Heart Beats (Dami Im album) explained

Heart Beats
Type:studio
Artist:Dami Im
Cover:Dami Im - Heart Beats cover.jpg
Recorded:2014
Genre:Pop
Length:36:52
Label:Sony
Prev Title:Dami Im
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Classic Carpenters
Next Year:2016

Heart Beats is the third studio album by Australian recording artist Dami Im, released on 14 October 2014 by Sony Music Australia. While Im's previous self-titled debut album consisted of cover songs she performed on The X Factor Australia, Heart Beats features a mixture of original ballads and up-tempo pop songs. Im worked on the album with many songwriters and producers, including Robby De Sa, Jon Hume, Christian Lo Russo, Louis Schoorl, DNA Songs, Trinity and Hayley Warner.

Upon its release, Heart Beats debuted at number seven on the ARIA Albums Chart and became Im's second top-ten album. The album was preceded by the release of its first two singles, "Super Love" and "Gladiator", both of which peaked at number 11 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. The former also reached the top-twenty on the South Korea Gaon Charts and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, while the latter was certified gold.

Background and development

Heart Beats is the follow-up to Im's self-titled debut album, which featured re-recorded covers of the selected songs she performed as a finalist on The X Factor Australia.[1] In May 2014, during an interview with InStyle magazine, Im revealed that she had already begun work on the album and that she was hoping to release it in September or October.[2] The following month, Im told Renowned for Sound that she was co-writing a majority of the album's songs as she wanted to put her "own flavour" into the songs.[3] Then in August 2014, Im revealed to Pop Sugar that the album was "95 percent finished" and that she was still thinking of a name for it and ideas for the album cover.[4] On 25 September 2014, Im announced that the album would be called Heart Beats.[1] [5] She worked on Heart Beats with several record producers and songwriters, including Jon Hume, DNA Songs, Trinity, Hayley Warner and Louis Schoorl, among others.[6] [7]

Music and lyrics

Heart Beats features a mixture of ballads and up-tempo pop songs.[2] [3] [4] In terms of musical direction, Im attempted to avoid going for one particular sound as she wanted Heart Beats "to be an album that people of all generations can listen to, not just the younger generation".[2] [3] She described the album as having different moods that show who she is as a person and as an artist.[8] The album's opening track "Super Love" is an up-tempo[9] dance-pop[10] and synthpop[10] song, with lyrics that represent Im's love for her husband Noah Kim and "the many other aspects of life that evoke" love.[9] Jake Cleland of The Vine compared "Super Love" to David Guetta's work, Avicii's "Wake Me Up" (2013) and Katy Perry's "Firework" (2010).[11] The second song "Gladiator" is a mid-tempo[12] pop[13] ballad[14] that explores the theme of female empowerment, as Im sings about the need to make a man fall in love with her by fighting for his love "like a gladiator".[4] Several critics also compared "Gladiator" to Perry's work.[14] [15] [16] The sixth track, "Speak Up", is Im's favourite track on the album. It is a ballad that she says "really explores all the vocal ranges". Lyrically, the song is about "speaking out" and "showing the world who [she] is as a person".[8] The seventh track on Heart Beats is Im's cover version of the 2010 Macy Gray song "Beauty in the World".[17] The tenth track "Heart Beats Again" was solely written by Im.[17]

Release and promotion

On 25 September 2014, Im announced the release date for Heart Beats on her social media platforms.[1] [17] The following day, Heart Beats was made available to pre-order online through iTunes, JB Hi-Fi and Sanity.[5] [17] "Heart Beats Again" was released as a promotional single from the album.[18] [19] Fans who pre-ordered Heart Beats on iTunes would instantly receive the song for free.[20] On 28 September 2014, Im performed at Nickelodeon Australia's Slimefest concert in Melbourne.[21] Heart Beats was released digitally in South Korea on 14 October 2014. It was later released digitally and physically in Australia on 17 October 2014, as both standard and deluxe editions. The latter edition included five bonus tracks. Im performed and signed physical copies of the album during appearances at World Square (17 October 2014) and Westfield Knox (18 October 2014).[22] [23] She also performed "Gladiator" and "Living Dangerously" at the 26th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards, held on 18 October 2014.[24] Im performed "Living Dangerously" on Sunrise on 23 October 2014.[25] In December 2014, Im was the supporting act for John Legend's Australian leg of his All of Me Tour.[26]

