Betsy (Betsy album) explained

Betsy
Type:	studio
Artist:	Betsy
Cover:	Betsy_2017.jpg
Recorded:	2014–June 2017
Genre:	Pop^[1]
Length:	37:34
Label:	Warner Bros.
Prev Title:	Fair
Prev Year:	2016

Betsy is the self-titled debut studio album by Welsh singer-songwriter Betsy. It was released by Warner Bros. Records on 29 September 2017.

Background

After completing a course in fashion design in Central St Martins and working at Balenciaga in Paris, Betsy returned to the United Kingdom to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. She self-produced a three-track demo EP which later secured her a management deal.^[2] Betsy retreated to her brother's caravan for two months to write songs, a number of which appear on her debut album.^[3] In addition to her own self-written songs, she also worked with producers such as Jim Eliot, Sak Pase and Jack McManus on some of the album's tracks.

Release

Although initially scheduled to be released on 26 May 2017, the album was later pushed back to 29 September. Betsy revealed the release date with the digital pre-order on 30 June.^[4] The album artwork and tracklisting were subsequently revealed on 18 August.

Promotion

Singles

"Fair" was released as the album's first - and Betsy's debut - single on 22 January 2016. "Lost & Found" followed as the second single on 5 August 2016, and Betsy appeared on the cover of Spotify's New Music Friday playlist in the UK to promote the single's release. On 4 November 2016, "Wanted More" was released as the third single from the album, and "Waiting" followed as the fourth single on 27 January 2017. "Little White Lies" was released as the album's fifth - and to date, final - single on 2 June 2017.

Promotional singles

"You Won't Love Me" served as an instant gratification track with the album pre-order, and was released on 25 August 2017. "Heavy Head" was confirmed to be the album's second promotional single in November 2017 when she performed the track on the BBC's Children in Need appeal show in Wales. A Kat Krazy remix of the song was released on 8 December 2017.

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.^[5]

Musicians

• Betsy – vocals, production, keyboards
• Tim Woodcock – background vocals
• Blue May – vocal producer
• Simon Elms – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Geoff Holroyde – drums
• Andy Brown – conductor
• Robin Mullarkey – bass
• Rob Malarkey – bass
• London Metropolitan Orchestra – strings, orchestra
• Tim Baxter – strings, orchestration
• Izzi Dunn – strings, orchestration
• Jessica Dannheiser – orchestration
• Jonas Quant – strings
• Colin Smith – saxophone
• Jack McManus – piano, keyboards, backing vocals
• Matt Johnson – piano
• Peter Jarrett – piano, percussion, keyboards
• Alex Reeves – additional drums

Technical

• Alexander Burnett – production, programming
• Blue May – production, engineering
• Dreamtrak – production, programming
• Jack McManus – production, programming
• Jim Eliot – production
• Jonas Quant – production, programming
• Mark Ralph – production, mixing
• Peter Jarrett – production, additional production, programming
• Hal Ritson – programming
• Richard Adlam – programming
• Jay Reynolds – additional production
• Oliver Wright – additional production, mixing
• BiLLLy – programming
• Drew Smith – engineering
• Izzi Dunn – engineering
• Robbie Nelson – engineering
• SAK PASE – production
• Sean and Seng – photography
• Betsy – art direction, production
• Mat Maitland – art direction, design
• Drew Smith – mixing, engineering
• Tom Ad Fuller – mixing
• John Davis – mastering

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rosebury. Will. Betsy - Betsy. Clash Music. 26 September 2017.
2. Web site: Betsy: 'I've never, ever wanted to be the girl next door'. Cragg. Michael. The Guardian. 6 August 2017. 26 September 2017.
3. Web site: Meet singer Betsy: From a goose farm in Wales... to high fashion in France. Holden. Steve. BBC Newsbeat. 16 August 2016. 26 September 2017.
4. Web site: Betsy details self-titled debut record. Day. Laurence. The Line of Best Fit. 4 July 2017. 26 September 2017.
5. Web site: AllMusic. All Media Network.