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==Promotion==
==Promotion==
[[File:Melanie_C_Colour_and_Light_LIVE.jpg|thumb|right|Chisholm performing her "Colour and Light" livestream, 1 October 2020.]]
[[File:Melanie_C_Colour_and_Light_LIVE.jpg|thumb|right|Chisholm performing her "Colour and Light" livestream, 1 October 2020.]]
On 1 October 2020, Chisholm performed a virtual event, Colour & Light.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melanie C – Colour & Light Stream (UK) |url=https://www.universe.com/events/melanie-c-colour-light-stream-uk-tickets-NXRBCS |website=Universe |accessdate=2 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002141056/https://www.universe.com/events/melanie-c-colour-light-stream-uk-tickets-NXRBCS |archivedate=2 October 2020 |location=United Kingdom |url-status=dead}}</ref> During the one-hour event, she performed songs from the album, as well as previewed her live show.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melanie C {{!}} Colour and Light Live Stream |url=https://melaniec.net/livestream/ |website=Official Website |accessdate=2 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002141619/https://melaniec.net/livestream/ |archivedate=2 October 2020 |location=United Kingdom |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metro.news/weekend-metros-pick-of-this-weeks-music-streams-2/2158430/|title=Weekend: Metro’s pick of this week’s music streams|date=25 September 2020|accessdate=2 October 2020|website=Metro}}</ref> On 2 October 2020, Chisholm appeared on [[BBC Radio 2]]'s ''The [[Zoe Ball]] Breakfast Show'', where she sang "In and Out of Love" and Spice Girl classic, "[[Too Much (Spice Girls song)|Too Much]]". Chisholm appeared on [[BBC One]]'s ''[[The One Show]]'' later that evening to discuss the new album.
On 1 October 2020, Chisholm performed a virtual event, Colour & Light.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melanie C – Colour & Light Stream (UK) |url=https://www.universe.com/events/melanie-c-colour-light-stream-uk-tickets-NXRBCS |website=Universe |accessdate=2 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002141056/https://www.universe.com/events/melanie-c-colour-light-stream-uk-tickets-NXRBCS |archivedate=2 October 2020 |location=United Kingdom |url-status=dead}}</ref> During the one-hour event, she performed songs from the album, as well as previewed her live show.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melanie C {{!}} Colour and Light Live Stream |url=https://melaniec.net/livestream/ |website=Official Website |accessdate=2 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002141619/https://melaniec.net/livestream/ |archivedate=2 October 2020 |location=United Kingdom |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metro.news/weekend-metros-pick-of-this-weeks-music-streams-2/2158430/|title=Weekend: Metro’s pick of this week’s music streams|date=25 September 2020|accessdate=2 October 2020|website=Metro}}</ref> On 2 October 2020, Chisholm appeared on [[BBC Radio 2]]'s ''The [[Zoe Ball]] Breakfast Show'', where she sang "In and Out of Love" and Spice Girl classic, "[[Too Much (Spice Girls song)|Too Much]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000mz5k|title=The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show - Dolly Parton, Graham Norton and Melanie C|website=BBC Radio 2|accessdate=3 October 2020}}</ref> Chisholm appeared on [[BBC One]]'s ''[[The One Show]]'' later that evening to discuss the new album.


===Singles===
===Singles===

Revision as of 00:19, 3 October 2020

Melanie C
Studio album by
Melanie C
Released2 October 2020 (2020-10-02)
Recorded2019–2020
Length35:03
LabelRed Girl Media
Producer
Melanie C chronology
Version of Me
(2016) 		Melanie C
(2020)
Singles from Melanie C
  1. "Who I Am"
    Released: 13 March 2020
  2. "Blame It on Me"
    Released: 27 May 2020
  3. "In and Out of Love"
    Released: 29 July 2020
  4. "Fearless"
    Released: 16 September 2020

Melanie C is the eighth studio album by English recording artist Melanie C. It was released on 2 October 2020 by Red Girl Media. The album was preceded by the singles "Who I Am", "Blame It on Me", "In and Out of Love" and "Fearless", the latter of which features rapper Nadia Rose.

