Nirvana | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 11 December 2017 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 37:42 | |||
Language |
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Label | ||||
Inna chronology | ||||
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Singles from Nirvana | ||||
Nirvana is the fifth studio album by Romanian singer Inna. It was released on 11 December 2017 by Global Records and UMG in a partnership with supermarket chain Lidl. For this record, she collaborated with multiple producers, including Marcel Botezan, Sebastian Barac, Thomas Troelsen, Alex Cotoi and Vlad Lucan. It was entirely recorded at the studios of Global Records in Bucharest, Romania. Nirvana has been described as a pop album, with influences varying from electronic dance music (EDM), reggaeton and R&B to Latin, club and tropical music.
Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from music critics, who commended that Inna showcased her versatility as an artist, but noted the songs lacked innovation and were similar to her past material. To promote Nirvana, three singles, "Gimme Gimme", "Ruleta", and "Nirvana", preceded the record in 2017, to commercial success in some European countries. "Ruleta" notably reached number three in Romania. The album itself failed to impact any country's charts.
In April 2017, it was announced that Inna was working with Spanish disc jockey Sak Noel, who had previously remixed her single "Gimme Gimme". [4] Publications also reported that the singer was working on an upcoming fifth studio album with producer David Ciente and Romanian singer and songwriter Irina Rimes, respectively. [5] [6] On 23 November 2017, the record's title and its cover were unveiled during an Instagram post on Inna's account. [7] During a post on her blog, Inna explained the record's name: "Nirvana for me has a very simple meaning. It means 'cool', cause my new album is reeeeally cool! [...] My Nirvana is my family and my team, [...] when I perform on the stage and I see your happy faces, [...] [and] music and making people happy. My hope for this album is to help you find joy and peace of mind in this chaos called life. Even if just a little bit! That is Nirvana!" [8]
Producers on Nirvana include Marcel Botezan, Sebastian Barac, Thomas Troelsen, Alex Cotoi and Vlad Lucan; it was entirely recorded in the studios of Global Records in Bucharest, Romania. [9] [10] The tracklist of the album was revealed via Facebook on 27 November 2017. [11] Nirvana was released in Romania on 11 December 2017 by Global Records and UMG, in a partnership with supermarket chain Lidl. [9] [12] The album's Japanese release followed in September 2018, also containing Inna's collaboration with Alexandra Stan and Daddy Yankee on "We Wanna" (2015). [13] Three years after the album's release, Inna uploaded a deluxe edition to her SoundCloud on 10 December 2020, further containing the previously unincluded singles "Heaven" (2016) and "No Help" (2018), as well as the promotional single "Say It With Your Body" (2016). [14]
Nirvana is a pop album; [3] it opens with Inna's collaboration with Romanian singer Erik on "Ruleta", which is an English and Spanish language EDM and reggaeton-influenced song with touches of Indian and Caribbean music. [15] [16] The second track "Gimme Gimme" is a Bollywood, Indian and Gypsy-inspired pop track. [17] [18] [19] A sample of British group Touch and Go's "Would You...?" (1998) is used during "My Dreams". [20] "Tropical", Nirvana's fourth track, features a trumpet in its instrumentation along with uncredited male reggae vocals; Jonathan Currinn of CelebMix identified the song as one of the album's highlights. [21]
Parts of tropical pop song "Hands Up" showcase Inna's falsetto voice, and its love-themed lyrics contain various metaphors, [22] [23] while "Nirvana" is a Latin-inspired club recording, featuring a portion of rap delivered in Spanish during its drop. [24] [25] [26] R&B-influenced "Don't Mind" features lyrics in both English and Spanish language, [27] [28] and is followed by "Lights", which is influenced by African music. [29] Currinn wrote that the song allowed Inna to showcase her versatility as an artist. He compared "Lights" to Romanian recording artist Alexandra Stan's "La Fuega" from her third studio album Alesta (2016), writing: "[it] is going to be a Marmite track; some people will love it, some people are going to hate it." [29] Raluca Chirilă from InfoMusic considered the track for a standalone single release. [30] Nirvana ends with tropical pop song "Dream About the Ocean", which "has an oceanic wave style to it" and whose lyrics deal with self confidence, [23] [28] [31] and Romanian language ballads "Nota de plată", "Cum ar fi?" and "Tu și eu". [20] [28]
