The Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 12, 2023 | |||
Recorded | 2022 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 32:47 | |||
Label | Republic | |||
Producer |
| |||
Jonas Brothers chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Album | ||||
|
The Album is the sixth studio album by American pop rock band Jonas Brothers. It was released through Republic Records on May 12, 2023. The album features a sole guest appearance from Jon Bellion. Production was handled by Bellion himself, the Monsters & Strangerz, Pete Nappi, TenRoc, the Diner, Daniel Tashian, Ido Zmishlany, Johnny Simpson, and Colin Brittain.
Regarded as a more mature endeavor for the band, critics noticed the adult contemporary sound of the record. The brothers conceived the album to reflect their state of mind, with lyrics about enjoying life, parenthood and their relationships. The concept for the album was to create the "quintessential Jonas Brothers album" that would capture the 1970s sound that influenced the brothers as musical artists.
The album's release was supported by three singles, "Wings", "Waffle House", and "Summer Baby". It serves as the follow-up to their previous album, Happiness Begins (2019). It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 in its debut week, logging the band's seventh top-ten entry on the chart.
The Album was met with acclaim from music critics for its summer-themed, feel-good vibes as well as the nostalgic influences on the record. To support The Album and their other four previous albums, the Jonas Brothers have embarked on the Five Albums. One Night. The World Tour.
On February 25, 2020, during an interview on the Today show, Nick Jonas revealed that the group had been working on a new album with Ryan Tedder and that the details are "going to be announced in the next couple weeks", also hinting that "What a Man Gotta Do", a single that they had released the previous month, would serve as the potential lead single for it. [1] On September 23, 2022, the group posted a picture of Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas in a recording studio with Jon Bellion, who was sitting at a piano, writing that they were in the process of creating the album, in which Joe also hinted at its completion. [2]
On January 13, 2023, Nick appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show , in which he shared that the album had been completed and that the Jonas Brothers were currently "kind of in that planning moment with the campaign, the album, the single – all the things". [3] Exactly two weeks later, Nick, Joe, and Kevin sat down for an interview with Variety , in which they revealed that the album includes of elements of 1970s pop and Americana and is partly influenced by the Bee Gees, Carole King, [4] America and the Doobie Brothers, while they also revealed the titles of a few songs from it: "Wings", "Montana Sky", "Vacation Eyes", "Little Bird", and "Waffle House". [5] [6]
On January 29, Joe teased a snippet of "Wings" through an Instagram video that showed him in a studio with both Nick and Kevin. [7] The following day, all three brothers went on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in which they announced that the album would be titled The Album and was set to be released on May 5. [8] On February 22, the brothers announced that the album had been pushed back exactly by a week to May 12 in order to release it alongside its vinyl version. [9]
The sonic world for this album is really organic to what those records sound like back in the sixties and seventies, so Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire. ‘Wings’ was very inspired by that instrumentation. The rhythmic element is electrifying. It takes you back to the good old days.
