Singular: Act I Explained

Singular: Act I
Type:album
Artist:Sabrina Carpenter
Cover:Sabrina Carpenter - Singular Act I.png
Released:November 9, 2018
Recorded:2017–2018
Genre:
Length:25:01
Label:Hollywood
Producer:

Singular: Act I is the third studio album by American singer Sabrina Carpenter. It was released on November 9, 2018 through Hollywood Records. Carpenter began work on the album shortly after the release of her second studio album, Evolution (2016). The album is primarily a pop album with elements of dance-pop, themed around self-empowerment, and marked the first time where all songs on an album were co-written by Carpenter.[1] In support of the album, Carpenter embarked on the Singular Tour in March 2019.

Two singles were released for the album including "Almost Love" and "Sue Me" while "Paris" and "Bad Time" were released as promotional singles. Additionally, singles "Why" and "Alien" were not on the album's tracklist but were instead included on the Japanese edition of the album. The album received critical acclaim from music critics, and debuted at number 103 on the US Billboard 200. The album itself is the first half of a two-piece project, being supplemented by (2019).

Background and release

Carpenter released her second studio album Evolution in 2016 to commercial success and began to work soon after on her follow up album, original titled Singular.[2] During The De-Tour in 2017, she began teasing material from the album including a now scrapped song titled "Alone Together" and "Why"; the latter was not included in the final tracklisting.[3] In March 2018, Carpenter also released "Alien" with British DJ Jonas Blue which reached number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart.

In May 2018, Carpenter began teasing Singular with the release of the lead single, "Almost Love".[4] In June, Carpenter released a trailer for the album, which was scheduled for a winter 2018 release. The trailer was directed by Lauren Dunn with snippets from songs including "Sue Me", "Mona Lisa" and "I Can't Stop Me".[5] She premiered "Almost Love" that same week alongside a live performance at Wango Tango.[6]

In October, during a performance of "Almost Love" on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Carpenter ripped off a piece of the set wall revealing a part of the album cover art and spray painted "11/9" on the wall indicating that the album was scheduled for release on November 9, 2018.[7] [8] That same month she also announced that the album would be split into two parts with Act I officially released on November 9, 2018.[9] A compact disc was exclusively released for sale at Target stores.[10]

Composition

Genres and themes

Singular: Act I is primarily a pop and dance-pop album.[11] [12] Its lyrical content centred around empowerment with PopCrush writer Erica Russel calling it an introduction to Carpenter's "playful psyche".[13] The album cover portrayed Carpenter on a staircase "amidst the chaos" where "you feel like you really are the only one who exists in the crowd".[13]

Music and content

The album opens with "Almost Love", which Mike Nied of Idolator described as an "edgy anthem".[14] The song is about a relationship ready to take the next step and contains "intermittent whistles and drums".[15] Affinity writer Lucy Parry called it a "great start to the album" noting that the "bridge is possibly the best part of this track as they strip away the bass-line". This is followed by "Paris" which was called an "ode to the city of love".[14] Carpenter sings about being reminded that she "already [has] love in LA".[14] Parry noted that the song might sound like a cliché but rather works as the opposite, with Carpenter using her head voice over "a gorgeous guitar riff". "Hold Tight" was described as "stellar slow jam" and features Amir Mitchell-Townes as Uhmeer, one of Carpenter's castmates from Girl Meets World.[15] The song was also described a "slinky and vaguely retro R&B" song with subtle sexual references indicating that "Carpenter is now an adult".

"Sue Me" was written by Carpenter after she had been sued by her ex music managers Stan Rogow and Elliot Lurie for allegedly not paying them commissions after she fired them in 2014.[16] In an interview with Live With Kelly & Ryan, Carpenter noted that the song is about "empowerment", "confidence: and "being comfortable with yourself regardless of what anybody thinks".[17] Nied called the song a "self-assured tune for the end of a relationship" adding that it is a "sassy kiss-off". This is followed by "Prfct" which was titled incorrectly to reflect imperfection. The song talks about not needing everything in a relationship to be perfect for it to work and features "fuzzy gramophone effects" before and after the song.

