Singular: Act I

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Singular: Act I
Sabrina Carpenter - Singular Act I.png
Studio album by
Sabrina Carpenter
ReleasedNovember 9, 2018
Recorded2017–2018
Studio
  • The Stellar House (Venice, California)
  • Chumba Meadows (Tarzana, California)
  • Studio Nation (West Hollywood, California)
  • SuCasa Recording, Roxstone Studios and M&S Studios (Los Angeles, California)
  • Wolf Cousins Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
  • Resonate Studios (Burbank, California)
  • Sienna Studios
Genre
Length25:01
LabelHollywood
Producer
Sabrina Carpenter chronology
Pandora Sessions
(2017) 		Singular: Act I
(2018) 		Singular: Act II
(2019)
Sabrina Carpenter studio album chronology
Evolution
(2016) 		Singular: Act I
(2018) 		Singular: Act II
(2019)
Singles from Singular: Act I
  1. "Almost Love"
    Released: June 6, 2018
  2. "Sue Me"
    Released: November 9, 2018

Singular: Act I is the third studio album by American singer Sabrina Carpenter. It was released on November 9, 2018, through Hollywood Records. The album is the follow-up to her 2016 studio album, Evolution. It is considered the first half of a two-piece project, later being supplemented by her fourth studio album Singular: Act II (2019). Carpenter began writing the album in 2016, shortly after the launch of Evolution but she only began to record the songs in 2017.[1] The album features eight songs, all of which she co-wrote.[2] The compact disc was exclusively released for sale at Target stores.[3] In support of both Singular: Act I and Act II, Carpenter embarked on the Singular Tour in March 2019.

The lead single, "Almost Love", was released on June 6, 2018. "Sue Me" was impacted mainstream radio in January 2019 as the album's second official single. It was also supported by two promotional singles: "Paris" and "Bad Time", the former of which was released on October 24, 2018, along with the album's pre-order. The singles "Why" and "Alien" were included on the Japanese edition of the album.

The album received positive reviews from music critics, and commercially the album debuted at number 103 on the US Billboard 200.

Background[]

Carpenter began teasing the album in May 2018 with the release of the album's lead single "Almost Love".[4] On June 2, 2018, Carpenter released a trailer directed by Lauren Dunn,[5][6] which coincided with her performance of "Almost Love" at Wango Tango.[7] In the trailer, Carpenter announced that the album was called Singular and that it was scheduled for a winter 2018 release. One June 22, 2018, Carpenter revealed in an interview on the Zach Sang Show that her previous two singles "Why" and "Alien" would not appear on the album. On October 1, 2018, Carpenter performed "Almost Love" on The Late Late Show With James Corden.[8] During the performance, Carpenter ripped off a piece of the set wall revealing a part of the album cover art. Then at the end of the performance, Carpenter spray painted "11/9" on the wall indicating that the album was scheduled for release on November 9, 2018.[9] On October 15, 2018, Carpenter posted a teaser of a song off Singular later revealed to be "Hold Tight". On October 22, 2018, Carpenter formally announced the album and announced that it would be released in two "acts" with Act I being released on November 9, 2018, and Act II "coming soon".[10] She also released Act I's full cover art and track list that day.[11][12]

Composition[]

Musically, Singular: Act I is a dance[13] and dance-pop record,[14] and lyrically, it is about empowering tough, admirable behavior.[15] The album opens with lead single "Almost Love", which Mike Nied of Idolator described as an "edgy anthem".[16] The song contains "intermittent whistles and drums" and is about a relationship ready to take the next step.[17] "Paris" is "an ode to the city of love" that reminds the singer of a Los Angeles lover while in Paris. "Hold Tight" is a "slinky and vaguely retro R&B" song that is the album's sole collaboration. "Sue Me" is described as a "sassy kiss-off" that talks about the end of a relationship. Carpenter has also described the song as representing pure confidence.[18] "Prfct" is a song discussing the reality of love. The song's production puts Carpenter's vocals at the forefront.[17] "Bad Time" is a "synth-driven" song. Nied described "Mona Lisa" as "enticing" and containing "flirty and creative lines." The album's closing track, "Diamonds Are Forever" sees the singer recognizing her worth.[16] It contains soulful vocals from Carpenter.[19] The Line of Best Fit called the song a "theatrical belter."[17]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Earmilk9.0/10 stars[19]
The Line of Best Fit7.5/10 stars[17]
Afinitty8.8/10 stars[20]

Mike Nied of Idolator wrote that the album is an "eight-track collection is jam-packed with bop after bop." He called the album "lush with potential hits" and "another near-perfect work from one of the industry's brightest young stars."[16] Larisha Paul of EarMilk rated the album 9.0 out of ten, giving praise to Carpenter's vocals, writing that "her inarguable dynamic vocal performances that remain consistent in every track is what sets her apart from the rest."[19] The Line of Best Fit rated the album 7.5 out of 10, stating that "it's certainly no small triumph that Singular: Act I stands so firmly by itself – and its creation marks an exciting new phase of an artist properly coming into her own."[17] Lucy Parry from Affinity called the album "a pop masterpiece" and its production "exquisite" also praising the use of more mature themes compared to her previous works.[20]

Singles[]

The lead single from the album, "Almost Love", was released on June 6, 2018. It reached number 21 on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart[21] and became Carpenter's second song to top the Dance Club Songs chart.[22] "Almost Love" was supplemented with a music video, which was released through Vevo and YouTube on July 13, 2018.[23] It was promoted by live performances at Wango Tango, Good Morning America and The Late Late Show with James Corden.[24][25][26]

"Sue Me" was confirmed as the album's second single.[3] It impacted mainstream radio on January 8, 2019.[27] It received a music video on November 16, 2018.[28] Carpenter promoted the single with live performances on The Today Show and Live with Kelly and Ryan.[18][29] The singles "Why" and "Alien" were included on the Japanese edition of the album, but were removed from the standard track listing.[30]

Promotional singles[]

The album was made available for pre-order and the first promotional single, titled "Paris", was released on October 24, 2018.[31] The second promotional single "Bad Time" was released on November 2, 2018.[32]

Promotion[]

Carpenter embarked on the Singular Tour, beginning in Orlando, Florida on March 2, 2019, in support of the album and its follow up Singular: Act II.