Music critics were positive to mixed towards the album. Currinn of CelebMix gave a positive review of Nirvana, and thought that "each track is amazing but different in itself". He went on comparing album track "Hands Up" to "Endless" (2011), "Nirvana" to "Bop Bop" (2015) and "Heaven" (2016), "Don't Mind" to material from Barbadian singer Rihanna' catalog, and "Dream About the Ocean" to Inna's "Walking on the Sun" from her 2015 eponymous studio album. Currinn praised the majority of the record's material as highlights, concluding: "This whole album is a great collection of tracks, that truly show off Inna's versatility as an artist. She truly stuns everyone." [28] An editor of French website Just Focus praised the album's singles and selected tracks, although criticizing the lack of originality of other songs. They wrote: "The rest is truly the recycled Inna dance sound without any originality. This is the time to evolve, as most artists do now, including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Kesha etc... Inna's music will always be welcome but the use of the same formula is not enough, especially in a current period in which artists are focusing more on innovation." [23]
Three singles preceded Nirvana in 2017 ("Gimme Gimme", "Ruleta", and "Nirvana") to commercial success in Europe including Romania and Turkey. "Ruleta" notably peaked at number three in her native country, [32] at number one in Lithuania, [33] and at number five in Turkey. [34] Both "Gimme Gimme" and "Nirvana" reached the top 20 in Romania, [35] [36] and the top ten in Turkey. [37] [38] Inna has further been featured on the 2017 tracks "Tu și eu" by Carla's Dreams, [39] and "Nota de plată" by The Motans, [40] which are also included on Nirvana, [3] alongside 2016 promotional single "Cum ar fi?". [41] The aforementioned releases all reached the top 60 in Romania. [42] [43] [44] The songs "Don't Mind", "Tropical", "Hands Up", "My Dreams, "Dream About the Ocean" and "Lights" were made available for digital download as promotional singles in December 2017. [45]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Ruleta" (featuring Erik) |
| 3:18 | |
2. | "Gimme Gimme" |
|
| 2:57 |
3. | "My Dreams" |
| 3:11 | |
4. | "Tropical" |
|
| 3:14 |
5. | "Hands Up" |
|
| 3:04 |
6. | "Nirvana" |
|
| 3:14 |
7. | "Don't Mind" |
|
| 3:14 |
8. | "Lights" |
|
| 2:33 |
9. | "Dream About the Ocean" |
|
| 3:12 |
10. | "Nota de plată" (The Motans featuring Inna) |
| 3:15 | |
11. | "Cum ar fi?" |
|
| 3:19 |
12. | "Tu și eu" (Carla's Dreams featuring Inna) |
|
| 3:11 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
10. | "We Wanna" (with Alexandra Stan featuring Daddy Yankee) |
|
| 3:53 |
11. | "Ruleta" (Depierro Remix) | 3:20 | ||
12. | "Nirvana" (Asher Remix) | 3:39 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
13. | "Heaven" | 3:28 |
14. | "Say It With Your Body" | 3:02 |
15. | "No Help" | 3:03 |
Sample credits [20]
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Romania [3] [12] | 11 December 2017 | CD | Global/ UMG |
Various [46] | Digital download | Global | |
Japan [13] | 26 September 2018 |
Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, known professionally as Inna, is a Romanian singer. Born in Mangalia and raised in Neptun, she studied political science at Ovidius University before meeting the Romanian trio Play & Win and pursuing a music career. She adopted the stage name "Alessandra" and a pop-rock style in 2008; later that year, she changed her stage name to "Inna" and began releasing EDM, house and popcorn music. "Hot" (2008), her debut single, was a commercial success worldwide and topped the Romanian and Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart, among others. Her debut studio album of the same name followed in August 2009 and was certified Gold and Platinum. It featured several other successful singles in Europe, including "Amazing" (2009), the singer's second number-one single in Romania.
Romanian singer Inna has released eleven studio albums, three compilations, 62 singles and 51 promotional singles. Her YouTube channel surpassed three billion total views as of May 2019. 24 of her singles have reached the top ten in Romania, with "Hot", "Amazing", "Diggy Down", "Bebe", "Up" and "Tare" topping the country's singles chart in 2008, 2009, 2015, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. With global album sales of four million copies from her first three studio albums, Inna is the best-selling Romanian artist.
