Emily's D+Evolution

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Emily's D+Evolution
Emily's D+Evolution (Front Cover).jpg
Studio album by
Released4 March 2016
StudioNRG Studios, North Hollywood, California
The Magic Shop, Manhattan, New York
HUMAN (NYC), New York City, New York
Genre
Length45:44
LabelConcord
Producer
Esperanza Spalding chronology
Radio Music Society
(2012)
Emily's D+Evolution
(2016)
Exposure
(2017)

Emily's D+Evolution is the fifth studio album by the American musician Esperanza Spalding, released on 4 March 2016 on Concord Records. The album was co-produced by Spalding and longtime David Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti.[1][2] On the album, Spalding sings through the alter ego of Emily, which is her middle name.[3][4] In an interview, Spalding stated that Emily "is a spirit, or a being, or an aspect who I met, or became aware of. I recognize that my job...is to be her arms and ears and voice and body".[5]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.9/10[6]
Metacritic84/100[7]
Review scores
SourceRating
All About Jazz4.5/5 stars[8]
AllMusic4.5/5 stars[1]
Exclaim!7/10[9]
The Guardian4/5 stars[10]
Now4/5 Ns[11]
Robert Christgau(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)[12]
Pitchfork8.6/10[5]
PopMatters9/10 stars[2]
Rolling Stone4/5 stars[13]
Stereophile4.5/5 stars[14]

Emily's D+Evolution received widespread critical acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 84, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[7]

Marcus J. Moore of Pitchfork Media praised the album, stating, "The lyrics are elusive at first, darting behind fast-moving songs and delivered in impressionistic, conversational bursts that recall the delivery of Joni Mitchell. But the fearless generosity behind them communicates itself loud and clear, and it's a spirit that animates the entire album. With it, Spalding has once again redefined an already singular career, dictating a vision entirely on her own terms".[5]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Esperanza Spalding, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Good Lava" 3:38
2."Unconditional Love" 3:46
3."Judas" 4:10
4."Earth to Heaven" 3:52
5."One" 3:15
6."Rest in Pleasure" 4:59
7."Ebony and Ivy" 4:20
8."Noble Nobles"3:33
9."Farewell Dolly" 2:07
10."Elevate or Operate" 4:03
11."Funk the Fear" 5:07
12."I Want It Now"2:51
Total length:45:44

Personnel[]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Emily's D+Evolution.[15]

Main personnel
  • Esperanza Spalding – writing (1-11), vocals, bass (1-11), lyrics (8), piano (10, 12), bass synthesizer (12)
  • Matthew Stevens – guitar
  • Karriem Riggins – drums (2-5, 7, 8, 10), percussion (9)
  • Justin Tyson – drums (1, 6, 11, 12)
  • Corey King – backing vocals (1, 2, 5-7, 12), synthesizer (6), writing (8), trombone (8), keyboards (12)
  • Emily Elbert – backing vocals (1, 6, 11, 12)
  • Nadia Washington – backing vocals (2, 5, 7)
  • Celeste Butler – backing vocals (11)
  • Fred Martin – backing vocals (11)
  • Katriz Trinidad – backing vocals (11)
  • Kimberly L. Cook-Ratliff – backing vocals (11)
  • Anthony Newley – writing (12)
  • Leslie Bricusse – writing (12)
Additional personnel
  • Esperanza Spalding – production
  • Tony Visconti – production (2-5, 7-10), mixing (2-5, 7, 9, 10)
  • Kyle Hoffman – engineering
  • Tim Price – engineering
  • Erin Tonkon – assistant engineering
  • Kyle McAulay – assistant engineering
  • Martin Cooke – assistant engineering
  • Nicolas Fournier – assistant engineering
  • Rich Costey – mixing (1, 6, 8, 11, 12)
  • Mario Borgatta – assistant mixing
  • Lawrence Azerrad – graphics, design
  • Holly Andres – photography

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Collar, Matt. "Emily's D+Evolution". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Layman, Will (11 March 2016). "Emily's D+Evolution". PopMatters. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  3. ^ Chinen, Nate (17 May 2015). "Review: Esperanza Spalding Recalls the Creativity of Youth in New Songs". New York Times. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  4. ^ Johnston, Maura (3 March 2016). "Berklee's Esperanza Spalding thrills with new album". Boston Globe. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Moore, Marcus J. (4 March 2016). "Emily's D+Evolution". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Emily's D+Evolution by Esperanza Spalding reviews | Any Decent Music". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Emily's D+Evolution by Esperanza Spalding". Metacritic. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  8. ^ Turner, Mark F. (12 April 2016). "Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution". All About Jazz. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  9. ^ Warren, Michael J. (2 March 2016). "Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution". Exclaim!. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  10. ^ Fordham, John (3 March 2016). "Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution review – unconditionally terrific". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  11. ^ CLARKE, CHRISTINE (9 March 2016). ">>> Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution". Now. Now Communications. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Consumer Guide Reviews: Emily's D+Evolution". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  13. ^ Weingarten, Christopher R. (4 March 2016). "Emily's D+Evolution". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  14. ^ Baird, Robert (17 May 2016). "Recording of June 2016: Emily's D+Evolution". Stereophile. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  15. ^ Emily's D+Evolution (LP liner notes). Esperanza Spalding. Concord Records. 2016. CRE-38281-01.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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