Beautiful (Jessica Mauboy album) explained

Beautiful
Type:studio
Artist:Jessica Mauboy
Cover:Jessica Mauboy - Beautiful.jpg
Border:yes
Label:Sony
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:iTunes Session
Next Year:2014

Beautiful is the third studio album by Australian recording artist Jessica Mauboy, released on 4 October 2013 by Sony Music Australia. The album was recorded at several recording studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles and Sydney. Mauboy worked on Beautiful with a variety of producers and songwriters, including DNA, The Fliptones, Brian Kennedy, Harvey Mason, Jr., Adam Reily and The Underdogs. She co-wrote ten of the thirteen songs on the album's standard edition. The album explored a mixture of dance-oriented tracks with R&B and pop.[1]

Upon its release, Beautiful received positive reviews from critics, who praised its catchy production and honest lyrics. The album debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart and became Mauboy's highest-charting album. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of more than 70,000 copies. Beautiful earned Mauboy two nominations at the 2014 ARIA Music Awards for Album of the Year and Best Female Artist. Mauboy promoted the album with television performances and instore appearances. She also embarked on her second headlining concert tour, entitled the To the End of the Earth Tour.

Beautiful produced five singles, including the top-ten hits "Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)" and "Never Be the Same", which were both certified platinum for sales exceeding 70,000 copies. The album was re-released as a platinum edition on 21 November 2014 and features five additional songs, including the fifth single "Can I Get a Moment?", which became Mauboy's eighth top-ten hit.

Background and development

In an interview with Spotlight Report, Mauboy admitted that after her work on the 2012 musical film The Sapphires and its soundtrack which features 1960s soul music, she struggled to find a direction for her third studio album. "This album was definitely quite frustrating and hard to put together ... It was a hard process after coming off the back of doing The Sapphires and having that beautiful soul, motown classic music. It really kind of left me not knowing what I wanted to do next because that [''The Sapphires''] was so good."[2] Mauboy further stated that not knowing which direction she wanted to go with helped. "I had all these stories and feelings. All I needed was to be in the studio and play a bit of piano and play some melodies to help me write."[2]

Mauboy told The Northern Star that Beautiful is "very diverse ... I'm taking it back to my first album where I had a bit of dance and twist of R&B."[3] Part of the album's musical direction was influenced by 1990s music, including dance artists such as Culture Beat and Corona.[3] [4] "I'm such a big '90s fan and grew up with the '90s, and I love how artists had such big vocals and yet such simple bedding on the tracks – and they use such little effects."[4] Mauboy wrote half of Beautiful in Australia with DNA and Adam Reily, and also in Los Angeles.[2] [5] She co-wrote ten of the thirteen songs on the album's standard edition. Harvey Mason, Jr. served as the creative director for Beautiful and co-wrote and produced a number of songs.

Release and promotion

Mauboy's exclusive interview with Melissa Doyle in Darwin was broadcast on Sunday Night on 15 September 2013.[6] On 26 September 2013, she co-hosted The Footy Show and performed a medley of "Inescapable", "To the End of the Earth" and "Saturday Night".[7] On 29 September 2013, Beautiful became available to stream online via Songl.com before its official release.[8] Mauboy performed "Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)" during the fifth season of The X Factor Australia on 30 September 2013.[9] The album was released both digitally and physically on 4 October 2013. The following day, Mauboy performed and signed copies of Beautiful at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour in Sydney.[10] On 6 October 2013, she performed at the 2013 NRL Grand Final.[11] Mauboy performed songs from Beautiful and signed copies of the album during instore appearances at Westfield Kotara on 7 October 2013 and Westfield Fountain Gate on 10 October 2013.[12] [13] She performed "Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)" at the 2013 ARIA Music Awards on 1 December 2013.[14]

The platinum edition of Beautiful was released on 21 November 2014 and features five bonus tracks, including the album's fifth single "Can I Get a Moment?". Mauboy performed the song during the grand final live decider show of the sixth season of The X Factor Australia (20 October 2014),[15] on Sunrise (22 October 2014),[16] and at the 2014 ARIA Music Awards (26 November 2014).[17] She also performed and signed copies of the platinum edition during instore appearances at Westpoint Blacktown (23 November 2014),[18] Castle Towers (30 November 2014),[19] Watergardens Town Centre (7 December 2014)[20] and Westfield Parramatta (13 December 2014).[21]

