Spell My Name | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 28, 2020 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | R&B [1] | |||
Length | 35:25 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Producer |
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Toni Braxton chronology | ||||
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Singles from Spell My Name | ||||
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Spell My Name is the tenth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton. It was released by Island Records on August 28, 2020. Her debut with the record label, following a short-lived stint with Def Jam Recordings on her eighth album Sex & Cigarettes (2018), Braxton assumed more control on Spell My Name, again taking a greater hand in writing and producing the material. Her collaborations included frequent collaborators Paul Boutin, Antonio Dixon, and Babyface as well as singers and songwriters Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Chris Braide, Dapo Torimiro, Soundz, H.E.R. and Missy Elliott.
The album received generally positive reviews by music critics who complimented its production standards but criticized its length and the preponderance of balladry on the album. On the charts, Spell My Name failed to repeat the success of Sex & Cigarettes, becoming her lowest-charting yet with a peak at number 163 on the US Billboard 200. Its release was preceded by the singles "Do It" and "Dance," the former of which peaked at number one on the US Adult R&B Songs, and followed by "Gotta Move On," Braxton's eleventh topper on the chart.
Braxton began work on her tenth studio album several months after the release of her Grammy Award-nominated previous project Sex & Cigarettes (2018). [2] Making the album, which Braxton cited as the most fun she has had in years, [3] she reteamed with longtime contributors such as Antonio Dixon and Babyface but also consulted new collaborators to work with her, including Soundz, Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Ghara "PK" Degeddingseze, Chris Braide, and Dapo Torimiro. [4] Her team also reached out to rapper Missy Elliott who produced on and recorded additional vocals for a remix version of "Do It." [5] The remix, along with the original version, also appears on the final track listing. [3]
As with her previous two albums, Braxton assumed more control, [6] again taking a greater hand in writing the material, while also producing some of the records herself. [4] While 85 per cent of Spell My Name was completed before the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the singer was forced to complete several songs in the closet. [3] When asked about what was it like working during quarantine, she elaborated: "It wasn't that difficult for me because most of my album was done. It was just about putting it together, deciding the sequence, the order, mixing and mastering." [3] Braxton would select songs in her car, listening to them while driving around, a process she described as "the best thing because you can hear the songs on the radio and then play your songs right after hear how it sounds." [3]
The album was named after the same-titled album track which is about an older woman being with a younger guy. [3] According to Braxton, it acknowledges her legendary status: "I have been in the music business a long time. So I think it’s OK for me to be confident in myself and the album title refers to that, like ‘Spell my name, I’m Toni Braxton — T.O.N.I B.R.A.X.T.O.N’ [...] I've been in this business for a long time and I've been blessed, so, put some respect on my name a little bit [...] I just thought it was a cool title to be honest." [3]
"Do It" was released as the album's first single on April 6, 2020, also serving as Braxton's debut with Island Records. It peaked at number 1 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart. On June 26, 2020, Island released a remix version of "Do It" featuring additional vocals and new production from Elliott. [7] On May 15, 2020, Dave Audé's remix of second single "Dance" was released. [8] The album version of the track was released on July 31, 2020, [9] with the accompanying music video being released on August 5, 2020. [10] In support of the album, "Gotta Move On" featuring singer H.E.R. was released to Braxton's YouTube account on August 24, 2020. [11] It peaked at number 1 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 70/100 [12] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [13] |
Clash | 6/10 [14] |
The Guardian | [1] |
Idolator | [15] |
musicOMH | [16] |
Pitchfork | 7.0/10 [17] |
Spell My Name received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 71, which indicates "generally favorable reviews," based on four reviews. [12] Kemi Alemoru, writing for The Guardian , called the album "a full-bodied record that exhibits Braxton’s stylistic and vocal range." She found that "Braxton – once an R&B trailblazer – is still hungry to be a part of the genre’s resurgence [and] hasn’t lost her broad vocal range or her ability to slot into multiple mood playlists. It has everything you want from a full-bodied R&B record: songs to cry to, vibe to, and make babies to." [1]