Romanian singer Alexandra Stan has released five studio albums, a reissue album, three extended plays, one compilation album, two video albums, two remix albums, 47 singles and 11 promotional singles. Stan's career began in 2009, when music producers Marcel Prodan and Andrei Nemirschi heard her singing at a karaoke bar and signed her to their label, Maan Studio. That same year, she released the promotional song "Show Me the Way". Her debut single, "Lollipop " (2009), reached number 58 in Romania.
Antonia Clara Iacobescu, known professionally as Antonia, is a Romanian singer.
Party Never Ends is the third studio album recorded by Romanian singer Inna, released on 4 March 2013 by Roton, and re-issued on 14 October 2014, by Atlantic Records in the US. The singer collaborated with several producers on the record, including DJ Frank E, Orange Factory, Steve Mac, Lucas Secon, DJ Smash and Play & Win. Party Never Ends has been described as approaching dance music and its subgenres, with influences varying from Latin, hip hop and house to electropop, salsa and dubstep. The Times of India gave the album a mixed review; while commending some tracks, other were deemed passable or mediocre.
"Rendez Vous" is a song recorded by Romanian recording artist Inna for her eponymous and fourth studio album (2015) and its Japanese version Body and the Sun (2015). It was made available for digital download as a single on 12 February 2016 through Roton. The song makes use of a sample of Mr. President's "Coco Jamboo" (1996), resulting in writing credits for its composers Rainer Gaffrey, Kai Matthiesen and Delroy Rennalls. "Rendez Vous" was written by Ilsey Juber, Andreas Schuller and Thomas Troelsen, and produced by Troelsen and Schuller under the name Axident. Musically, the mid-tempo song contains acoustic elements and Eurodance influences in its refrain, with Inna singing about meeting the man she loved in the summer.
"Heaven" is a song recorded by Romanian recording artist Inna, included on the deluxe edition of her fifth studio album Nirvana (2017). It was released for digital download on 10 June 2016 through Roton. The recording was written by Andreas Schuller, Leroy Clampitt, Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan, Laila Samulesen, Trey Campbell and Theea Eliza Miculescu, while production was handled by Barac and Botezan. A dance-pop and tropical house recording, the single was generally acclaimed by music critics, who praised it as an earworm with Middle Eastern influences. While reviews noted lyrics in English, French, and Spanish, the singer explained that the refrain was written in a language she invented with her label. At the 2017 Radio România Actualități Awards, "Heaven" was nominated in three categories.
"Gimme Gimme" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna for her fifth studio album, Nirvana. It was made available for digital consumption as the record's first single on 1 February 2017 through Roton and Global Records. The recording was written by Inna, Breyan Isaac and Elena Luminița Vasile, along with its producers Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan and David Ciente. A pop song with Bollywood, Indian and Gyspy influences, "Gimme Gimme" features "simple but meaningful" romantic lyrics.
"Ruleta" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna, featuring collaborative vocals by Romanian performer Erik, for her fifth studio album, Nirvana (2017). It was made available for digital download and streaming on 21 June 2017 by Global Records as the album's second single. The track was written by Inna, Erik, Marius Dia and Breyan Isaac, while production was handled by Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan and David Ciente. "Ruleta" features lyrics in English and Spanish. It is an EDM and reggaeton-influenced song, with touches of Indian and Caribbean music.
"Nirvana" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna for her fifth studio album of the same name (2017). It was made available for digital download on 28 November 2017 by Global Records, as the record's third single. The track was written by Inna and Thomas Troelsen, while production was handled by Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan, David Ciente, Vlad Lucan and Troelsen. Musically, "Nirvana" is a Latin-influenced club song, featuring a rap delivered in Spanish during its drop.
"Me Gusta" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna. Written by Inna and produced by David Ciente, the track was released for digital download and streaming on 14 February 2018 by Roton and Empire Music Management. "Me Gusta" is a Spanish language song, featuring an electronic production and beat drops. A reviewer noted an Asian sound. Lyrically, Inna admires a man's presence and dance abilities.
"Iguana" is a song by Romanian singer Inna. It was digitally released on 30 November 2018 as the second single for her sixth studio album Yo (2019) by Global Records and Roc Nation, although having already been made available for streaming and airplay earlier that month. It was written by Inna and Cristina Maria Chiluiza, while production was solely handled by David Ciente. Musically, the uptempo track has been described as being club and salsa-influenced, extending Inna's change in direction introduced with "Ra" (2018). The song's lyrics are in Spanish and see Inna discussing jealousy and lovesickness.