Singles

"Super Love" was released as the lead single from Heart Beats on 16 May 2014.[27] The song received positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised its production.[28] "Super Love" peaked at number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for sales exceeding 70,000 copies.[29] [30] It also reached number 12 on the South Korea Gaon International Download Chart and number 16 on the South Korea Gaon International Digital Chart.[31] [32] The album's second single "Gladiator" was released on 8 August 2014.[33] Critics praised the song's production and Im's vocal performance.[34] [35] Upon its release, "Gladiator" also peaked at number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold for sales exceeding 35,000 copies.[29] [30] "Living Dangerously" was released on 9 October 2014 as the third single from Heart Beats, but failed to impact the charts.[36] [37]

Reception

Marcus Floyd of Renowned for Sound awarded Heart Beats five stars out of five and wrote that it was "a great effort" from Im, noting that "each track has its own story to tell and part to play to make the release one of this year's stand outs".[38] For the week ending 25 October 2014, Heart Beats debuted at number 32 on the South Korea Gaon International Albums Chart. In Australia, Heart Beats debuted at number seven on the ARIA Albums Chart issue dated 27 October 2014, with first-week sales of 3,693 copies.[39] This gave Im her second top-ten album, however, it failed to match the number one peak that her previous self-titled album reached.

Personnel

Adapted from album liner.[40]

