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The Female Boss

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Untitled

The Female Boss is the debut studio album by British singer and former N-Dubz member Tulisa Contostavlos. It was released on 3 December 2012 via All Around the World and Island Records.[1] The album's artwork was revealed on 6 October 2012 via Contostavlos's official Facebook page. The Female Boss originally was to be released on 26 November but was pushed back by one week. It incorporates pop, dance and R&B styles while enlisting a variety of producers; The-Dream, Fazer, Stereotypes, Rico Love, Diane Warren and Ed White, among others. The album features guests appearances from British rapper Wiley, American rapper Tyga and Nines. Three singles preceded the album's release; the lead single "Young" peaked at number 1 while "Live It Up" and "Sight of You" peaked within the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart.

Upon its release, The Female Boss has received generally negative reviews from most music critics, many critics panning the themes, intro of the album, production and some lyrical content, while some critics felt the dance songs were highlights. Commercially, the album opened with extremely poor sales, debuting at number 35 on the UK Albums Chart and number 55 in Ireland.[2]

Background

Recording on the album began in July 2011, and concluded in May 2012, with the release of the lead single, the summer club party anthem, "Young". The album's second single, urban party hit "Live It Up", was released on September 9, 2012, before heartfelt ballad "Sight of You" is released on November 25, 2012 as the album's third single. Tulisa revealed that her decision to release three singles prior to the album's release was to "focus on the long-term sales of the record".[3] "Visa" was originally recorded by N-Dubz for their third studio album, Love.Live.Life in 2010 but didn't make the final tracklist.[4]

Tulisa said of the album in an interview with Digital Spy: ""Having a number one album isn't important. Let me tell you something, do you know how many artists go to number one in the charts and they release on a certain week because they know that in that week they have more chance of going to number one? Then they drop out of the album charts a week later and they might have sold 100,000 when they could have sold 400,000. For me, just like with N-Dubz, I don't care about having a number one album, I care about going platinum. I care about the overall sales. What's the point in having a number one but people saying, 'She only sold 60,000 though'? I don't want that. Most people these days kind of drop the one single and then the album but that was one thing I said I would never do," she explained. "I have to put the background work in. I've got to give people a reason to buy it. I want to prove myself this year, more than ever, as a musician and as a solo artist."[5]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic36/100[6]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[7]
The Independent[8]
Metro[9]
4Music[10]
MusicOMH[11]
Digital Spy[12]
The Observer[13]
Q(mixed)[14]

The Female Boss has received overwhelming negative reviews from contemporary music critics.[15] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, The Female Boss received an average score of 36, which indicates "generally unfavorable reviews", based on 4 reviews.[6] Robert Heller from Metro.co.uk awarded a sole star out of five, jokingly comparing "Freddy Krueger scratching an infinite blackboard" to the album. He criticized the album's so called "pop music" saying "Pop does not have to be like this" and "The rest continues the pound-shop Rihanna sound without the panache."[9] Lewis Corner from Digital Spy was less harher, but criticized the production with The-Dream saying "The result is an overly-considered debut that suffers from one-too-many label hook-ups for a singer who is way out of her depth."[12] Phil Mongredien from The Observer awarded it two stars out of five believing her debut doesn't sound promising.[13] Amy Gravelle from Entertainmentwise felt that the R&B and Hip-Hop songs were main issues on the album and felt she should stick to dance music, and criticized her "cliched lyrics" and themes on the entire album.[16]

Philip Matusavage from MusicOMH awarded it a sole star out of five, saying "[The Female Boss] is more endurance test than anything else, with the strong sense of ‘will this do?’." He panned the intro and themes, calling them "hilarious" and felt "bafflement is typical of an album which has almost no identity of its own, instead sounding like a calculated effort to target certain demographic markets."[11] Q gave it a mixed review, feeling the album "Struggles to get to grips with the predictably generic R&B ballads."[14] Aneet Nijjar from Allmusic rated the album one-and-a-half stars out of five. In comparison to her former band N-dubz, she stated they had "have bags of charisma, and most important of all, the songs" but stated the album "has neither." She found that Tulisa didn't "convince" her abilities of producing pop and urban music and criticized it for being "fleeting and insufficient", calling the album "a lamentable debut all round."[7]