Singles

"To the End of the Earth" was released as the lead single from Beautiful on 17 July 2013.[22] It peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for sales exceeding 35,000 copies.[23] [24] The second single "Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)", released on 27 September 2013,[25] debuted at number two and was certified platinum for selling over 70,000 copies.[23] [24] The album's title track "Beautiful" was released as the third single on 22 November 2013,[26] and became Mauboy's lowest charting single at number 46.[23] The fourth single "Never Be the Same", released on 7 March 2014,[27] peaked at number six and was certified platinum.[23] [28] "Can I Get a Moment?" was released as the fifth single from Beautiful on 17 October 2014.[29] It debuted at number five and was certified platinum.[23] [28] "The Day Before I Met You" was released as the sixth single on 13 February 2015, and debuted at number 41.[23] [30]

To the End of the Earth Tour

See main article: To the End of the Earth Tour. In July 2013, Mauboy announced the To the End of the Earth Tour, a national tour presented by Nescafé to celebrate its global 75th anniversary.[31] Tickets for the tour went on sale on 5 August.[31] There were 27 shows in metropolitan and regional Australia that ran from November 2013 to January 2014.[31]

Reception

Tim Spencer of Q News viewed Beautiful as the type of album "you can easily wind down and dance to", and concluded that fans of Mauboy's previous efforts "will definitely be impressed with this record."[32] Renowned for Sound's Jana Angeles praised the album's "perfect balance" of pop and R&B, and further added, "what makes Beautiful such an impressive album by Mauboy is the fact that some of the tracks have honest lyrics and are clearly spoken from the heart." Suzie Keen of In Daily wrote the album is "a no-brainer for fans of pure pop" and found the tracks to be "irresistibly catchy."[33] Entertainment Hive's Honey B called it "a stunningly honest CD with beautiful melodies."[34] Beautiful was nominated for "World's Best Album" at the 2014 World Music Awards,[35] and earned Mauboy two nominations at the 2014 ARIA Music Awards for Album of the Year and Best Female Artist.[36]

Commercial performance

Beautiful debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart issue dated 13 October 2013; it became Mauboy's third top-ten album and the highest-charting album of her career. Due to the success of the album's fourth single "Never Be the Same", Beautiful jumped from number 42 to number 17 for the issue dated 21 April 2014.[37] The following week, Beautiful moved up to number four, making it a fourth week within the top ten for the album.[38] Following the release of the platinum edition in November 2014, Beautiful was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of 70,000 copies.

Track listing

Notes

Credits

Adapted from album liner.[39]

Recording locations

Mastering locations

Personnel

Vocal credits
Creative credits
Technical credits

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)Rank
Australian Albums Chart[40] 61
Australian Artist Albums Chart[41] 15
Chart (2014)Rank
Australian Albums Chart[42] 51
Australian Artist Albums Chart[43] 21

Release history

RegionDateFormatEdition(s)LabelCatalogue
Australia4 October 2013[44] [45] StandardSony Music Australia88883779062
21 November 2014[46] [47] Platinum88843088302