Background and concept

"Obviously, I'm making a pop-dance record and I'm a mature artist, so I have to accept that some radio stations are not going to be playing me anymore. That's something to overcome. But I want people to enjoy this album, I want people to dance to it, I want people to be empowered by it. And when coronavirus has done one, I want to get out there and perform it live."[1]

— Chisholm during an interview with BBC Music, 2 August 2020

Chisholm started recording the album in 2019 after being inspired by her reunion with the Spice Girls and their Spice World – 2019 Tour after the year "felt like a real celebration". She said the experience had "actually been quite inspiring for this album" as she "reflected" during her time on stage. Chisholm teamed up with drag collective Sink the Pink to release the single "High Heels" and embark on a world tour of LGBTQ Pride events.[2][3] Although the single does not feature on Melanie C, it launched a new sound for the singer, with her embarking on a new dance-based route rather than her previous alternative pop recordings. Chisholm elaborated on her inspiration for the album: "I had this song going into the Spice shows where I was nervous about being Sporty again. But singing those songs in rehearsals I realised I am here, she is within me. It made me reflect on my life and inform this album. I wanted to make an album that really acknowledged that. I felt it was time to embrace everything about myself, Sporty, Melanie, mum, girlfriend, cleaner, cook, therapist. And I wanted it to be empowering and fun [...] This [album] is different because I have massive new changes behind the scenes, new management. Not many people survived the cull. Importantly new A&R, and I was introduced to lots of new artists, songwriters and producers, it really feels like a new chapter."[4] On 7 August 2019, Chisholm legally changed her company's name from Red Girl Touring Limited to Red Girl Media Limited.[5]

Speaking with Vogue, Chisholm spoke on the album's sound and her own self-confidence, stating: "I think some of it comes with age. Being at this point in my life, and being a mum, all of these are little steps that help build your confidence. The Spice Girls tour last year was hugely influential for this record, and beyond that, I also did a world Pride tour; we started in San Paolo and we ended in Australia. [...] I spent a lot of my youth feeling like I wasn’t enough, or I wasn’t worthy, or having guilt attached to my success with the girls. But all these experiences made me really appreciate it for the first time."[6]

Promotion

File:Melanie C Colour and Light LIVE.jpg
Chisholm performing her "Colour and Light" livestream, 1 October 2020.

On 1 October 2020, Chisholm performed a virtual event, Colour & Light.[7] During the one-hour event, she performed songs from the album, as well as previewed her live show.[8] [9] On 2 October 2020, Chisholm appeared on BBC Radio 2's The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, where she sang "In and Out of Love" and Spice Girl classic, "Too Much".[10] Chisholm appeared on BBC One's The One Show later that evening to discuss the new album.

Singles

On 19 March 2020, Chisholm released the album's first single, "Who I Am", which saw her exploring self-compassion she had lost during her time in the spotlight. The music video was directed by Sylvie Weber.[11] Chisholm said of the inspiration for the single, "I've talked quite openly about mental health issues I've suffered with. I've had depression over the years and when I was younger I suffered from an eating disorder. So I think when you just finally allow yourself to be proud of some of the difficulties you've overcome then you can kind of find that place to start liking yourself a bit more."[12] Melanie performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden and recorded a second music video showing her at home[13] during the pandemic. "Who I Am" did not enter the Official UK Top 100 Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 27 on the Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 in its second week of release.[14] The physical 2CD deluxe bonus track Joe Goddard remix was released on 1 April 2020.[15]

The album's second single, "Blame It on Me", was released two months later on 27 May 2020, with the theme of the song "calling out toxicity in a relationship."[16] The music video was directed by Sylvie Weber.[17] Whilst promoting the single on Sunday Brunch, Chisholm stated "Because I was nervous about becoming Sporty Spice again, but I realised quickly I don't become her, I am her. It's a huge part of who I am. That's when I just started to embrace everything about myself. This album is really empowering and I have the Spice Girls to thank for feeling that way about myself and everything we achieved."[18] "Blame It on Me" did not enter the Official UK Top 100 Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 66 on the Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100.[19]

To coincide with the album's announcement and pre-order,[20][21] on 29 July 2020, Chisholm released the album's third single, "In and Out of Love" and premiered the track on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on the same day. The choreography-heavy music video was directed by Graham Cruz and filmed, socially-distanced, at Alexandra Palace. The video features Chisholm's backing dancers from the Spice World 2019 Tour. Chisholm said ahead of the single's release: "It’s so brilliant to release a pure pop, upbeat, positive fun tune. I think it’s exactly what the world needs right now!"[22] Chisholm performed the single remotely, from home, for Brazilian late-night talk show Conversa Com Bial on 30 July 2020, and The Morning Show (Canadian TV program) on 12 August 2020.[23]