"Bad Time" is a "synth-driven [...] badass anthem" which adds to the empowerment theme of the album. The song sees Carpenter "picking and choosing when they want to engage with someone".[18] "Mona Lisa" named after the famous painting of the same name was described as "enticing" and contained "flirty and creative lines".[15] Carpenter sings about not wanting to be left "hanging like the Mona Lisa". The album closes with "Diamonds Are Forever", ending "the album in the most empowering way possible". Carpenter was described as a "soaring diva" and sings about knowing her self-worth never selling yourself short.[19] The Line of Best Fit called the song a "theatrical belter" and compared it to Ariana Grande's song, "Dangerous Woman".[18]

The singles "Why" and "Alien" were included on the Japanese edition of the album alongside several remixes.[20]

Critical reception

Upon release, Singular Act: I received critical acclaim. Mike Nied of Idolator wrote in his review that the album is an "eight-track collection jam-packed with bop after bop". He called the album "lush with potential hits" and "another near-perfect work from one of the industry's brightest young stars." He added that with the album Carpenter had "truly earned her status as one of pop's most consistent acts".

The Line of Best Fit writer Julian Baldsing rated the album 7.5 out of 10, stating that "it's certainly no small triumph that Singular: Act I stands so firmly by itself and its creation marks an exciting new phase of an artist properly coming into her own." He added that "Carpenter has always displayed a knack for crafting and curating strong pop releases" and that the album "sees her hone these skills further, resulting in her tightest, most polished project to date".

Lucy Parry from Affinity called the album "a pop masterpiece" and its production "exquisite" also praising the use of more mature themes compared to her previous works. Earmilk writer Larisha Paul gave the album 9 stars noting that Carpenter showed her "versatility on a myriad of sonic landscapes". She gave Carpenter's vocals the biggest praise adding that "her inarguable dynamic vocal performances that remain consistent in every track is what sets her apart from the rest." She added that the album "conveys the singer in a space equipped for showcasing her talent and attraction as a pop artist" noting that it "shows immense promise for the future of her discography as she continues to cement her place as one of the top new artist in this next generation of musicians".

Promotion

In March 2019, Carpenter embarked on the Singular Tour.[21] The tour began in Orlando, Florida on March 2, 2019.[22]

Singles and music videos

"Almost Love" was released as the album's lead single on June 6, 2018 alongside Carpenter's official announcement of the album which came out a week earlier. The song topped the Dance Club Songs chart making it Carpenter's second song to do so.[23] The song also reached 21 on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart.[24] A music video was also released through Vevo and YouTube on July 13, 2018.[25] She promoted the song with live performances at Wango Tango, Good Morning America and The Late Late Show with James Corden.[26] [27]

"Sue Me" was released as the album's second single on January 8, 2019.[28] It received a music video on November 16, 2018.[29] Carpenter promoted the single with live performances on The Today Show and Live with Kelly and Ryan. The song also reached number one on the Dance Club Songs chart making it Carpenter's third number one on the chart.[23]

"Paris" and "Bad Time" were released as promotional singles on October 24, 2018 and November 2, 2018 respectively.[30] A music video directed by Jasper Cable-Alexander was released for the former and filmed in Paris, France.[31] A visualiser was released for "Bad Time".[32]

Commercial performance

Singular Act I debuted at number 103 on the US Billboard 200 and 38 on the US Top Album Sales chart.[33] The album also reached 48 in the UK, and 20 in Australia. The singles from the album fared well on the charts with "Almost Love" and "Sue Me" both reaching number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart and 21 and 31, respectively, on the US Pop Songs chart.[23]

Track listing

Notes

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Singular: Act I.[34]

Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered at

Vocals

Production

Instrumentation

Design

Technical

Charts

Chart (2018)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[35] 20
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[36] 198
France Downloads Albums (SNEP)[37] 84
UK Download Albums (OCC)[38] 48

