From the Roots Up explained

From the Roots Up
Type:studio
Artist:Delilah
Cover:FromTheRootsUp.jpg
Released:30 July 2012
Recorded:2010–11
Length:43:03
Label:Atlantic, Warner Music
Producer:Syience, Balistiq, LV, Delilah, Mikey J, Plan B

From the Roots Up is the debut studio album released by English singer-songwriter Delilah. The album was released on 30 July 2012 via Atlantic Records. The album's release follows the release of four hit singles: "Go", "Love You So", "Breathe", and a cover of Minnie Riperton's "Inside My Love". The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 5. Following the release of the album, "Shades of Grey" was also issued as a single. Delilah unveiled the album cover and tracklist on 16 May 2012.[1] [2]

Background

In 2008, Delilah chose a Tottenham studio to work on a college project, where she paired with a local producer to record four tracks.[3] A friend who was associated with Choice FM heard the songs and sent them to Island Records.[4] Stoecker caught the attention of industry executives at major record labels. She spent the following weeks arranging interviews, until she was eventually signed to Atlantic Records.

Stoecker was signed to Atlantic Records at the age of 17[5] and upon the three years to her debut release, gathered a large back catalogue of songs.[6] the singer supported British drum & bass/dubstep act Chase & Status during their two-year UK tour, ending in 2011. Stoecker featured a support vocalist, performing Time and Heartbeat, by soul singer Nneka. The duo claimed after hearing one of her tracks, they thought the singer sounded "fantastic".[7] Stoecker co-wrote the track "Time", along with fellow artists Chase & Status and Plan B, she also provided vocals on the track. The single "Time" was released on 21 April 2011, where it peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart. Her writing credits were added to the track "Don't Be Afraid", on Wretch 32's second album Black and White.[8]

Following the success of the tour with Chase & Status, Stoecker later joined Maverick Sabre as his main support act on his 2011 Autumn tour throughout the UK and Ireland.[9] [10] She was also one of the many artists featured on the BBC 1Xtra live tour.[11]

Singles

"Go" was released as the lead single from the album on 6 September 2011. The song peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, and at number 9 on the Danish Singles Chart. * "Love You So" was released as the second single from the album on 18 December 2011. The song peaked at number 118 on the UK Singles Chart. "Breathe" was released as the third single from the album on 7 May 2012. The song peaked at number 87 on the UK Singles Chart. "Inside My Love" was released as the fourth single from the album on 15 July 2012, followed by the album fifteen days later. "Shades of Grey" was released as the fifth single from the album on 16 September 2012. "Never Be Another" was due to be released as the sixth single on 25 November 2012, featuring British rapper Devlin.[12] But the single was never released other than from preview on YouTube and SoundCloud, and no reason was given for the single remaining unreleased.

Reception

All music praised the album for its "atmospheric R&B, trip-hop, and singer/songwriter-inflected electronic pop". They continued to praise the "expertly crafted and sophisticated" music "that showcase a nice mix of synthetic, club-oriented sounds as well as more organic instrumentation". Vocally, the critics compared Delilah's voice to Barbadian singer Rihanna along with Sade's more "hushed, smooth style".[13]

Personnel

Credits for From the Roots Up adapted from Allmusic[14]

Chart performance

Chart (2012)Peak
position
Scottish Albums Chart[15] 17
UK Albums Chart[16] 5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Delilah unveils album artwork, tracklist. Digital Spy. 16 May 2012.
  2. Web site: Connecting to the iTunes Store. iTunes.
  3. Web site: Atlantic Records - Delilah . 2 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120427113853/http://atlanticrecords.co.uk/artists,Delilah_82.htm . 27 April 2012 .
  4. Web site: Burton . Charlie . Delilah interview on From The Roots Up - GQ.COM (UK) . Gq-magazine.co.uk . 2012-03-26 . 2013-04-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130413040520/http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2012-03/26/delilah-interview-from-the-roots-up . 13 April 2013 . dmy-all .
  5. Web site: Susannah Butter . Oh Delilah: Introducing London's hottest pop singer - Music - Going Out - London Evening Standard . Thisislondon.co.uk . 2012-05-17 . 2013-04-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120520085359/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/arts/music/oh-delilah-introducing-londons-hottest-pop-singer-7762464.html . 20 May 2012 . dead .
  6. Web site: BROKE N ENGLISH – The Parklife Weekender June 08&09 2013 . Parklife.uk.com . 2013-04-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120419152104/http://www.parklife.uk.com/artist/aid/57/DELILAH_(LIVE).html . 19 April 2012 . dead .
  7. Saul Milton (of Chase and Status): "We heard one of Delilah's tracks and thought her voice was fantastic and agreed to work with her" dailyrecord.co.uk.2011
  8. Web site: Wretch 32: rap's rising star | Cambridge News | Whats-on-leisure | Choice . Cambridge News . 2013-03-29 . 2013-04-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026011715/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Whats-on-leisure/Choice/Wretch-32-08052012.htm . 26 October 2012 . dmy-all .
  9. Web site: Delilah on tour . Disorder Magazine . 2013-04-02 . 27 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120427102653/http://disordermagazine.com/delilah-tour/news/ . dead .
  10. Web site: Chase & Status Collaborator Delilah Confirmed as Support for Maverick Sabre Tour - Stereoboard UK . Stereoboard.com . 2011-09-04 . 2013-04-02.
  11. Web site: Newsbeat - Front Page . BBC . 1970-01-01 . 2013-04-02.
  12. Web site: Never be Another. soundcloud.com.
  13. Web site: From the Roots up - Delilah | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic.
  14. Web site: From the Roots up - Delilah | Credits. AllMusic.
  15. Web site: Archive Chart. Official Charts Company. 11 August 2012.
  16. Web site: Archive Chart. Official Charts Company. 11 August 2012.