In his review for Variety , Jeff Vashista named Spell My Name "possibly her strongest album since her halcyon period in the mid-to-late ‘90’s [...] Braxton co-wrote nearly every song on the album, and she and her collaborators have succeeded in deftly meshing her signature minor-key R&B sound with production and vocal arrangements that keep things classy but contemporary [...] This is a not an R&B record made on a bedroom laptop: It’s expensive sounding, with a stellar cast of collaborators and dramatic orchestrations." [18] Idolator 's Mike Wass found that Spell My Name "is particularly successful when Toni plays to her strengths – namely old-school soul and silky smooth ballads [but] is less successful, however, when [she] tries to up the tempo." He remarked however, that "ultimately, these missteps do little to diminish the pleasure of Spell My Name." [15]
Allmusic editor Andy Kellman found that Braxton spends most of "the set succumbing to desire recognized as ill-fated, mourning unfulfillment, waving off a cheating ex, and swearing during the emotional peak [...] The material tends toward routine, but Braxton's elegant distress cuts through everything with conviction." [13] Robin Murray from Clash was critical with the "preponderance of slo-mo balladry" on the album, writing that the album "is hard to fault, then, but also difficult to truly love [...] It’s far from a failure, with Spell My Name boasting moments of rich maturity, the kind of lyrical openness that has always made her work so intriguing. Yet there’s also an unwillingness to embrace contemporary movements in R&B." [14] musicOMH writer Ben Devlin called Spell My Name "a veritable pot luck of styles, some of which work [...] The album is brief, almost EP length, and doesn’t end nearly as well as it begins, but Spell My Name still features some great tunes." [16]
The album debuted at number 163 on the US Billboard 200, as well as number 21 on the Top R&B Albums in the week ending September 12, 2020. [19] This marked Braxton's lowest-charting debut, and her first album to miss the top 100 since her 2001 Christmas album Snowflakes peaked at number 119. [19]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Dance" | 3:52 | ||
2. | "Do It" (with Missy Elliott) |
|
| 3:24 |
3. | "Gotta Move On" (featuring H.E.R.) |
| 4:18 | |
4. | "Fallin'" |
| 2:57 | |
5. | "Spell My Name" |
| 3:21 | |
6. | "O.V.E.Rr." |
| 3:10 | |
7. | "Happy Without Me" |
| 3:46 | |
8. | "Saturday Night" | 4:01 | ||
9. | "Do It" (Original version) |
| 2:52 | |
10. | "Nothin'" (Bonus track) |
| 3:44 | |
Total length: | 35:25 |
Notes
Adapted from album booklet. [20]
Musicians
Technical
Design
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [21] | 21 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [22] | 3 |
US Billboard 200 [19] | 163 |
US Top R&B Albums (Billboard) [23] | 21 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 28, 2020 | Island | ||
United States | December 4, 2020 | Vinyl |
Toni Michele Braxton is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, and numerous other accolades. In 2011, Braxton was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 2017 she was honored with the Legend Award at the Soul Train Music Awards.
Secrets is the second studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on June 18, 1996, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The album was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 1997 Grammy Awards. Secrets has been certified eight-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Worldwide, the album has sold over 15 million copies. In support of the album, Braxton embarked on the Secrets Tour, playing dates in North America and Europe from August 1996 to October 1997.
The Heat is the third studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on April 25, 2000, by LaFace Records. The album marked Braxton's departure from her ballads in favor of a more urban sound. Most of the songs were written and produced by Braxton and her husband Keri Lewis ; two ballads were penned by Diane Warren, and collaborations featured rappers Dr. Dre and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
Ultimate Toni Braxton, released in 2003, is the first greatest hits collection by R&B singer Toni Braxton. It features many of her greatest hits, and includes all the singles from her debut Toni Braxton and all but one of the singles from her second album Secrets. Her albums The Heat and More Than a Woman are fairly underrepresented, as only two and one songs are included from each album, respectively. The songs on Ultimate are not the actual album versions but radio edits, and the version of "Seven Whole Days" is live.
Libra is the sixth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on September 27, 2005, by Blackground Records. It marked Braxton's debut on the label, following her split with longtime record company Arista Records in 2003 after the release of her album More Than a Woman (2002), which was commercially less successful than its predecessors. The album's title is a reference to Braxton's astrological sign, Libra.
"How Could an Angel Break My Heart" is a song by American singer and songwriter Toni Braxton, released in October 1997 as the fourth and final single from her second studio album, Secrets (1996). The song, co-written by Braxton and Babyface and produced by Babyface, features Kenny G on the saxophone. At the time of this single's release, Secrets had reached five-time Platinum status by the RIAA.
