Ascend (Illenium album) explained

Ascend
Type:	studio
Artist:	Illenium
Cover:	Ascend Illenium album.jpg
Recorded:	2018–2019
Genre:	Future bass rock^[1] dance-pop pop^[2] dubstep^[3]
Length:	1:00:16
Label:	Astralwerks
Prev Title:	Awake
Prev Year:	2017
Next Title:	Fallen Embers
Next Year:	2021

Ascend (stylised as ASCEND) is the third studio album by American DJ and music producer Illenium, released on August 16, 2019, through Astralwerks, making it his major-label debut and his only album on the label.^[4] The album features six singles.

Background

Consisting of 17 songs, the album includes six previously released singles, "Take You Down", "Crashing", "Pray", "Good Things Fall Apart", "Takeaway", and "Blood".^[5] On his social media accounts, he announced the release date of the album and the following tour on June 12.^[6]

Promotion

The first single "Take You Down" was released on August 3, 2018. The song brought forth the drug abuse problem Illenium previously had.^[7]
The second single "Crashing", featuring Bahari, was released on January 25, 2019.^[8]
The third single "Pray", featuring Kameron Alexander, was released on March 22, 2019.^[9]
The fourth single "Good Things Fall Apart", with Jon Bellion, was released on May 13, 2019.^[10]
The fifth single "Takeaway", with The Chainsmokers and featuring Lennon Stella, was released on July 24, 2019.^[11]
The sixth and last single before the album release "Blood", with Foy Vance, was released on August 2, 2019.^[12]

Critical reception

Accolades

Year-end Lists
Publication	List	Rank
Dance Music Northwest	Best Electronic Music Albums of 2019
The Nocturnal Times	Top Electronic/Dance Albums of 2019
Your EDM	Top 10 Albums of 2019

Awards
Year	Ceremony	Category	Result
2020	Billboard Music Awards	Top Dance/Electronic Album
2020	International Dance Music Awards	Best Album

Track listing

Notes

signifies a co-producer
signifies an additional producer
signifies a vocal producer

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)	Position
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)^[14]	18
Chart (2020)	Position
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)^[15]	8

Notes and References

Web site: Sweeney. Farrell. August 21, 2019. Illenium alchemizes inner darkness into light through stunning third studio album, 'ASCEND' [Review/Interview] ]. Dancing Astronaut. June 24, 2020.
Web site: Bergstrom. John. August 15, 2019. Illenium: Ascend (album review) - 'Ascend' Is Illenium's Most Emo Album Yet. PopMatters. June 24, 2020.
Web site: Scilippa. Phil. August 16, 2019. Illenium's Third Album, ASCEND, Brings All The Feels. EDM.com. June 24, 2020.
Web site: ASCEND by Illenium on Apple Music. Apple Music. 2019-06-18.
Illenium Announces 'Ascend Album & North American Tour. Bein. Kat. 2019-06-13. Billboard. 2019-06-18.
Web site: Illenium announced new album + Phase 1 of Ascend Tour. illenium.com. 2019-06-13. 2019-06-18.
Illenium Opens Up About Addiction On 'Take You Down': Listen. August 3, 2018. Billboard. 6 May 2020.
Illenium & Bahari Are Drunk on Love in 'Crashing': Watch. January 25, 2019. Billboard. 6 May 2020.
News: Illenium is Back with a New Single, "Pray" ft. Kameron Alexander. March 22, 2019. Stone . Katie . EDM.com. 6 May 2020.
Illenium & Jon Bellion Find Love Burns Out Bright On 'Good Things Fall Apart': Watch. May 13, 2019. Billboard. 6 May 2020.
The Chainsmokers, Illenium and Lennon Stella Unite For 'Takeaway': Watch. July 24, 2019. Billboard. 6 May 2020.
News: Illenium Goes Heavier in "Blood" ft. Foy Vance. August 2, 2019. Cameron . Jonh . EDM.com. 6 May 2020.
Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #539. auspOp. August 24, 2019. August 24, 2019. August 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190824074844/https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/08/aria-chart-watch-539/. dead.
Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. May 11, 2020.
Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 17, 2020.
Web site: ASCEND - CD + DIGITAL ALBUM . Astralwerks Label Store. June 24, 2020.
Web site: ASCEND - 2LP + DIGITAL ALBUM . Astralwerks Label Store. June 24, 2020.