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Euphoria (Claire Richards album)

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Euphoria
Studio album by
Released25 August 2023 (2023-08-25)
GenrePop
Length46:56
LabelDemon Music Group
ProducerSteve Anderson
Claire Richards chronology
My Wildest Dreams
(2019)
Euphoria
(2023)
Singles from Euphoria
  1. "I Surrender"
    Released: 28 June 2023
  2. "Summer Night City"
    Released: 26 July 2023
  3. "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"
    Released: 25 August 2023

Euphoria is the second studio album and first cover album by English singer-songwriter Claire Richards. It was released on 25 August 2023 through Demon Music Group. The album features guest appearances by Australian musician Delta Goodrem and Andy Bell.

Background

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Richards stated that the album is "personal" to her, trying to delve among her own roots and background for inspiration. She realised that, in order how to learn to sing, it happened through singing along to favourite artists, much of them covered on the record. She and her producer then compiled a list and picked their favourites to record.[1] The recording process then became "the campest, possibly", quickly realising that they had put together an album with "gay anthems". As a result, the singer concluded that the record was "made for them", talking about LGBT community, and was subsequently glad to hear that they "did embrace it". One of the main influences behind the project was Swedish singer Loreen, whom she got to meet in person in June 2023.[2] The title track and name of the album are a nod to her.[3]

Upon release, Richards also revealed her "release day ritual", as she always goes out to buy her own albums on release day.[2]

Singles

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Critical reception

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Jeremy Williams-Chalmers of The Yorkshire Times opined that the "euphoric" album is an hommage to "female vocalists who have shaped and moulded her from a musical theatre style performer into a fully fledged pop icon", describing Richards' takes on the songs as "faithfully and loyally", as well as giving them "new life and new meaning".[5] Mary Varvaris at The Music sought out the duet with Australian singer Delta Goodrem which she thought was "a brilliant track", "bringing their combined talents" to honour the original version. Varvaris highlighted the harmonisation of the pair's vocals, describing as fit enough to pull off the "disco-pop and empowerment of the original".[6]

Track listing

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All songs produced by Steve Anderson.

Euphoria Deluxe track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
14."I Surrender (7th Heaven Remix Edit)"Celine Dion4:25
15."No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (Steve Anderson Extended Disco Mix)" (Feat. Delta Goodrem)Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer6:14
16."Never Knew Love Like This Before (Mastercuts Extended Mix)"Stephanie Mills6:31
17."Song for the Lonely (7th Heaven Remix Edit)"Cher4:21
18."So Emotional (Le Flex Poolside Remix)"Whitney Houston3:47
19."Euphoria (Orchestral Mix)"Loreen3:34
Total length:75:58
Euphoria (You & I Edition) Deluxe Digital track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
20."Euphoria (Live At Eurovision Village, Liverpool)"Loreen3:39
21."I Surrender (Orchestral Mix)"Celine Dion4:17
22."Summer Night City (Claire Solo Version)"ABBA3:24
23."Never Knew Love Like This Before (Sudlow Remix)"Stephanie Mills4:02
24."Song For The Lonely (Steve Anderson Extended Mix)"Cher5:52
25."Euphoria (7th Heaven Radio Edit)"Loreen3:35
26."Summer Night City (Steve Anderson Extended Mix)" (Feat. Andy Bell)ABBA6:01
27."Gloria (JRMX Radio Edit)"
3:40
28."Summer Night City (7th Heaven Radio Edit)" (Feat. Andy Bell)ABBA3:49
29."Euphoria (JRMX Radio Edit)"Loreen3:44
30."I Surrender (Radio Edit)"Celine Dion3:30
Total length:121:38
Euphoria (End Of Time Edition) Deluxe Digital track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
20."So Emotional (Le Flex Retro Remix)"Whitney Houston3:46
21."Summer Night City (Trouser Enthusiasts Remix)" (Feat. Andy Bell)ABBA8:03
22."Never Trust a Stranger (Shortland Remix)"
Kim Wilde3:37
23."Euphoria (7th Heaven Club Mix)"Loreen8:37
24."This Time I Know It's for Real (Shortland Remix)"Donna Summer3:12
25."No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (Sudlow Remix)" (Feat. Delta Goodrem)Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer3:10
26."I Surrender (7th Heaven Club Mix)"Celine Dion6:22
27."Gloria (JRMX Club Mix)"
6:18
28."Song for the Lonely (7th Heaven Club Mix)"Cher6:18
29."Euphoria ([JRMX Club Mix)"Loreen5:57
30."Summer Night City (7Th Heaven Club Mix)" (Feat. Andy Bell)ABBA6:33
Total length:137:56

Charts

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Chart performance for Euphoria
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[7] 28
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[8] 17
Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] 3
UK Albums (OCC)[10] 2
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[11] 1

References

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  1. ^ "Steps' Claire Richards reveals the song cover that made her cry while recording new album Euphoria". Virgin Radio UK. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b Wratten, Marcus (25 August 2023). "Claire Richards on making 'gay anthems' for new album Euphoria and the future of Steps". PinkNews. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  3. ^ McLaughlin, Charlotte (7 July 2023). "Steps doing Eurovision would be the kiss of death – Claire Richards". Evening Standard. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Claire Richards teams up with Erasure's Andy Bell on storming cover of ABBA's Summer Night City". Retro Pop. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  5. ^ Williams-Chalmers, Jeremy (26 August 2023). "Albums: Claire Richards Euphoria". The Yorkshire Times. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. ^ Varvaris, Mary (31 August 2023). "Steps' Claire Richards Taps Delta Goodrem For Duet". The Music. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Ultratop.be – Claire Richards – Euphoria" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Ultratop.be – Claire Richards – Euphoria" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2023.