"Give U My Heart" is a song recorded by American R&B singers Babyface and Toni Braxton for the soundtrack to the 1992 film Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy. The collaboration was released as a single the same year, reaching No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
"Trippin'" is a song by American R&B girl group Total, released as the first single from their second studio album Kima, Keisha, and Pam (1998). It was also their second release working with production/writing duo Missy Elliott & Timbaland, after What About Us?, although Timbaland this time provided only co-production and instrumentation, with the pair's longtime collaborator Darryl Pearson instead handling main production with Elliott. The track was by far the group's biggest hit, peaking at number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Pulse is the seventh studio album by American singer and songwriter Toni Braxton. It was released on May 4, 2010, by Atlantic Records. Her first album in five years and served as Braxton's debut for the Atlantic label, after signing a new record deal. Production for the album took place during September 2008 to March 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including David Foster, Harvey Mason, Jr., Frank E, Oak Felder, Lucas Secon, Simon Franglen and Stargate. Pulse features up-tempo songs and R&B ballads with production varying from smooth to dance-based styles.
Dapo Torimiro is a Nigerian songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer. Born in Lagos, he has worked in the music industry in the US for several years writing and producing music for artists' album projects, touring with numerous artists, as well as scoring various television and film projects. He is based in Los Angeles.
Love, Marriage & Divorce is a collaborative studio album by American singers Toni Braxton and Babyface, released on February 4, 2014, by Motown Records. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and as of July 2, 2014 the album had sold 211,000 copies in the U.S. The album won Best R&B Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
Paul Boutin is a French-born American music mixer, audio engineer and a long-time collaborator with producer/songwriter/artist Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
"Hurt You" is a song by American recording artists Toni Braxton and Babyface. It was written by Braxton and Babyface along with Daryl Simmons and Antonio Dixon for their collaborative studio album Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014), while Babyface helmed production. The song was released on August 17, 2013, as the lead single from the album. It topped the US Adult R&B Songs and was ranked fifth on the chart's year-end listing.
"Roller Coaster" is a song by American recording artists Toni Braxton and Babyface. It was written by Babyface, Daryl Simmons, and Antonio Dixon for their collaborative studio album Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014), while production was helmed by former. The song was released on May 24, 2014 as the album's third and final single. "Roller Coaster" peaked at number 17 on the US Adult R&B Songs and was ranked 48th on the chart's year-end listing. Braxton and Babyface performed on their joint Toni Braxton & Babyface African Tour in 2015.
Sex & Cigarettes is the ninth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton. It was released on March 23, 2018, by Def Jam Recordings. Her first solo album in eight years, it served as her debut for the label after signing a new record deal. Braxton worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Fred Ball, Antonio Dixon, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Dapo Torimiro, Stuart Crichton, Tricky Stewart, and Pierre Medor. Its release was preceded by the release of two singles, "Deadwood" and "Long as I Live" as well as a remix EP of the song "Coping" which features on the album.
The As Long as I Live Tour was the fifth concert tour by American R&B/pop singer Toni Braxton in support of her eighth studio album, Sex & Cigarettes. The tour kicked off on January 19, 2019, in Columbia, South Carolina and ended on November 19 in London, U.K. The tour also included female R&B group SWV and singer Babyface as featured special guests in selected Northern America dates.
"Do It" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Braxton along with Percy Bady, Paul Boutin, Kenneth Edmonds, and Antonio Dixon for her tenth studio album Spell My Name (2020), while production was helmed by Dixon. The R&B ballad was released as the album's first single on April 6, 2020, also serving as Braxton's debut with Island Records. It peaked at number 1 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.
"Dance" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written and produced by Braxton and Antonio Dixon for her tenth studio album Spell My Name (2020). The song was released as the album's second single on July 31, 2020. It peaked at number 17 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.
"Gotta Move On" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written and produced by Braxton along with Jeremih Felton and Kenneth Coby for her tenth studio album Spell My Name (2020), while production was helmed by Coby under his moniker Soundz, with Paul Boutin and Braxton serving as vocal producers. A slow-burning anthem about getting past a failed relationship, "Gotta Move On" features a guitar solo from singer H.E.R. The song was released as the album's third single on August 24, 2020, and became Braxton's eleventh chart topper on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.
"Where Did We Go Wrong" is a song by American recording artists Toni Braxton and Babyface. It was written by Braxton and Babyface for their collaborative studio album Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014), while production was helmed by latter. The song was released on December 17, 2013 as the second single from the album. "Where Did We Go Wrong" peaked at number 11 on the US Adult R&B Songs and was ranked 38th on the chart's year-end listing.