"Fearless", featuring Croydon-based rapper Nadia Rose, was released as the album's fourth single on 16 September 2020. Of the collaboration, Rose stated: "It’s no secret that I’m a super Spice Girls fan, so this whole experience has been very surreal."[24][25] On 29 September 2020, "Overload" was released as a promotional single.[26]

Tour

Chisholm is set to embark on a 19-date tour to support the album, scheduled to begin 28 April 2021 and conclude on 25 May 2021, visiting cities across Europe and the United Kingdom.[27]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Albumism[29]
Clash6/10[30]
Evening Standard[31]
i[32]
The Independent[33]
Metro[34]
NME[35]
Retro Pop Magazine[36]
Riff Magazine6/10[37]

Album of the Year collected seven reviews and calculated an average of 67 out of 100.[28] David Smyth of Evening Standard gave the album four out of five stars, calling the album "fresh and energetic," and complimented Chisholm's use of "contemporary electronic styles without sounding like she’s trying too hard for renewed relevance." He further complimented Chisholm for sounding "confident and empowered."[38] In a mixed review from NME, Rhian Daly wrote that the album "serves as its creator’s best work in decades," but has "misfires here and there."[39] In another four out of five stars review, Caroline Sullivan of Metro was enthusiastic about the album: "Thrumming build-ups, explosive choruses, thunderous drops: against this immersive backdrop, [Chisholm's] performance is fresh and authoritative."[40] Quentin Harrison, writing for Albumism believed Chisholm "has used her commitment to her art as her sword and shield to best even her harshest critics [...] she epitomizes the pop music survivor who—across multiple albums—has now carved out a wholly unique space all to herself."[41] Fiona Sturges, writing for i, felt that though singles "Who I Am", "Fearless" and In and Out of Love" worked, the album was filled with "the kind of tinny, production-line club pop made for pumping into the changing rooms at Topshop – if nothing else than to stop the punters from loitering."[42] In a review forThe Independent, Helen Brown describes Melanie C as the singer's "best solo record to date, [...] jammed with glitterball grooves that nod cheekily to a crateful of retro dance floor classics", noting Chisholm's "mature and confident vocals".[43]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from Apple Music.[44] Credits adapted from Spotify metadata.[45] Deluxe track listing adapted from CD booklet.

Melanie C track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Who I Am"
Ten Ven3:32
2."Blame It on Me"
  • Chisholm
  • Niahm Murphy
  • Samuel Brennan
  • Tom Hollings
Billen Ted3:08
3."Good Enough"
Billen Ted3:36
4."Escape"
  • Lewis
  • Babalola
  • Chisholm
  • Poppy Bascombe
Future Cut3:10
5."Overload"
Reid3:18
6."Fearless" (featuring Nadia Rose)
O'Duffy4:07
7."Here I Am"
Ten Ven3:28
8."Nowhere to Run"
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Chisholm
Stannard3:34
9."In and Out of Love"
  • Stannard
  • Jonathan Howard
  • Joseph Murphy
  • Chisholm
1Bit3:14
10."End of Everything"
Future Cut3:56
Total length:35:03
Melanie C deluxe disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Self Love"
  • Chisholm
  • Neville
  • Bascombe
Billen Ted 
2."Into You"
  • Chisholm
  • Murphy
  • Brennan
  • Hollings
Billen Ted 
3."Touch Me"
Billen Ted 
4."Who I Am" (Joe Goddard remix)
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Christopher
  • Chisholm
Ten Ven6:25
5."Blame It on Me" (PBH & Jack remix)
  • Chisholm
  • Murphy
  • Brennan
  • Hollings
Billen Ted2:48
6."High Heels" (featuring Sink the Pink) (Moto Blanco remix)
Alex Metric & Fryars3:48

Release history

Release dates and formats for Melanie C
Region Date Formats Editions Labels Refs.
Various 2 October 2020
Standard Red Girl Media, LLC. [44][46]
Deluxe [46]