– Nick Jonas on developing The Album,via press release [10]
Work on The Album started in 2022, when Bellion sat for a meeting with the brothers at Nick’s house, where they discussed the art direction for the album, with the producer helping the band to achieve their vision and desired sound. The first song they recorded was "Montana Sky", noted as "a spacious pop song with a breezy, filtered acoustic guitar and a thrumming baseline, which set the mood for the whole album". [4]
For the album, the band opted for a funk-inspired pop album, with references from late 1970s pop grooves of Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, The Doobie Brothers and The Bee Gees, with the brothers stating they took inspiration from Oasis’ "Wonderwall" and Paul McCartney’s “Hey Jude” for providing the blueprint for songs on the record. [11]
To promote their then-upcoming album, the brothers announced a five-night Broadway residency at the Marquis Theatre, from March 14 through March 18, 2023. [12] The concept was that each night they would play the entirety of one of their catalog albums (starting with Jonas Brothers and finishing with their then-forthcoming release, The Album), while also performing their greatest hits. [13] On March 18, 2023, the fifth and last night of their Broadway residency, [14] the band performed most of the songs for the yet-unreleased album, along with some of their older hit songs, [15] as well as some hit songs of the brothers' side musical projects (Nick as a solo artist and Joe's other band, DNCE). [16]
To support the album, as well their previous four albums the band embarked on a world tour, where they intend to perform all songs from Jonas Brothers (2007), A Little Bit Longer (2008), Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009), Happiness Begins (2019) and The Album (2023) at every concert. [17] The tour started on August 12, 2023, [18] and is set to conclude on June 20, 2024, consisting on a total of 106 shows. [19]
The lead single of the album, "Wings", was released on February 24, 2023. [20] It was accompanied by a music video, released on the same day, [21] directed by the Black Coffee Productions duo, Josh Rimmey & Zach Williams. [22] The second single, "Waffle House", [23] was released on April 7, 2023, also being accompanied by a music video, [24] directed by Anthony Mandler, released April 28, 2023. [25] [26] The third single, "Summer Baby", was sent to adult contemporary radio on June 5, 2023. [27]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [28] |
The Independent | [11] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7/10 [29] |
MusicOMH | [30] |
The Album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who described it as enjoyable and timeless. Retropop called the album "timeless" thanks to its "plethora of influences from across the decades". [31] The Independent 's Helen Brown said of the album "At no point does The Album push for edge or originality. But you'd have to be the barbecue grinch to deny its lovingly crafted, feel-good vibes". [11]
Maura Johnston from Rolling Stone wrote that the band's sixth album "has summertime pop sparkle", calling "a sparkling pop party full of romance and hooks, with the three brothers—along with pop maximalist Jon Bellion and other top-tier producers—flexing their songwriting and harmonic chops". And while commenting on the album as body of work, she noted that its production "shows how Jonas Brothers' ambition is only getting bigger as its legacy expands". [32] For Billboard , Hannah Dailey stated: "The Album is saturated with bright synths and unabashed joy, as Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas profess their love for their ladies, their kids and their carefree lifestyle, making for a final product that’s poised for many hours of summer playback", [33] while also naming the single "Wings" as the best song on the record. [34]
The Hollywood Reporter named "Vacation Eyes", the eighth track on the album, as the third best song of 2023, citing "is the kind of soft pop, yacht rock sound we want from them" as the brothers "entered their adult contemporary era". [35] Variety named "Summer Baby", the third single off the album, as the 16th best song of 2023, with Steven J. Horowitz writing that "alongside songwriter Jon Bellion, who worked with them at length on the project, the trio wrote a love letter to yacht rock (and their wives) that snapshots what it means to be doe-eyed in love", and adding that the adult contemporary sound "feels right for JoBros". [36]
In the United States, The Album debuted at number three on Billboard 200 chart, earning 52,000 album-equivalent units (including 35,500 in pure album sales) in its first week. This became the Jonas Brothers' seventh top ten album on the chart. The album also accumulated a total of 20.5 million on-demand streams of the album's songs. [37]
The album also marked the band's fourth number one on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, according to Luminate . The trio previously led the chart with their albums Happiness Begins (2019), Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009) and A Little Bit Longer (2008). [38] On the first week, 35,500 copies of The Album were sold, with physical sales comprising 29,000 (20,000 on CD, 9,000 on vinyl) and digital download sales comprising 6,500 copies. [39]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Miracle" |
| 2:21 | |
2. | "Montana Sky" |
|
| 2:49 |
3. | "Wings" |
|
| 1:58 |
4. | "Sail Away" |
|
| 3:12 |
5. | "Americana" |
|
| 2:00 |
6. | "Celebrate!" |
|
| 2:06 |
7. | "Waffle House" |
|
| 2:25 |
8. | "Vacation Eyes" |
|
| 3:32 |
9. | "Summer in the Hamptons" |
|
| 2:07 |
10. | "Summer Baby" |
|
| 2:41 |
11. | "Little Bird" |
|
| 3:09 |
12. | "Walls" (featuring Jon Bellion) |
|
| 4:26 |
Total length: | 32:47 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "Waffle House" (alternate version) |
|
| 2:41 |
14. | "Vacation Eyes" (alternate version) |
|
| 4:12 |
Total length: | 39:40 |
Note
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | May 12, 2023 | Republic | [57] | |
United Kingdom |
| Polydor | [58] |
Breathe is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Faith Hill, released November 9, 1999, via Warner Bros. Nashville. The album is one of the most successful country pop albums of all time and Hill's best selling album to date, being certified certified 8× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album by Canadian country-pop singer Shania Twain, released on November 8, 2004, by Mercury Nashville. The album contains seventeen of Twain's top ten hits, including all of her seven number one hits on the Hot Country Songs. Excluded from the track list is Twain's self-titled debut album, of which no songs were included. Some songs are included in their pop versions such as "That Don't Impress Me Much" and "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!".