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousNovember 9, 2018Digital downloadHollywood
United StatesCD[39]
United KingdomPolydor[40]
JapanDecember 12, 2018Universal[41]
VariousOctober 18, 2019LP[42]
September 9, 2024Disney[43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter reveals details of new album "Singular: Act 1" . ABC News Radio Online. 5 November 2018. November 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181107055742/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2018/10/25/sabrina-carpenter-reveals-details-of-new-album-singular-act.html . dead .
  2. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter Talks Almost Love, Singular & Marshmello. YouTube. June 22, 2018. October 26, 2018. October 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020202449/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2FrKSKqM4Q&t=469s. live.
  3. Web site: Singer Sabrina Carpenter takes a 'De-Tour' to Montclair. June 19, 2023. North Jersey. August 16, 2017. Flately. Jessica.
  4. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter on Instagram: . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Biz-QJinLr3 . December 24, 2021 . registration. Instagram. 2019-05-18.
  5. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter on Instagram: 'i made an album. then i made this trailer. directed by @laurenelizadunn'. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BjisvTMHL9E . December 24, 2021 . registration. Instagram. 2019-05-18.
  6. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter Performs New Single 'Almost Love' at Wango Tango. www.iheart.com. 2019-05-18. May 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190518200209/https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-06-02-sabrina-carpenter-performs-new-single-almost-love-at-wango-tango/. live.
  7. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter: Almost Love. YouTube. 2018-10-02. 2019-05-18. October 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181025183741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3J-Uh70JY. live.
  8. Sabrina Carpenter Gets Super Messy During Theatrical 'Almost Love' Performance on 'Late Late Show': Watch. Billboard. 2019-05-18. October 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002223729/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8477924/late-late-show-sabrina-carpenter-almost-love-performance-watch. live.
  9. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter on Instagram: 'Singular: Act 1 Out 11/9 Act 2 coming soon.'. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BpPw64Jggan . December 24, 2021 . registration. Instagram. 2019-05-18.
  10. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter announces 'Singular, Act I' . The Music Universe . October 26, 2018 . 5 November 2018 . October 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181028074005/https://themusicuniverse.com/sabrina-carpenter-announces-singular-act-1-details/ . live .
  11. Web site: Singular: Act I – Sabrina Carpenter. AllMusic. Matt. Collar. April 15, 2021. April 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418204822/https://www.allmusic.com/album/singular-act-ii-mw0003299712. live.
  12. Web site: Singular Act I by Sabrina Carpenter. en-ca. Somehow, in the midst of all that, she recorded a third album—the two-part project Singular—which begins here with a serving of saucy, confident dance-pop. 2019-06-10. December 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212224745/https://music.apple.com/ca/album/singular-act-i/1438671104. live.
  13. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter on Fan Theories, ASMR and How 'Singular Act II' Shows 'Vulnerable' Confidence. Russell. Erica. PopCrush. July 18, 2019 . en. 2020-01-27. February 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200220010546/https://popcrush.com/sabrina-carpenter-on-fan-theories-asmr-and-the-vulnerable-confidence-of-singular-act-ii/. live.
  14. News: Stream Sabrina Carpenter's Bop-Filled 'Singular Act 1. 2018-11-09. Idolator. 2018-11-11. April 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183819/https://www.idolator.com/7688075/sabrina-carpenter-packs-bops-onto-singular-act-1-stream-it-here?chrome=1. live.
  15. News: Sabrina Carpenter comes into her own on Singular: Act I. The Line of Best Fit. 9 November 2018. 18 November 2018. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118081745/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/sabrina-carpenter-singular-act-i-album-review. live.
  16. News: 'Girl Meets World' Star Sued by Ex-Music Managers. The Hollywood Reporter. November 16, 2018. en.
  17. Nicole . Engelman . Sabrina Carpenter Reveals the Meaning Behind 'Sue Me' & Performs Her New Single on 'Live With Kelly & Ryan'. Billboard. November 9, 2018. November 18, 2018. November 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181111055447/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8484236/sabrina-carpenter-sue-me-live-with-kelly-and-ryan-video. live.
  18. News: Larisha. Paul. Album Review: Sabrina Carpenter is dynamic and demanding on 'Singular: Act I'. Earmilk. November 14, 2018. November 18, 2018. November 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110021332/https://earmilk.com/album-reviews/627281/sabrina-carpenter/singular-act-i/. dead.
  19. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter — emails i can't send. September 23, 2023. In Review Online. August 31, 2022. Beardslee. Kayla.
