Playing in the Shadows

Last updated

Playing in the Shadows
PlayingintheShadows.jpg
Studio album by
Released4 September 2011
Genre
Length48:59
Label
Producer
Example chronology
Won't Go Quietly
(2010)
Playing in the Shadows
(2011)
The Evolution of Man
(2012)
Singles from Playing in the Shadows
  1. "Changed the Way You Kiss Me"
    Released: 5 June 2011
  2. "Stay Awake"
    Released: 28 August 2011
  3. "Natural Disaster"
    Released: 16 October 2011
  4. "Midnight Run"
    Released: 4 December 2011
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
NME 7/10 [6]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
BBC positive [8]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
RapReviewsStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Virgin Media Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Drowned in Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]

Playing in the Shadows is the third studio album by British recording artist Example, released on 4 September 2011 through Ministry of Sound. [10] Example confirmed that much like the previous album, there would be no collaborations, besides that of producers (including frequent collaborator Skream). During an interview, Example said the album remains dance oriented, although he would make a gradual move into electronic and dubstep genres.

Contents

The album's release was preceded by two singles, "Changed the Way You Kiss Me" and "Stay Awake", which both peaked atop of the UK Singles Chart. A third single, Laidback Luke collaboration "Natural Disaster", has been released on 16 October. A fourth single, "Midnight Run" was released on 4 December.

Background and development

In an interview with Lowe he revealed that his third album would be released in September 2011 entitled Playing in the Shadows. Example described the album as a darker record than previous album Won't Go Quietly ("dark, epic beast"). He also said production on the record will come from Michael Woods, Skream, Nero, Faithless, Brookes Brothers, Dirty South and hopefully Chase & Status, as well as writing with English songwriter and producer Guy Chambers. Funkagenda will be producing the intro track also (as per their respective Twitter feeds). In a discussion on Twitter, Example also revealed the final track to be completed on his album would be produced by Feed Me.

Singles

Other singles

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) [10] Length
1."Skies Don't Lie"
Funkagenda4:24
2."Stay Awake" Nero 3:24
3."Changed the Way You Kiss Me"Woods3:15
4."The Way" Faithless 4:28
5."Natural Disaster" (Laidback Luke vs. Example) (Extended Album Version) Laidback Luke 5:05
6."Never Had a Day"
  • Gleave
  • Andy Sheldrake
3:53
7."Microphone"
Brookes Brothers 4:16
8."Playing in the Shadows"
Chase & Status 4:39
9."Midnight Run"
Feed Me 3:58
10."Under the Influence"
Skream 4:55
11."Wrong in the Head"
  • Gleave
  • Tom Neville
  • Neville
  • Brookes Brothers
3:11
12."Anything" Dirty South 3:31
Total length:48:59
CD bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Lying to Yourself"
  • Gleave
  • Eddie Jenkins
  • Jenkins
  • Wez Clarke
3:34
Total length:52:33
iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
13."Plastic Smile" (Example vs. Felguk) Felguk 4:42
14."Shot Yourself in the Foot Again" (Skream & Example) Skream 3:42
15."Changed the Way You Kiss Me" (Friction Remix)Michael Woods4:46
Total length:62:09

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
Ireland [29] 4 September 2011Digital download, CDMinistry of Sound
United Kingdom [30]
Australia [31] 9 September 2011

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