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. The Glorification of Sadness debuted and peaked at number two in both the UK Albums Chart and the Scottish Albums Chart.
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 has 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 her children were "worth it." Writing for the album not only allowed her to reflect on that period but it also served as an emotional outlet, helping 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."[1] While she hoped for chart success, she valued 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 was 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
The Glorification of Sadness incorporates elements of soul and R&B, with a contemporary sound that distinguishes it from Faith's previous releases.[1] 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.[7]
A 14-second sample from "Eat Shit and Die". The singer herself highlighted the line "I'm not here for your pleasure; I'm working on me" as a reflection of her trademark humour and assertive, light-hearted response to her breakup.[11]
The album's tracklist follows a chronological order, reflecting Faith's emotional journey through grief, guilt, and self-reflection.[11] It opens with "Sweatpants", a ballad that combines emotional lyricism with subtle electronic elements.[12] "Pressure", featuring Kojey Radical, incorporates hip-hop elements,[12] and "God in a Dress" explores feminist ideas through its assertive lyrics.[12] "How You Leave a Man" presents a confident and expressive vocal performance,[11] featuring epic orchestration and hair metal-style guitar solos.[13] "There's Nothing More Human Than Failure" presents a spoken-word gospel style, adding a reflective interlude to the album.[13] "Bad Woman" delivers themes of empowerment and resistance to societal expectations.[11] "Cry on the Dance Floor" introduces a dance[11] and pop banger sound.[12] "Say My Name" highlights Faith asserting herself vocally,[13] while soft rock anthem[14] "Let It Ride" continues the album's exploration of self-expression.[13] "The Big Bang Ending" and "Hate When You're Happy" contribute to the album's thematic portrayal of breakup and personal growth.[13] "Eat Shit and Die" adopts doo-wop influences and a humorous tone, shifting toward a message of personal independence.[11] "Divorce" is an orchestral ballad addressing the emotional aftermath of separation.[11] "Enjoy Yourself" and "I Am Enough" further explore themes of self-acceptance and reflection.[13] "Mirror to Mirror" serves as an entr'acte with cinematic ambience, contributing to the album's soundtrack-like quality.[13] The album concludes with "Already Broken", which serves as a defiant and reflective closing track.[12]
Promotion
Singles
The lead single, "How You Leave a Man" was released on 11 October 2023, which she described as "one of the most life-changing moments" of her life.[15] Following that, the signer released "Bad Woman" on 24 November 2023,[16] which carries "a message of female empowerment at its very forefront".[17][18] "Pressure", a collaboration with British artist Kojey Radical, was released on 19 January 2024 as the third single. The song originated from a chorus sent to her by Liam Bailey and was later co-written with Gez O'Connell.[2] 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 a single for the 2024 Red Nose Day campaign, organized by Comic Relief.[20][21] On that date, the song was issued as a digital single. An exclusive pre-sale on Amazon was also opened for two physical editions of the song—on CD and 7-inch vinyl—released on 8 March 2024.[20]
To support the album, Faith was set to embark on The Glorification of Sadness Tour 2024, performing across the UK and Ireland.[22] The 35-date tour began in Reading with a headline show at The Hexagon and includes a performance at London's Eventim Apollo, before concluding in Lincoln.[2][23][24] She was scheduled to continue the tour with upcoming performances, including Glastonbury Festival on 30 June, and shows in London, Cardiff, Coventry, and Leeds.[25]
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.[11]Louder Than War has described Faith's new album as blending personal experiences with universal emotions.[27]Retropop magazine's George McHugh described the album marked a welcome return to form, as her previous record, Infinite Things (2020), "often didn't pack the punch of her earlier releases."[26]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.[12]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.[28]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