Track listing[]

Standard Edition[33]
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducersLength
1."Almost Love"
  • Stargate
  • Tim Blacksmith[a]
  • Danny D[a]
3:32
2."Paris"
3:38
3."Hold Tight" (featuring Uhmeer)
Sabath2:55
4."Sue Me"
2:59
5."prfct"
Persuad2:46
6."Bad Time"
Görres[b]3:04
7."Mona Lisa"
  • James Abrahart
  • Carpenter
  • Campany
  • Jordan Johnson
  • Stefan Johnson
  • Marcus Lomax
  • Oliver Peterhof
  • German
  • The Monsters and the Strangerz
2:18
8."Diamonds Are Forever"
Carlsson[b]3:49
Total length:25:01
Japanese Edition bonus tracks[34]
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducersLength
9."Alien" (with Jonas Blue)
Jonas Blue2:55
10."Almost Love" (Stargate warehouse mix)
  • Carpenter
  • Jones
  • Campany
  • Eriksen
Stargate[e]3:20
11."Sue Me" (KC Lights remix)
  • Carpenter
  • Felder
  • Jones
  • Brown
  • Simmons
3:22
12."Alien" (with Jonas Blue - M-22 remix)
  • Carpenter
  • Bennett
  • Blue
3:25
13."Why"
Jeberg2:51
Total length:39:55

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies an executive producer
  • ^[b] signifies an also vocal producer
  • ^[c] signifies a vocal producer
  • ^[d] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[e] signifies an also remixer
  • ^[f] signifies a remixer

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Singular: Act I.[35]

Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered at[]

Vocals[]

Instrumentation[]

  • Nils-Petter Ankarblom – synthesizer strings (8)
  • David Bukovinszky – cello (8)
  • Mattias Bylund – synthesizer pad, strings (8)
  • Johan Carlsson – piano, guitar, synthesizer, tambourine (8)
  • Jason Evigan – instrumentation (2)
  • Oscar Görres – keyboard, bass, guitar, drums, percussion (6)
  • Mattias Johansson – violin (8)
  • The Monsters and the Strangerz – instrumentation (7)
  • Oliver "German" Peterhof – instrumentation (7)
  • Mikkel S. Eriksen – instrumentation, (1)

Production[]

  • Tim Blacksmith – executive production (1)
  • "Downtown" Trevor Brown – co-production (4)
  • Johan Carlsson – production, vocal production (8)
  • Danny D – executive production (1)
  • Jason Evigan – production, vocal production (2)
  • Warren "Oak" Felder – production (4)
  • Greg "G GOLT" Golterman – production coordination (7)
  • Oscar Görres – production, vocal production (6)
  • Christian "GJ" Johnson – production coordination (7)
  • Zaire Koalo – co-production (4)
  • Jeremy "JBOOGS" Levin – production coordination (7)
  • Brett McLaughlin – vocal production (2)
  • The Monsters and the Strangerz – production (7)
  • Rob Persaud – production (5)
  • Oliver "German" Peterhof – production (7)
  • Mike Sabath – production (3)
  • David "DSLIB" Silberstein – production coordination (7)
  • Stargate – production (1)
  • Gian Stone – vocal production (2)

Technical[]

  • Nils-Petter Ankarblom – string arrangement (8)
  • William Binderup – mix assistant (3)
  • Tim Brennan – assistant engineering (8)
  • John Bruington – assistant engineering (8)
  • Johan Carlsson – programming, engineering (8)
  • Eric J Dubowsky – mixing (1-2, 4)
  • Mikkel S. Eriksen – recording, programming, (1)
  • Jason Evigan – programming (2)
  • Warren "Oak" Felder – engineering, programming, (4)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (all tracks)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (6-8)
  • Oscar Görres – programming (6)
  • John Hanes – engineering (6-8)
  • Stefan Johnson – engineering (7)
  • Thomas Kang – assistant engineering (8)
  • Zaire Koalo – drum programming (4)
  • Erik Madrid – mixing (3)
  • The Monsters and the Strangerz – programming (7)
  • Rob Persaud – engineering, mixing (5)
  • Oliver "German" Peterhof – programming (7)
  • Keith "DaQuan" Sorrells – assistant engineering (4)
  • Gian Stone – engineering (2)
  • Thomas Warren – recording (1)
  • Tim Watt – mix assistant (1-2, 4)

Design[]

  • Amber Park – creative direction, design
  • Stijn van Hapert - design
  • Elsa Henneke – design
  • Amanda Charchian – photography

Charts[]

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[36] 20
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[37] 198
France Downloads Albums (SNEP)[38] 84
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[39] 183
UK Download Albums (OCC)[40] 48
US Billboard 200[41] 103

Release history[]

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various November 9, 2018 Digital download Hollywood [42]
United States CD [43]
United Kingdom Polydor [44]
Japan December 12, 2018 Universal [34]
Various October 18, 2019 LP [45]

References[]

  1. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Talks Almost Love, Singular & Marshmello". YouTube. June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter reveals details of new album "Singular: Act 1"". ABC News Radio Online. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sabrina Carpenter announces 'Singular, Act I'". The Music Universe. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter on Instagram: '