  20. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter Announces New Project, 'Singular: Act 1'. 2018-10-23. Idolator. 2018-11-23. April 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183819/https://www.idolator.com/7687309/sabrina-carpenter-singular-act-1-tracklist. live.
  21. Sabrina Carpenter Is Taking Her Emails on the Road With Fall Tour. June 19, 2023. Rolling Stone. August 15, 2022. Mier. Tomás.
  22. Web site: Girl meets Orlando: Sabrina Carpenter ready to bring show to Wellmont. June 19, 2023. North Jersey. March 2, 2019. Cindy. Pereira.
  23. Sabrina Carpenter Chart History. Billboard. 2018-11-11. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117222551/https://www.billboard.com/artist/sabrina-carpenter/chart-history/dsi/. live.
  24. Sabrina Carpenter Chart History. Billboard. 2018-11-11. November 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118035654/https://www.billboard.com/artist/sabrina-carpenter/chart-history/tfm/. live.
  25. Web site: Almost Love (Official Video). VEVO. July 12, 2018. July 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180713040832/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JudqK1hL18w&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  26. Web site: performing on @GMA August 20thpic.twitter.com/T0pUA6QAg9. Carpenter. Sabrina. 2018-07-29. @sabrinaannlynn. 2019-05-18. February 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220218230727/https://twitter.com/sabrinaannlynn/status/1023645017120722944?lang=en. live.
  27. Brooke. Bajgrowicz. Sabrina Carpenter Gets Super Messy During Theatrical 'Almost Love' Performance on 'Late Late Show': Watch. Billboard. November 11, 2018. November 24, 2018. October 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002223729/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8477924/late-late-show-sabrina-carpenter-almost-love-performance-watch. live.
  28. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates .... https://web.archive.org/web/20181120142449/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. dead. 2018-11-20. 2018-11-20. 2018-11-22.
  29. News: Sabrina Carpenter's 'Sue Me' Video Has Legally Blonde Written All Over It. MTV News. 2018-11-18. November 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119091857/http://www.mtv.com/news/3104390/sabrina-carpenter-sue-me-video-legally-blonde/. dead.
  30. News: A History Of Sabrina Carpenter's Love Affair With Paris. MTV News. 2018-11-11. April 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425151723/http://trl.mtv.com/news/3102553/a-history-of-sabrina-carpenters-love-affair-with-paris/. dead.
  31. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter on Instagram: "come to paris with me". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/sabrinacarpenter/1938107184755932143 . 2021-12-26 . registration. Instagram. en. 2018-12-21.
  32. News: Sabrina Carpenter releases new track 'Bad Time'. 2018-11-04. CelebMix. 2018-11-11. December 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221227020538/https://celebmix.com/sabrina-carpenter-releases-bad-time/. live.
  33. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter Reaches New Peak On Billboard Emerging Artists Chart As "Singular: Act II" Debuts. June 12, 2023. Headline Planet. Cantor. Brian. July 29, 2019 .
  34. Singular: Act I . . 2018 . CD booklet . Hollywood Records.
  35. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 19, 2018. November 17, 2018. January 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122220659/http://cdn.aria.com.au/pdfs/5CD8E6E8A53F8AA937206EF3328C802F0D4E512E3A5C7B2F8B0AD84A49DDBC58/ARIA%20Digital%20Albums%20Chart.pdf?seq=14. live.
  36. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter – Singular – Act I. dutchcharts.nl. 2018-11-24. November 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181126092729/https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Sabrina+Carpenter&titel=Singular+-+Act+I&cat=a. live.
  37. Web site: Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 46, 2018). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. July 20, 2019.
  38. Web site: Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. 2018-11-23. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206083731/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/20181116/7003/. live.
  39. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter Singular Act I (Target Exclusive). intl.target.com. en. 2019-07-17. July 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717013913/https://intl.target.com/p/sabrina-carpenter-singular-act-i-target-exclusive/-/A-54154744. dead.
  40. Web site: Singular: Act I. 9 November 2018. HMV. July 16, 2019. July 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717013911/https://store.hmv.com/music/cd/singular-act-i. live.
  41. Web site: Singular Act I [Japan Edition] by Sabrina Carpenter]. CDJapan. November 9, 2018. February 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219014809/https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICH-1010?s_ssid=e35f295be5ea667893. live.
  42. Web site: Singular Act 1. October 11, 2019. Amazon. September 8, 2019. April 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183819/https://www.amazon.ca/Singular-Act-LP-Sabrina-Carpenter/dp/B07W597YK7/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1567978455&refinements=p_32%3ASabrina+Carpenter&s=music&sr=1-2. live.
  43. Web site: Sabrina Carpenter - Singular Act I Limited LP. July 13, 2024. Urban Outfitters.

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