Performers and musicians
Technical personnel

Release history

RegionDateFormatEdition(s)LabelCatalogueRef.
South Korea14 October 2014Digital downloadStandardSony Music Entertainment[42]
Australia17 October 2014Sony Music Australia88875012942[43] [44]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mike. Wass. Dami Im Unveils Her Gorgeous 'Heart Beats' Album Cover. Idolator. Spin Media. 25 September 2014. https://archive.today/20140930062052/http://www.idolator.com/7564318/dami-im-heart-beats-cover-tracklist. live. 30 September 2014.
  2. Web site: Chris. Urankar. 5 Minutes With Dami Im. InStyle. Pacific Magazines. May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195545/http://www.instylemag.com.au/Article/News/News2/5-Minutes-WithDami-Im. 25 May 2014. 30 September 2014. dead.
  3. Web site: Melissa. Redman. Interview: Dami Im. Renowned for Sound. 6 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140612205025/http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/interview-dami-im/. live. 12 June 2014.
  4. Web site: Jessica. Chandra. Has There Ever Been a Bigger X Factor Transformation Than Dami Im?. Pop Sugar. Allure Media. 13 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140816165804/http://www.popsugar.com.au/celebrity/Dami-Im-Interview-Life-After-X-Factor-Gladiator-Song-35456829. dead. 16 August 2014.
  5. Web site: Photo by Dami Im. Instagram. 25 September 2014. 30 September 2014.
  6. Web site: Rebecca. Bestawros. Dami Im has announced the release of new album 'Heart Beats'. Spotlight Report. 26 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105759/http://www.spotlightreport.net/music/dami-im-has-announced-the-release-of-new-album-heart-beats. dead. 6 October 2014.
  7. Web site: Works Search – Dami Im. Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). 30 September 2014.
  8. Web site: 14 Things We Learned From Dami Im. Stephanie. Anderson. BuzzFeed. 16 October 2014. 26 October 2014.
  9. Web site: Dami Im Announces New Single 'Super Love'. Spotlight Report. 29 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525213509/http://www.spotlightreport.net/music/dami-im-announces-new-single-super-love. dead. 25 May 2014.
  10. Web site: Mike. Wass. Dami Im Ups The Ante With Euphoric Dance-Pop Anthem 'Super Love': Watch The Cute Video. Idolator. Spin Media. 16 May 2014. 30 September 2014.
  11. Web site: Jake. Cleland. New Oz Music: Yeo, Dami Im, Dune Rats, Collarbones, more. The Vine. Digital Media. 29 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140603005307/http://www.thevine.com.au/music/news/new-oz-music-yeo-dami-im-dune-rats-collarbones-more-20140529-281857/. 3 June 2014. 30 September 2014. dead.
  12. Web site: Silvan. Dami Im Premieres 'Gladiator' Video. Pop Sirens. 8 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090036/http://www.popsirens.com/dami-im-premieres-gladiator-video. live. 19 August 2014.
  13. Web site: R. Best. Dami Im releases new single 'Gladiator'!. Spotlight Report. 29 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140729163609/http://www.spotlightreport.net/music/dami-im-releases-new-single-gladiator. dead. 29 July 2014.
  14. Web site: David. Lim. Alarm Pop: Dami slays with 'Gladiator'. Maximum Pop. 21 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140827145752/http://www.maximumpop.co.uk/dami-im-gladiator/. dead. 27 August 2014.
  15. Web site: Andrew. Le. Single Review: Dami Im – 'Gladiator'. Renowned for Sound. 5 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083054/http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-dami-im-gladiator/. live. 6 October 2014.
  16. Web site: Mike. Wass. Dami Im Does It Again With Soaring Pop Anthem 'Gladiator': Listen To The Aussie Diva's Latest Gem. Idolator. Spin Media. 30 July 2014. 30 September 2014.
  17. Web site: Victoria. Venardos. News: Dami Im Details New Album 'Heart Beats'. Renowned for Sound. 27 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141001070745/http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/news-dami-im-details-new-album-heart-beats/. live. 1 October 2014.
  18. Web site: Dami Im – Heart Beats Again. JB Hi-Fi Now Music. 4 October 2014.
  19. Web site: Heart Beats Again – Dami Im. Melon. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006130054/http://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=2284016. live. 6 October 2014.
  20. Web site: Photo by Dami Im. Instagram. 3 October 2014. 4 October 2014.
  21. Web site: Dare to care. TV Week. Ninemsn. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054424/http://www.tvweeklogieawards.com.au/news/articles/2014/9/dare-to-care/. live. 4 March 2016.
  22. News: Cameron. Adams. Dami Im says X Factor victory showed Australia less racist. News.com.au. News Limited. 15 October 2014. 19 October 2014.
  23. Web site: Dami Im Live. Westfield Knox. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011052418/http://www.westfield.com.au/knox/events/9510. dead. 11 October 2014.
  24. Web site: Itch, Dami Im & Bonnie Anderson at ACRAs. Radio Today. 14 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141021045704/http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/5609-itch-dami-im-bonnie-anderson-at-acras.html. live. 21 October 2014.
  25. Dami Im Live on Sunrise. Sunrise. Yahoo!7. 23 October 2014. 23 October 2014.
  26. Web site: Victoria. Venardos. News: John Legend Announces Australian Tour. Renowned for Sound. 20 October 2014. 20 October 2014.
  27. Web site: Super Love by Dami Im. iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. 29 September 2014.
  28. Web site: WATCH: Dami Im talks 'Super Love' inspiration and bad dance skills!. Take 40 Australia. Authentic Entertainment. 16 May 2014. 30 September 2014.
  29. Web site: Discography Dami Im. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. 30 September 2014.
  30. Web site: ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles. Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 October 2014.
  31. Web site: Gaon International Download Chart – Issue date: 14.05.18 – 14.05.24. Gaon Chart. 30 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006065844/http://www-new.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/download.php?f_chart_kind_cd=E&f_week=22&f_year=2014&f_type=week. 6 October 2014. dead.
  32. Web site: Gaon International Digital Chart – Issue date: 14.05.18 – 14.05.24. Gaon Chart. 30 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082444/http://www-new.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/digital.php?f_type=week&f_year=2014&f_month=&f_week=22&f_chart_kind_cd=E. 6 October 2014. dead.
  33. Web site: Gladiator – Single by Dami Im. iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. 30 September 2014.
  34. Web site: Nathan. Pike. Dami Im Has Dropped An Amazing 'Gladiator' Video. Project U. 8 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083448/http://www.projectu.tv/dami-im-has-dropped-an-amazing-gladiator-video/. dead. 19 August 2014.
  35. Web site: Mike. Wass. Dami Im Does It Again With Soaring Pop Anthem 'Gladiator': Listen To The Aussie Diva's Latest Gem. Idolator. Spin Media. 30 July 2014. 30 September 2014.
  36. Web site: @SonyMusicAU Status. Twitter. 9 October 2014. 9 October 2014.
  37. Web site: Dami Im Living Dangerously. album of the year. 30 July 2018.
  38. Web site: Marcus. Floyd. Album Review: Dami Im – Heart Beats (Deluxe). Renowned for Sound. 21 October 2014. 23 October 2014.
  39. News: Ryan. Gavin. New Slipknot album .5 The Gray Chapter beats Karise Eden's Things I've Done to number one on ARIA chart. News.com.au. News Limited. 27 October 2014. 27 October 2014.
  40. Dami Im. Heart Beats. 2014. CD. Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
  41. Web site: Gaon International Album Chart – Issue date: 14.10.19 – 14.10.25. Gaon Chart. 6 November 2014.
  42. Web site: Heart Beats – Dami Im. Melon. 6 November 2014.
  43. Web site: Heart Beats (Deluxe Edition) by Dami Im. iTunes Store. Apple. 29 September 2014.
  44. Web site: Heart Beats (Deluxe Edition) by Dami Im – CD. Sanity. 29 September 2014.

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