The Jonas Brothers are an American pop rock band. Formed in 2005, they gained popularity from their appearances on the Disney Channel television network. They consist of three brothers: Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Nick Jonas. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Jonas Brothers moved to Little Falls, New Jersey, in 2005, where they wrote their first record that made its Hollywood Records release. They starred in the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock and its 2010 sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. They also starred in their own Disney Channel series Jonas, which was rebranded as Jonas L.A. for its second season. The band has released six albums: It's About Time (2006), Jonas Brothers (2007), A Little Bit Longer (2008), Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009), Happiness Begins (2019), and The Album (2023).
Jonas Brothers is the second studio album and the international debut album released by the Jonas Brothers and their first album to be released under Hollywood Records. The album was released on August 7, 2007. "Hold On" was the album's second single, followed by "S.O.S" as the third single, and "When You Look Me in the Eyes" as the fourth single.
A Little Bit Longer is the third studio album by the American band the Jonas Brothers and their second album released on Hollywood Records. It was released on August 12, 2008. The album received generally favorable reviews, and four star reviews from Rolling Stone, AllMusic, and Blender. The album was preceded by three singles, "Burnin' Up", "Lovebug" and "Tonight". The album was number 40 on Rolling Stone's Best 50 Albums of 2008. One of the songs from the album, "Video Girl" was also number 49 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.
Don't Forget is the debut studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 23, 2008, by Hollywood Records. She started working on the album in September 2007, while filming the Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock. Lovato co-wrote most of the songs with pop rock band The Jonas Brothers, who produced the album along with record producer John Fields. Other songwriters include Kara DioGuardi, Jason Reeves and Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman. Don't Forget features primarily a power pop and rock sound, with the lyrical content addressing other adolescent topics.
Lines, Vines and Trying Times is the fourth studio album by the Jonas Brothers. It was released June 16, 2009, in the US. The album received mixed reviews from critics and fans. In its first week, the album sold 247,000 copies, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. It was their third and last album released under Hollywood Records, and their last before a hiatus, which lasted from October 2013 to March 2019.
Confident is the fifth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on October 16, 2015, by Hollywood, Island and Safehouse Records. The album features guest appearances from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and American rapper Sirah. While Lovato co-wrote most of the songs on the album, she worked with writers and producers such as Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, Steve Mac, Rami and Stargate, among others. Musically, Confident is primarily a pop, dance, electropop and power pop record with influences of R&B, soul, EDM and urban.
"Cake by the Ocean" is the debut single by American band DNCE. It was released through Republic Records as the lead single from their debut extended play, Swaay, on September 18, 2015. It was also included on their self-titled debut studio album, which was released in 2016. "Cake by the Ocean" is a 1970s-inspired pop, R&B, dance, and disco-funk song. The song reached the top 10 on multiple national record charts including those of Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also topped the U.S. Billboard Adult Pop Songs airplay chart and has been certified Gold or higher by a number of recording industry associations. Billboard ranked "Cake by the Ocean" at number 44 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list. Nielsen Music declared "Cake by the Ocean" the second most-played song in Canada for 2016, behind only Canadian singer Justin Bieber's single "Love Yourself".
Last Year Was Complicated is the third studio album by American singer Nick Jonas. It was released on June 10, 2016, by Island and Safehouse Records. The album features collaborations with Tove Lo, Ty Dolla $ign, and Big Sean. The album's lead single, "Close", was released on March 25, 2016.