The album did receive, albeit little, positive remarks. Andy Gill from The Independent compared her production to Rihanna saying she tries to " to turn adversity to her advantage, employing the incident as her own version of the familiar R&B soap-opera gambit, whereby the private life becomes the subtext" and felt most of the songs were "bad."[8] Many fans and public reactions have also been overwhelmingly negative, with the score on Metacritic being 2.7 out of 10, since December 2012.[6]

Commercial response

The Female Boss entered the UK Singles Chart lower than its midweek position, debuting at number 35. Following this, the results became a poor effort compared to her ex-band member Dappy's performance with his debut studio album Bad Intentions, which made the top ten at number six although it sold less then The Female Boss selling 12,000 compared to Tulisa's 15,000 start, the first for an N-Dubz ex-member.[17] the following week the album dropped 28 places to 35

Singles

"Young" was released as the album's lead single on 29 April 2012.[18] The single went straight to number one in the United Kingdom, becoming the fastest selling debut single of the year, and the third fastest selling single overall, following the release of Cheryl Cole's "Call My Name".[19] "Live It Up" was released as the album's second single on September 10, 2012. The track was announced on July 24, and features vocals from American rapper Tyga. Contostavlos commented on the song, saying: "This track is me going back to being me, and trying to define myself as an artist. It's even more urban than anything else i've done before".[20] The music video was released on August 24, 2012[21] and the single peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]

"Sight of You" and "Live Your Life"[22] were released as a double A-side, and the album's third single on 25 November 2012. On 11 September, Contostavlos revealed that "Sight of You" would be a "Christmassy ballad", stating "I think it's important for every artist to have that ballad that stands the test of time."[23] "Live Your Life" (previously revealed to be "Freedom", and later re-titled) was written and produced by fellow N-Dubz musician Fazer, and is similar to her debut single, "Young".[24] The song premiered on radio on 19 October 2012.[25] Tulisa confirmed during an interview with KissFM that the music video would be released on 22 October. She performed the single on The X Factor on 2 December. The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 18, becoming Contostavlos's lowest-charting solo single in the UK.

Tracklisting

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"Tulisa Contostavlos, Patrick PatrikiosPatrick Patrikios1:18
2."Young"Contostavlos, Richard Rawson, Peter Ibsen, Ali TennantSTL4:12
3."Live It Up" (featuring Tyga)Contostavlos, Rico Love, Richard Butler, Jr., Pierre Medor, Paul Love, Barrington Levy, Michael StephensonRico Love3:52
4."Damn"Contostavlos, Rawson, Jean Baptiste, Ryan BuendiaJean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia3:02
5."British Swag" (featuring Nines)Contostavlos, Nines, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus, Ray McCullough, Corey Gibson, Courtney Harrell, Casey FreckletonStereotypes3:41
6."Live Your Life"Contostavlos, Rawson, Ibsen, Tennant, FazerSTL3:57
7."Visa" (featuring Wiley)N-Dubz, Richard Cowie, Yip, Reeves, Romulus, McCullough, Gibson, Harrell, Jackey UrsulaSTL3:31
8."Foreigner"Contostavlos, Terius NashThe-Dream4:50
9."Skeletons"Contostavlos, NashThe-Dream4:50
10."I'm Ready"Contostavlos, Jean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia, Michael McHenryBaptiste, Buendia3:47
11."Steal My Breath Away"Contostavlos, Toby Gad, Rachel Rabin, Tyrone Griffin, Max GousseToby Gad4:17
12."Kill Me Tonight"Contostavlos, Gad, Baptiste, Rabin, Griffin, GousseGad, Baptiste3:47
13."Counterfeit"Contostavlos, Diane WarrenDiane Warren4:07
14."Habit"Contostavlos, Francis WhiteEg White3:49
15."Sight of You"Contostavlos, NashThe-Dream4:39
16."Outro"Contostavlos, PatrikiosPatrikios0:39
Total length:58:27
Deluxe edition bonus tracks[26]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) / Director(s)Length
17."Live It Up" (Solo Acoustic Mix)Contostavlos, Rico Love, Pierre Medor, Paul Love, Barrington LevyRico Love2:58
18."Young" (Acoustic Mix)Richard Rawson, Peter Ibsen, Ali TennantSTL3:27
19."Skeletons" (Acoustic Mix)Contostavlos, Terius NashThe Dream3:54
20."Titanium" (Acoustic Mix)Sia Furler, David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Nick Van De WallSTL3:50
21."Young" (Video)Richard Rawson, Peter Ibsen, Ali TennantBen Peters3:49
22."Live It Up" (Video)Contostavlos, Rico Love, Pierre Medor, Paul Love, Barrington Levy, Michael StephensonColin Tilley3:41
23."Sight of You" (Video)Contostavlos, Terius NashLuke Hyams4:04
24."The Female Boss" (Video Interview)  3:00
Notes
  • The official track listing was confirmed by Play.com on 25 October 2012.[27]