References

  1. ^ Savage, Mark (2 August 2020). "Melanie C: 'People think I'm mouthy, but I'm really quiet and gentle'". Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. ^ Myers, Justin (7 November 2019). "Melanie C releases new single High Heels, with LGBTQ club collective Sink The Pink". Official Charts. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Melanie C + Sink The Pink Global Pride Tour 2019". 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Melanie C to release self-titled album in October". The List. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Red Girl Media Limited". Company's House. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. ^ Allaire, Christian (1 October 2020). "Introducing the Real Mel C". Vogue. United States: Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Melanie C – Colour & Light Stream (UK)". Universe. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Melanie C | Colour and Light Live Stream". Official Website. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Weekend: Metro's pick of this week's music streams". Metro. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  10. ^ "The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show - Dolly Parton, Graham Norton and Melanie C". BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Melanie C – Who I Am [Official Video]". YouTube. United States. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Melanie C says self-compassion came with age". 30 May 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ "Melanie C - Who I Am (Home Video)". YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 27 March 2020 - 02 April 2020". Official Charts Company. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Who I Am (Joe Goddard Remix) – Single by Melanie C". Apple Music. United States. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Melanie C releases new single Blame It On Me". Entertainment Focus. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  17. ^ Spanos, Brittany (27 May 2020). "Melanie C Becomes Video Game Character in 'Blame It on Me' Video". Rolling Stone. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  18. ^ Green, Alex (14 June 2020). "Spice Girls reunion inspired my 'empowering' new album, says Mel C". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 29 May 2020 - 04 June 2020". Official Charts Company. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  20. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (1 August 2020). "Melanie C to release self-titled album in October". Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  21. ^ Aniftos, Rania (29 July 2020). "Melanie C Announces Self-Titled Album, Unveils Single 'In And Out of Love'". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  22. ^ Schaffer, Claire (29 July 2020). "Melanie C Announces New Album, Shares 'In and Out of Love'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Melanie C - In And Out Of Love Live At The Morning Show Canada 12.08.2020". 13 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  24. ^ Spanos, Brittany (16 September 2020). "Melanie C Recruits Nadia Rose for New Single 'Fearless'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  25. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (16 September 2020). "Spice Girl Melanie C Teams With Rising Star Nadia Rose for 'Fearless'". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Overload – song by Melanie C". Spotify. Sweden. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  27. ^ Lim, Eddy (19 August 2020). "Melanie C announces UK and Europe 2021 headline tour". NME. United Kingdom: Bandlab Technologies. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Melanie C – Melanie C". Album of the Year. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  29. ^ Harrison, Quentin (2 October 2020). "Melanie C Returns Invigorated and Liberated with Excellent, Eponymous Eighth Album 'Melanie C'". Albumism. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020. {{cite web}}: Text "Review" ignored (help)
  30. ^ McDonagh, Shannon (1 October 2020). "Melanie C - Melanie C - A source of jubilation in a fraught year..." Clash. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020. {{cite web}}: Text "Review" ignored (help)
  31. ^ Smyth, David (2 October 2020). "Melanie C – Melanie C review: Fresh, without sounding like she's trying too hard". Evening Standard. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  32. ^ Sturges, Fiona (1 October 2020). "Melanie C, review: The Spice Girls' best singer still struggles to find a sound that fits". i. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  33. ^ Brown, Helen (1 October 2020). "Melanie C: The former Spice Girl's best solo record to date". The Independent. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  34. ^ Sullivan, Carol (2 October 2020). "Album review: Melanie C — Melanie C". Metro. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  35. ^ Daly, Rhian (1 October 2020). "Melanie C – 'Melanie C' review: a celebration of self-acceptance from one of the queens of girl power". NME. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  36. ^ "Melanie C – Melanie C". Retro Pop Magazine. United Kingdom. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  37. ^ Hoffman, Tim (2 October 2020). "Melanie C introspective and self-affirming on eighth solo album". Riff Magazine. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  38. ^ Smyth, David (2 October 2020). "Melanie C – Melanie C review: Fresh, without sounding like she's trying too hard". Evening Standard. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  39. ^ Daly, Rhian (1 October 2020). "Melanie C – 'Melanie C' review: a celebration of self-acceptance from one of the queens of girl power". NME. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  40. ^ Sullivan, Carol (2 October 2020). "Album review: Melanie C — Melanie C". Metro. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  41. ^ Harrison, Quentin (2 October 2020). "Melanie C Returns Invigorated and Liberated with Excellent, Eponymous Eighth Album 'Melanie C'". Albumism. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020. {{cite web}}: Text "Review" ignored (help)
  42. ^ Sturges, Fiona (1 October 2020). "Melanie C, review: The Spice Girls' best singer still struggles to find a sound that fits". i. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  43. ^ Brown, Helen (1 October 2020). "Melanie C: The former Spice Girl's best solo record to date". The Independent. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  44. ^ a b "Melanie C by Melanie C". Apple Music. United States. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  45. ^ "Melanie C – album by Melanie C". Spotify. Sweden. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  46. ^ a b "Melanie C Official Store". Official Store. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
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