"No Help" is a song by Romanian singer Inna, included on the deluxe edition of her fifth studio album Nirvana (2017). It was released for digital download and streaming on 6 September 2018 by Global Records. Musically, "No Help" is a pop and oriental-influenced dance and tropical house song, whose lyrics discuss confidence, independence and self-help. The track received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchiness and dance nature. For promotion, an accompanying music video was uploaded onto Inna's official YouTube channel simultaneously with the song's release. It was filmed by Bogdan Păun in Morocco and Los Angeles. Reviewers praised the outfits and landscapes featured in the visual. "No Help" received minor commercial success in Romania and France.
Yo is the sixth studio album by Romanian singer Inna, released on 31 May 2019 by Global Records and Roc Nation. Inna began work on the record in 2016; inspired by a recent trip to Latin America, she decided the album would feature only Spanish language material. Inna contributed significantly to the songwriting process of Yo, and collaborated extensively with Romanian producer David Ciente on its songs. An experimental and heavily gypsy music-influenced effort, Yo marks the first time Inna took control over an album's creative process; it acts as a departure from her past EDM releases. Lyrically, Inna sings about love, and presents several female characters seen from different perspectives throughout the album.
"Ra" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna, digitally released on 27 September 2018 as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Yo (2019), by Global Records. It was entirely written in Spanish by Cristina Maria Chiluiza and Inna, while Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan and David Ciente handled the production. A ballad, the song lyrically features a female empowerment message about leaving a toxic relationship and gaining confidence. Its sound differs significantly and acts as a departure from Inna's previous, club-oriented releases.
"Tu Manera" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna, digitally released on 1 March 2019 by Roc Nation as the fourth single for her sixth studio album Yo (2019). It was written by Inna and Cristina Maria Chiluiza, while production was handled by David Ciente. "Tu Manera" is a Spanish-language dance, Latin and Caribbean-influenced pop song that represents Inna falling for someone through its lyrics. A music video for the song was released on 7 March 2019; directed by Bogdan Păun, it features the singer performing several activities in front of a house in a dusty landscape. Commercially, "Tu Manera" reached number 78 on Romania's Airplay 100 chart. It was included on the soundtrack of the American television series Grand Hotel, as well as used for Need for Speed Heat and an Apple Watch commercial.
"Te Vas" is a song by Romanian singer Inna, digitally released on 31 May 2019 by Global Records as the fifth single from her sixth studio album Yo (2019). It was written by Inna and Cristina Maria Chiluiza, while production was handled by Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan, David Ciente and Alexandru Cotoi. A Spanish-language house song reminiscent of Inna's past material, the track lyrically discusses the bond between two separated lovers.
"Bebe" is a song by Romanian singer Inna and Ugandan recording artist Vinka, digitally released on 4 November 2019 by Global Records. It was written by the aforementioned artists alongside Theea Miculescu, while the production was handled by Sebastian Barac and Marcel Botezan. A French, Swahili, Luganda, and English love song, the track's genre has been described as Afro and dancehall-influenced pop. Music critics gave mixed reviews to the track, praising its catchiness but criticizing the track as sonically uninteresting.
"Not My Baby" is a song by Romanian singer Inna, released for digital download as a single by Global Records on 3 April 2020. It was composed by Inna alongside Lara Andersson, Michelle Buzz, Junior Oliver Frid, and Fridolin Walcher, while the latter received credit as a producer under his stage name of Freedo. The song was noted as being a hi-NRG-inspired dance-pop, deep house, EDM and Europop track, as well as a departure from the experimental and gypsy music-influenced sound of Inna's Spanish studio album, Yo. Inna had already retransitioned to a more electronic production prior to the song with "Bebe" in 2019. The lyrics of the former delve on a toxic relationship with a selfish and untruthful partner.
Heartbreaker is the seventh studio album by Romanian singer Inna. It was released for streaming to YouTube and SoundCloud by Global Records on 27 November 2020, and was issued to fellow platforms and released for digital download a week later under the same label. An EDM, Middle Eastern and Latin-influenced dance-pop release, the album was preceded by Inna's retransition to the EDM genre following the release of Yo (2019), her experimental and gypsy-inspired sixth studio album.
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