Sex & Cigarettes
Untitled | |
---|---|
Sex & Cigarettes is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Toni Braxton, which was released on March 23, 2018, by Def Jam Recordings.[1] This is her first solo album in eight years and serves as her debut for the Def Jam label, after signing a new record deal. Sex & Cigarettes is Braxton's first album to be issued with a Parental Advisory warning, and an edited version was also made available.
The album was preceded by the release of two singles, "Deadwood" and "Long as I Live".
Background and promotion
On August 28, 2017, Braxton revealed via her social media she had shot the first music video "Deadwood" for her upcoming album, stating: "Had so much fun shooting @thunderstudios with my BFF @billewoodruff".[2] The music video was directed by Bille Woodruff, who has previously filmed several of Braxton's music videos.[3] On September 5, 2017, in an interview with The Insider, Braxton confirmed the title, Sex & Cigarettes, stating: "I feel like I'm older, I wanna say what I feel. I don't wanna be censored".[4] To promote the album, Braxton held a private album listening session in London[5] and also appeared on the daytime show Loose Women to promote the album and the single "Long as I Live".[6][7] On March 9, 2018, Braxton announced the album was available for pre-order, revealing its cover and track listing of eight songs.[8][9]
Singles
"Deadwood" was released as the lead single on September 15, 2017.[10] The audio video was released to Braxton's Vevo account on September 13, 2017.[11] The music video was released on Braxton's Vevo account October 6, 2017.[12] On December 2, 2017, the song peaked at number thirty-four on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and spent a total of seventeen weeks on the chart.[13] On December 9, 2017, the song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and spent a total of twenty-one weeks on the chart.[14]
"Long as I Live" was released as the second single on February 9, 2018.[15] The audio video was released on Vevo on February 8, 2018.[16]
Promotional singles
A remix EP of "Coping" featuring five remixes of the song was released on November 10, 2017.[17] On February 10, 2018, the song reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and has currently spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart.[18]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 74/100[19] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [20] |
Exclaim! | [21] |
The Guardian | [22] |
Los Angeles Times | (Positive)[23] |
Pitchfork | 6.8/10[24] |
Spin | mixed[25] |
Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 74/100 from Metacritic.[19] AllMusic writer Andy Kellman gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars.[20] The Los Angeles Times' Mikael Wood gave the album a positive review, stating: "Even in her excitement, though, Braxton's singing — low and smoky, with just the right rawness around the edges — suggests she can sense trouble on the horizon."[23]
Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, stating that "A very strong trio of songs open this record, beginning with Deadwood, which has a fantastic singalong chorus alongside acoustic strumming and chardonnay-doused strings. Perhaps it could have benefitted from a more traditional power ballad arrangement, but it's very good nonetheless."[22]
Matt Bauer of Exclaim! gave the album a 7 out of 10 score, writing that "while not a classic, 'Sex & Cigarettes' is a solid effort from R&B's true queen of heartbreak."[21]
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard 200 and number 14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[26] The album debuted at number 33 on the UK Albums Chart[27] and number one on the UK R&B Albums Chart.[28]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Deadwood" |
|
| 3:59 |
2. | "Sex & Cigarettes" |
| 3:46 | |
3. | "Long as I Live" |
| 4:50 | |
4. | "FOH" |
| 2:47 | |
5. | "Sorry" |
| 3:56 | |
6. | "My Heart" (featuring Colbie Caillat) |
| 4:08 | |
7. | "Coping" |
| 3:54 | |
8. | "Missin'" |
|
| 3:30 |
Total length: | 30:50 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
9. | "Forgiven" (from the movie The Forgiven) | Braxton |
| 4:01 |
10. | "Coping" (Disco Killerz Remix) | 3:30 | ||
11. | "Coping" (Eden Prince Remix) | 3:10 |
Notes
- ^a signifies a vocal producer
Charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[30] | 189 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[31] | 170 |
Greek Albums (IFPI)[32] | 70 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[33] | 46 |
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[34] | 71 |
South African Albums (RISA)[35] | 6 |
UK Albums (OCC)[36] | 33 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[37] | 1 |
US Billboard 200[26] | 22 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38] | 14 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | March 23, 2018 | Def Jam | [1][39] |
References
- ^ a b c "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton on Apple Music". Apple Music (US Store). Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Prepping New Music; Shoots Video For "Deadwood"". Singersroom. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Talks New Album: 'I'm Excited to Be Doing What I Love Doing'". The Insider. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "That Grape Juice on Twitter "Great night at @ToniBraxton's 'Sex & Cigarettes' album playback! The project sounds amazing!"". Twitter. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton debuts engagement ring on Loose Women". Daily Mail UK. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Opens Up About Her Struggle with Lupus and More". YouTube. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton on Twitter "I am SO EXCITED to announce that my new album 'Sex & Cigarettes' is available for pre-order! It will be available everywhere on March 23rd. Pre-order here #SexAndCigarettes"". Twitter. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton's Sex And Cigarettes Now Available For Pre-Order". Def Jam Recordings. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Deadwood – Single by Toni Braxton on Apple Music". Apple Music (US Store). Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "Toni Braxton – Deadwood (Audio)". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
- ^ "Toni Braxton – Deadwood". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Deadwood Chart History – R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Deadwood Chart History: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "Long As I Live – Single by Toni Braxton on Apple Music". Apple Music (US Store). Retrieved February 9, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton – Long As I Live". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- ^ "Coping (Remixes) – EP by Toni Braxton on Apple Music". Apple Music (US Store). Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Coping Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton Reviews and Tracks – Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "Sex & Cigarettes - Toni Braxton Songs, Reviews, Credits – Allmusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Bauer, Matt. "Toni Braxton: Sex and Cigarettes". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben. "Toni Braxton: Sex and Cigarettes review – exquisitely anguished R&B". The Guardian. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Wood, Mikael. "Toni Braxton knows how to trouble works on new album 'Sex & Cigarettes'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- ^ Lobenfeld, Claire (March 29, 2018). "Toni Braxton: Sex & Cigarettes Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ Juzwiak, Rich (March 28, 2018). "Review: Toni Braxton's Sex & Cigarettes Needs More of Both". Spin. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ a b "Toni Braxton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40, 30 March 2018 – 5 April 2018". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton - Sex and Cigarettes". Target. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Toni Braxton – Sex & Cigarettes" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Toni Braxton – Sex & Cigarettes" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 14/2018)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 Albumes – Semana 13: del 23.3.2018 al 29.3.2018" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ "SA Top 20" (in Afrikaans). Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ International releases of Sex & Cigarettes:
- In the UK: "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton". iTunes Store (UK). Apple Music inc. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- In France: "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton". iTunes Store (France). Apple Music inc. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- In Australia: "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Music inc. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- In Canada: "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton". iTunes Store (Canada). Apple Music inc. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- In Spain: "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton". iTunes Store (Spain). Apple Music inc. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- In Germany: "Sex & Cigarettes by Toni Braxton". iTunes Store (Germany). Apple Music inc. Retrieved March 10, 2018.