie Lott, is an English singer and songwriter. Her debut album, Turn It Up, released in September 2009, reached number six on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 1.5 million copies. It also spawned six consecutive top twenty singles on the UK Singles Chart, including two number-one singles, "Mama Do " and "Boys and Girls".
This Is Us is the seventh studio album from American pop group Backstreet Boys. Serving as a follow-up to Unbreakable (2007), it was released on September 30, 2009 in Japan through Sony Music Japan, October 5, 2009 in the UK through RCA, and October 6 in the US.
Overcome is the debut studio album by British singer Alexandra Burke, released 19 October 2009 on Syco Music. The release of the album came a year after Burke won the British talent show, The X Factor, with the recording process taking place between 2008 and 2009. Critics praised the album for showcasing Burke's vocal charm and characterisation, comparing her vocal to American singers Anastacia and Whitney Houston and its contemporary finish; using a variety of acclaimed producers including RedOne and Ne-Yo.
Wordshaker is the second studio album by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays, released on 12 October 2009 through Fascination Records. It is the group's first album to feature a song where they are credited as writers. Upon release the album peaked at number nine on the UK Albums Chart, but the following week fell out of the top 30. In August 2010, the album was removed from digital music platforms, due to their EP "Headlines!", being released featuring some of the same material. In August 2018, the album returned to digital music platforms following a request to the label by the Pop Music Activism Twitter account.
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Diana Vickers. Originally set for a November 2009 release, the album was postponed due to Vickers' leading role in the West End play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, and it was finally released on 3 May 2010 in the United Kingdom.
"The Boy Who Murdered Love" is a song by English singer and songwriter Diana Vickers from her debut studio album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (2010). It was written by Vickers and the song's producer Chris Braide. The song was released as the album's second and final single as a digital download on 18 July 2010 with the CD single released the next day. A demo of the song has surfaced online after accidentally being uploaded to Vickers's Myspace page where it remains.
Insatiable is the debut studio album by Irish recording artist Nadine Coyle. It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 8 November 2010, through Black Pen Records. Looking to transition from the electropop styles of her previous music as part of Girls Aloud, Coyle began to work on a solo album during the hiatus of the group. She enlisted writers and producers such as Toby Gad, Guy Chambers and William Orbit, co-writing its thirteen tracks alongside them. Coyle began to embrace a more sophisticated sound with Insatiable, and its songs incorporate genres of pop rock and R&B.
Cinderella's Eyes is the debut studio album by English recording artist Nicola Roberts. It was released on 23 September 2011 by Polydor Records. As a member of the British girl group Girls Aloud, Roberts drew inspiration from her time with the group. Her experience with Girls Aloud's formation found her being labelled "ugly" by the media, and the constant negative attention and subsequent personal problems resulted in her struggling with her confidence. She started recording for the album in 2010 and co-wrote all of the original tracks on the album, working closely with producers Dimitri Tikovoï, Maya von Doll and Diplo on the album, as well as Canadian electropop band Dragonette. The concept of the album derived from fairy tales, focusing mostly upon "Cinderella" after titling the album Cinderella's Eyes. The album artwork features Roberts next to a collection of vintage artefacts wearing a modern interpretation of the Cinderella glass slipper, co-produced by shoe designer Atalanta Weller.
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.
The discography of Diana Vickers, a British singer-songwriter, consists of two studio albums, one extended play, and six singles. Vickers debuted in 2008 as a contestant on The X Factor, a British television music competition. Her fourth-place finish brought Vickers to the attention of RCA Records, which signed her in 2009.
The discography of British singer Nicola Roberts consists of one studio album, three singles, and three music videos.
"Cinderella" is a song by English singer and songwriter Diana Vickers from her second studio album, Music to Make Boys Cry (2013). It was released on 19 July 2013 as the album's lead single.
"Music to Make Boys Cry" is a song by English singer and songwriter Diana Vickers from her second studio album of the same name (2013). It was released on 15 September 2013 as the album's second and final single.
The Lost Tapes is the eighth studio album by British girl group Sugababes and their first independent release. While work for the album dates back to 2011 when the original lineup reunited, the album remained unreleased until its 24 December 2022 digital release. The Lost Tapes is the second Sugababes album to feature the original lineup after 2000's One Touch. The deluxe version, which included an additional three tracks, was released digitally on 31 December 2022. The Lost Tapes debuted at number two on the UK Digital Albums chart and number 13 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.
Vickers eventually settled on an electro-pop sound for her 2013 album, Music to Make Boys Cry.