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Irish Albums Chart[28] 55
Scottish Albums Chart[29] 41
UK Albums Chart[30] 35


Release history

Regions Dates Format(s) Label(s)
Ireland 30 November 2012 CD, digital download All Around the World, Island Records
United Kingdom[31] 3 December 2012

References

  1. ^ "The Female Boss: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  2. ^ http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp irma archive 6.12.12
  3. ^ a b Published Tuesday, Sep 18 2012, 13:10 BST (2012-09-18). "Tulisa reacts to 'Live It Up' chart position: It's a strategic single - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ The Making of Love.Live.Life DVD, filmed 2010, released April 2011. Retrieved on 3 November 2012.
  5. ^ Published Tuesday, Sep 4 2012, 10:47 BST (2012-09-04). "Tulisa: 'I don't care about No.1 album, I just want to go platinum' - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b c The Female Boss Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More - Metacritic
  7. ^ a b "Album review: Tulisa, The Female Boss". Allmusic. 2012-11-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Album review: Tulisa, The Female Boss". The Independent. 2012-11-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Tulisa's The Female Boss brings a pound-shop Rihanna sound". Metro. 2012-11-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Review: Tulisa - The Female Boss". 4Music. 2012-11-26. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ a b "Tulisa's The Female Boss review". MusicOMH. 2012-11-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b Tulisa: 'The Female Boss' - Album review - Music Album Review - Digital Spy
  13. ^ a b Tulisa: The Female Boss – review | Culture | The Observer
  14. ^ a b The Female Boss by Tulisa reviews | Any Decent Music
  15. ^ Tulisa 'The Female Boss' Reviews: Has The 'X Factor' Judge Created A Decent Debut Album?
  16. ^ REVIEW: Tulisa Brings Ghetto Grime And Ibiza-Sounding Beats With 'The Female Boss' - Celebrity Gossip, News & Photos, Movie Reviews, Competitions - Entertainmentwise
  17. ^ N-Dubz singer Tulisa's album flops | The Sun |Showbiz|Bizarre
  18. ^ Published Friday, Mar 23 2012, 09:38 GMT (2012-03-23). "Tulisa unveils debut single 'Young' music video - watch - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Published Sunday, May 6 2012, 19:00 BST (2012-05-06). "Tulisa scores first solo number one single with debut 'Young' - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Published Tuesday, Jul 24 2012, 10:03 BST (2012-07-24). "Tulisa debuts new single 'Live It Up' - listen - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Published Monday, Aug 20 2012, 17:34 BST (2012-08-20). "Tulisa unveils 'Live It Up' video - watch - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Published Monday, Oct 22 2012, 10:11 BST (2012-10-22). "Tulisa premieres new single 'Sight of You' music video - watch - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Published Tuesday, Sep 11 2012, 09:45 BST (2012-09-11). "Tulisa teases next single: 'It will stand the test of time' - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Published Monday, Oct 15 2012, 10:27 BST (2012-10-15). "Tulisa to release double A-side single - Music News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "Twitter / officialtulisa: My new single Sight Of You". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  26. ^ "iTunes - Music - The Female Boss (Deluxe Edition) by Tulisa". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  27. ^ "Buy online at Play.com and read reviews. Free delivery to UK and Europe!". Play.com. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  28. ^ Archive Chart, Irish Albums Chart. The Official Charts Company, 15th December 2012, retrieved 09th December 2012 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  29. ^ Archive Chart, Scottish Albums Chart. The Official Charts Company, 15th December 2012, retrieved 09th December 2012 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  30. ^ Archive Chart, UK Albums Chart. The Official Charts Company, 15th December 2012, retrieved 09th December 2012 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Tulisa: (N-dubz): Female Boss (2012): CD". hmv.com. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
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