Notes and References

  1. News: Northover. Kylie. Lunch with... Jessica Mauboy. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 November 2013. 29 April 2015.
  2. Web site: Jorge . Interview: Australian Superstar Jessica Mauboy . Spotlight Report . 19 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131001192600/http://www.spotlightreport.net/on-the-spot-2/jessica-mauboy-interview . 1 October 2013 . dead .
  3. News: Cronin . Seanna . Jessica Mauboy back to musical roots after acting haul . . 29 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017031021/http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/jessica-mauboy-back-musical-roots-acting-haul/1955605/ . 17 October 2013 . dead .
  4. Web site: Jolly. Nathan. Q 'n' A: Jessica Mauboy. The Music Network. Peer Group Media. 12 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130814231417/http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-features/artists/2013/08/12/q-n-a-jessica-mauboy. dead. 14 August 2013.
  5. Brandle. Lars. Jessica Mauboy Readies New Album, 'To the End of the Earth' Video Arrives. Billboard. 7 August 2013. 1 October 2013.
  6. Web site: Stories – Jessica Mauboy . . . 15 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005020715/http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/18880408/jessica-mauboy/ . 5 October 2013 . dead .
  7. Web site: Jess on The Footy Show . Jessica Mauboy Official Website . 25 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016020238/http://www.jessicamauboy.com.au/news/jess-footy-show-thursday . 16 October 2013 . dead .
  8. Web site: Stream Jessica's album a week early! . Jessica Mauboy Official Website . 29 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131007102821/http://www.jessicamauboy.com.au/news/stream-jessicas-album-week-early . 7 October 2013 . dead .
  9. Web site: Top 7 Live Decider: Special Guests – Jason Derulo & Jessica Mauboy. The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. 27 September 2013. 27 September 2013.
  10. Web site: Jess reveals 'Beautiful' Tracklisting! . Jessica Mauboy Official Website . 23 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016020250/http://www.jessicamauboy.com.au/news/jess-reveals-beautiful-tracklisting-and-announces-nrl-grand-final-performance . 16 October 2013 . dead .
  11. News: Way . Peter . Travis Reardon fights Leukaemia to present premier's rings on NRL Grand Final day . Macarthur Chronicle Campbelltown . 30 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140116044201/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/macarthur/travis-reardon-fights-leukaemia-to-present-premier8217s-rings-on-nrl-grand-final-day/story-fngr8h70-1226729989849 . 16 January 2014 . dead .
  12. Web site: Jessica Mauboy Live Performance . . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004231425/http://www.westfield.com.au/kotara/news-and-events/2013/10/jessica-mauboy . 4 October 2013 . dead .
  13. Web site: Jessica Mauboy Live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230425/http://www.westfield.com.au/fountaingate/news-and-events/2013/jessica-mauboy-live . 4 October 2013 . dead .
  14. Web site: 27th ARIA Music Awards Winners List – Flume Dominates. Take 40 Australia. Authentic Entertainment. 1 December 2013. 13 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131204212151/http://www.take40.com/news/43653/27th-aria-music-awards-2013-winners-list---flume-dominates. 4 December 2013. dead.
  15. News: Marlisa takes out the X Factor Australia title for 2014! – Take 40 . 11 October 2021 . 25 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141025094109/http://www.take40.com/news/48617/marlisa-takes-out-the-x-factor-australia-title-for-2014%21- . 25 October 2014 .
  16. Jessica Mauboy Live. Sunrise. Yahoo!7. 22 October 2014. 28 October 2014.
  17. Web site: 2014 ARIA Awards: the winners, performances, photos, videos and more . Australian Recording Industry Association . 11 October 2021.
  18. Web site: The Veronicas and Jessica Mauboy Live on Four. Westpoint Blacktown. 23 November 2014.
  19. Web site: Jessica Mauboy Live at the Towers. Castle Towers. 30 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141209212039/http://www.castletowers.com.au/whats-on/events/jessica-mauboy-live-at-the-towers.aspx. 9 December 2014. dead.
  20. Web site: See Jessica Mauboy live at Watergardens!. Watergardens Town Centre. 7 December 2014.
  21. Web site: Jessica Mauboy Performance and Meet & Greet . . 14 December 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141214030515/http://www.westfield.com.au/parramatta/events/jessica-mauboy-performance-and-meet-greet/11676 . 14 December 2014 .
  22. Web site: To the End of the Earth – Single by Jessica Mauboy. 17 July 2013 . iTunes Store (Australia). 28 July 2013.
  23. Web site: Discography Jessica Mauboy . Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien . 30 September 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140331212131/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jessica+Mauboy . 31 March 2014 .