DNCE is the debut studio album by American band DNCE. It was released through Republic Records on November 18, 2016. The album features a sole guest appearance from Kent Jones. Production was handled by Ilya, Rami Yacoub, Albin Nedler, Kristoffer Fogelmark, Mattman & Robin, OzGo, Oscar Holter, Sir Nolan, Mailbox, and Aaron Z. It includes three out of four songs from their debut EP, Swaay (2015). DNCE is a dance-pop album with influences of new wave, dance-rock, disco, and alternative pop. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, such as Ilya Salmanzadeh, Rami Yacoub, Mattman & Robin, Justin Tranter, and Sir Nolan.
Walls is the thirty-sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand, released on November 2, 2018, by Columbia Records. The lead single "Don't Lie to Me" was written as a criticism of America's political climate amid the presidency of Donald Trump, while the title track alludes to Trump's frequent calls for a wall at the Mexico border.
Late Night Feelings is the fifth studio album by American producer Mark Ronson. It was released on 21 June 2019. It is his first album in four years, following Uptown Special (2015). Its lead single, "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" featuring Miley Cyrus, was released on 29 November 2018. The title track "Late Night Feelings", featuring Lykke Li, was released alongside the album pre-order on 12 April. "Don't Leave Me Lonely" was released on 17 May 2019 as the album's third single. "Find U Again" featuring Camila Cabello was released on 30 May 2019 as the fourth single. "Pieces of Us" featuring King Princess was released on 17 June 2019 as the album's fifth single.
"Sucker" is a song by American pop rock band Jonas Brothers. The song was released on March 1, 2019, through Republic Records. It is the group's first single released together in six years, since their reunion a day before the song was released. Ryan Tedder wrote and produced the song alongside the group co-writing with Louis Bell, Mustafa Ahmed and Homer Steinweiss. The song was also co-produced by Frank Dukes. The Jonas Brothers appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden each night from March 4 to 7 to promote the track. It became the brothers' biggest hit single to date, reaching number one in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Latvia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovakia and the United States.
Happiness Begins is the fifth studio album by American pop rock band Jonas Brothers, released on June 7, 2019, by Republic Records. It is their first studio album since Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009). For the record, the band enlisted producers Ryan Tedder, Greg Kurstin, Justin Tranter, along with Joel Little, Mike Sabath and Shellback to help create a "new and improved sound" with "feel-good tracks" pop album.
Jordi is the seventh studio album by American band Maroon 5. It was released on June 11, 2021, through 222, Interscope and Polydor Records. The album features guest appearances from Megan Thee Stallion, Blackbear, Stevie Nicks, Bantu, H.E.R., YG, and late rappers Juice Wrld and Nipsey Hussle. The deluxe edition of the album features additional guest appearances from Anuel AA, Tainy, and Jason Derulo.
"Remember This" is a song by American pop rock group Jonas Brothers. It was released as a single through Republic Records on June 18, 2021.
"Waffle House" is a song by American group Jonas Brothers. It was released through Republic Records as the second single from their sixth studio album, The Album, on April 7, 2023. The three group members, Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas, wrote the song with producers Jon Bellion, Ido Zmishlany, Daniel Tashian, Pete Nappi, and TenRoc, alongside Johnny Simpson and Aldae.
"Summer Baby" is a song by American group Jonas Brothers. It was sent to adult contemporary radio as the third single from their sixth studio album, The Album, on June 5, 2023. The three group members, Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas, wrote the songs with producers Jon Bellion, the Monsters & Strangerz, Pete Nappi, and TenRoc, alongside Michael Pollack and Aldae.
"Strong Enough" is a song by American pop rock group Jonas Brothers, featuring vocals from American country music singer Bailey Zimmerman. It was released as a single through Republic Records on November 10, 2023. Producers Jon Bellion, the Monsters & Strangerz, and Kid Harpoon wrote the song alongside lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards from the English rock band the Rolling Stones and songwriters Michael Pollack and Amy Allen. Vocals were handled by Nick and Joe of the Jonas Brothers, as well as Zimmerman.