The Glorification of Sadness is the sixth studio album by British singer Paloma Faith. It was released on 16 February 2024, through Sony Music UK and RCA Records. Serving as executive producer, Faith worked with collaborators including Chase & Status, Kojey Radical, and Amy Wadge, combining established influences with new stylistic elements. The album features four singles: the lead single "How You Leave a Man", which Faith described as a life-changing moment; "Bad Woman", concerning female empowerment; "Pressure", a collaboration with Kojey Radical; and "Sweatpants", which was released alongside the album.
The Glorification of Sadness is a chronologically structured album in which Faith narrates the emotional journey of leaving a long-term relationship. Critics praised the album's honest storytelling, vocal delivery, and diverse musical approach, highlighting its balance between raw emotion and uplifting moments.
Background and concept
In October 2023, Faith revealed that her upcoming album would be "pretty personal", stressing how "nervous" she was to put her private life out into public.[1] It was produced by Swedish producer Martin Wave, who initially worked on only one song but became the "cornerstone of the album".[2] Faith described The Glorification of Sadness as a "divorce album without the divorce", written during the aftermath of her separation from her partner of ten years, with whom she shares two children.[3] The album was inspired by the breakup with Leyman Lahcine in 2022,[4][5] and became a means for her to process a wide range of emotions—grief, resilience, anger, and even euphoria—following the split.[6] She attributed the relationship's breakdown to the changes brought on by becoming a mother in 2016, a transition that proved difficult for the couple to navigate. While acknowledging the challenges, she emphasized that she had no regrets, as their children were "worth it." Writing for the album allowed her to reflect on that period and helped her reconnect with her identity beyond motherhood and partnership.[3]
Faith described the process of making the album as shedding the need to pretend, embracing her purest truth.[7] While deeply personal,[8] Faith also expressed her determination to keep evolving, citing artists like Tina Turner and David Bowie as inspirations. Rejecting the notion that she has passed her career peak, she stated, "I tend to think there's always an anomaly... and I want to be it."[7] While she hopes for chart success, she values her relatability with listeners, jokingly calling herself "the people's princess".[1] The album's feminist core is evident, as she insisted on being credited as an executive producer to claim her contributions, marking a significant shift in her approach to artistic integrity.[7]
Alongside the album, Faith is also working on a book that delves into the experience of being a woman in a post-feminist society.[9] Titled MILF (Motherhood, Identity, Love, and Fuckery), the memoir explores themes of societal expectations, motherhood, and self-identity, offering a candid perspective on the challenges women face today.[10]
Composition
Musically, The Glorification of Sadness incorporates elements of soul and R&B, with a contemporary sound that distinguishes it from Faith's previous releases. She described the album as "probably more contemporary than I've put out [previously]" while reaffirming her long-standing connection to soul and R&B: "Let's not knock it! I've always been in soul and R&B."[1] The album, inspired by her experiences following her separation, reflects both artistic and personal changes. The Glorification of Sadness also captures a full emotional spectrum, including moments of resilience and euphoria. Faith fought to include "Cry on the Dancefloor", a dance-driven track representing catharsis in grief, insisting, "I'm not releasing the album unless this is on it!"[7]
To support the album, Faith will embark on The Glorification of Sadness Tour 2024, performing across the UK and Ireland.[11] The 35-date tour begins in Reading with a headline show at The Hexagon and includes a performance at London's Eventim Apollo, before concluding in Lincoln.[2][12][13] She is scheduled to continue the tour with upcoming performances, including Glastonbury Festival on 30 June, and shows in London, Cardiff, Coventry, and Leeds.[14]
Singles
The lead single, "How You Leave a Man" was released on 11 October, which she described as "one of the most life-changing moments" of her life.[15][16] Following "How You Leave a Man", the singer released "Bad Woman" which carries "a message of female empowerment at its very forefront".[17][18][16] "Pressure", with British artist Kojey Radical, was released on 19 January 2024 as a third single and origins from a chorus sent to her by Liam Bailey and was then co-written with Gez O'Connell.[2][16] The fourth and final single, "Sweatpants", was released simultaneously with the album on 16 February.[19]
On 21 February 2024, the track "Enjoy Yourself" was announced as an official single for the 2024 Red Nose Day campaign, organized by Comic Relief.[20] On that date, the song received a digital single, in addition to an exclusive pre-sale on Amazon for two physical versions of the song (on CD and 7-inch vinyl) released on 8 March 2024.[21]
The album received generally positive reviews. Clash awarded the album an 8 out of 10, praising it as a "succinct, soulful, and sublime" exploration of emotion and reinvention.[22]Louder Than War has described Faith's new album as blending personal experiences with universal emotions.[26]Retropop magazine's George McHugh rated The Glorification of Sadness 4 out of 5 stars. He praised "How You Leave a Man" as an "explosive" opener and highlighted "Bad Woman" and "God in a Dress" for their powerful delivery.[24]Stereoboard described the album as a record that, given its backstory, had the potential to be perfect, but felt too long and at times lacklustre despite its high points.[25]RIFF Magazine wrote that the strength of The Glorification of Sadness lies in its portrayal of the effort required to overcome hardship, suggesting that reflection can lead to growth and self-discovery.[27]
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