  24. Web site: ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles . . 10 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160204135112/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2013.htm . 4 February 2016 .
  25. Web site: Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up) – Single by Jessica Mauboy. Get Music. Universal Music Australia. 3 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131008080843/http://www.getmusic.com.au/jessicamauboy/store/detail?id=195016. 8 October 2013. dead.
  26. Web site: Beautiful – Single by Jessica Mauboy. iTunes Store (Australia). 22 November 2013.
  27. Web site: Gavin . Ryan . Elbow, Jason Singh Tops New Releases For W/C 7 March 2014 . Noise11. Noise Network . 7 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140307135243/http://www.noise11.com/news/elbow-jason-singh-tops-new-releases-for-wc-march-7-2014-20140307 . 7 March 2014 . dead .
  28. Web site: ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles . Australian Recording Industry Association . 21 January 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140417201540/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2014.htm . 17 April 2014 .
  29. Web site: Can I Get a Moment? – Single by Jessica Mauboy. https://web.archive.org/web/20141217042445/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/can-i-get-a-moment-single/id923323858. dead. 17 December 2014. iTunes Store (Australia) . 20 October 2014 .
  30. Web site: The Day Before I Met You (CD single) – Jessica Mauboy . . 13 February 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150213023613/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/Whats-Hot/pop/day-before-i-met-you-the-single/675484/ . 13 February 2015 .
  31. Web site: Jessica Mauboy Announces 'To the End of the Earth' Single & Tour . Jessica Mauboy Official Website . 11 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014122007/http://www.jessicamauboy.com.au/news/jessica-mauboy-announces-end-earth-single-tour . 14 October 2013 . dead .
  32. Web site: Tim . Spencer . Review: Jessica Mauboy – Beautiful . . 17 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140501/http://www.qnews.com.au/article/review-jessica-mauboy-%E2%80%93-beautiful . 13 April 2014 . dead .
  33. News: Suzie . Keen . Jessica Mauboy's Beautiful . In Daily . Solstice Media . 25 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140309125034/http://indaily.com.au/arts-and-culture/2013/11/25/jessica-mauboys-beautiful/ . 9 March 2014 . dead .
  34. Web site: Review – Beautiful, Jessica Mauboy . Entertainmenthive.com.au . https://web.archive.org/web/20140308043713/http://entertainmenthive.com.au/review%20-%20beautiful%20jessica%20mauboy.htm . 8 March 2014 . dead .
  35. Web site: Nomination for World's Best Album . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140205194421/http://vote.worldmusicawards.com/selectnomination.asp?cat=2 . 5 February 2014 . dead .
  36. News: Bernard. Zuel. Chet Faker and his beard are set to rule ARIAs. The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 October 2014. 7 October 2014.
  37. Web site: Gavin. Ryan. Chet Faker, Russell Morris Dominate ARIA Album Chart. Noise11. Noise Network. 20 April 2014. 1 May 2014.
  38. Web site: Gavin. Ryan. Chet Faker Stays at No. 1 on ARIA Albums Chart. Noise11. Noise Network. 26 April 2014. 1 May 2014.
  39. Jessica Mauboy. Beautiful (Platinum Edition). 2014. CD. Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
  40. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Albums 2013 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 8 January 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140107111232/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2013.htm . 7 January 2014 .
  41. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Australian Artists Albums 2013. Australian Recording Industry Association. 8 January 2014.
  42. Web site: ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2014. Australian Recording Industry Association. 7 January 2015.
  43. Web site: ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Australian Artist Albums 2014. Australian Recording Industry Association. 7 January 2015.
  44. Web site: Beautiful by Jessica Mauboy. iTunes Store (Australia). 30 September 2013.
  45. Web site: Beautiful by Jessica Mauboy – CD. Sanity. 30 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140220205416/http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2229504/Beautiful_SIGNED_COPY. 20 February 2014. dead.
  46. Web site: Beautiful (Platinum Edition) by Jessica Mauboy. iTunes Store (Australia). 4 October 2013. 20 October 2014.
  47. Web site: Beautiful: Platinum Edition by Jessica Mauboy – CD. Sanity. 20 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150428080345/http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2283396/Beautiful_Platinum_Edition. 28 April 2015. dead.