I'm Dreaming (album) explained

I'm Dreaming
Type:studio
Artist:Alice Ivy
Cover:alice ivy - im dreaming.jpg
Released:9 February 2018
Length:36:16
Producer:Annika Schmarsel
Next Title:Don't Sleep
Next Year:2020

I'm Dreaming is the debut studio album by Australian electronic musician and producer Alice Ivy, released on 9 February 2018 by Dew Process in Australia and New Zealand and by Last Gang Records internationally. It was written, composed, and produced by Alice Ivy under her real name; Annika Schmarsel.

Background and promotion

The album contains many of Alice Ivy's previously released standalone singles. "Charlie" featuring Georgia van Etten, originally released on 3 January 2015.[1] The second single "Touch" also featuring van Etten, originally released on 25 January 2016[2] with its music video later released in February.[3] The third single, "Almost Here" featuring RaRa, was originally released on 23 June 2016.[4] The fourth single, "Get Me a Drink" featuring E^ST and Charlie Threads, was originally released on 9 March 2017.[5] The fifth and final single, "Be Friends" featuring Cazeaux O.S.L.O. and Tim De Cotta, was released on 22 September 2017.[6]

From February to March 2018, Alice Ivy performed an eight date headline tour to promote her debut album. On all East Coast dates, Alice Ivy was accompanied by Melbourne soul artist Nasty Mars, with local opening slots going to Oh Boy, Keelan Mak, François, Sophiegrophy, Strictface & Skivvybeats.

Writing and composition

All songs on the album were written by Alice Ivy herself. The album is supported by many guest vocalists including; Georgia van Etten, Cazeaux O.S.L.O., Tim De Cotta, Bertie Blackman, RaRa, E^ST, and Charlie Threads. The track "Touch" contains samples from the 1951 Alice in Wonderland film.[7] The track "Charlie" contains soundbites from various television commercials from the 1950s.[8] The track "Chasing Stars" tells the story of "Lincoln Beachey, the first person to do a loop to loop in an airplane. The music has many layers which depict the endless landscape of the sky."[9]

The album's genre has been described as chillwave, downtempo,[10] electronic,[11] while also incorporating elements of plunderphonics, neo-psychedelia, nu jazz, big beat, and hip hop.

Critical reception

The album received positive reviews. LunchBox rated the album 4/5 and said: "It is easy to be taken away into a tranquil state of mind when listening to this record." Rating the album positively, Sarah Pritchard from Altmedia said: "Alice Ivy's debut is a creative triumph and an example of how not to lose heart when surrounded by too much choice, the album is the result of a discerning, musically trained mind." Paul Waxman of Beat rated it positively, saying: "Alice Ivy's impressive debut really is a dream, each track taking the listener to a new but familiar place. And like every good dream, you feel sad once it's over." Sungenre, in a positive review said: "I'm Dreaming is an impressive effort from an all-in-one breakout producer who should be monitored closely."

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from SoundCloud.

Musicians

Additional musicians

Technical

Release history

Release history and formats for I'm Dreaming! Region! Date! Label! Format! Catalogue!
Various9 February 2018Alice Ivy, Dew Process
Australia9 March 2018Dew ProcessLPDEW9001031[12]
Various11 May 2018Last Gang RecordsLGAN9790[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charlie - Alice Ivy. SoundCloud. 3 January 2015. 23 February 2019.
  2. Web site: Touch (ft. Georgia Van Etten) - Alice Ivy. SoundCloud. 25 January 2016. 23 February 2019.
  3. Web site: Alice Ivy - Touch ft. Georgia Van Etten. Alice Ivy. 8 February 2016. 23 February 2019. YouTube.
  4. Web site: Almost Here (ft. RaRa) - Alice Ivy. SoundCloud. 23 June 2016. 24 February 2019.
  5. Web site: Get Me a Drink (feat. E^ST & Charlie Threads) - Single by Alice Ivy on Apple Music. iTunes. 9 March 2017. 24 February 2019.
  6. Web site: Be Friends (feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O. & Tim De Cotta) - Single by Alice Ivy on Apple Music. iTunes. 22 September 2017. 24 February 2019.
  7. Web site: An interview with Alice Ivy. Zoë. Radas. JB Hi-Fi. Stack. 15 February 2018. 25 February 2019.
  8. Web site: INTERVIEW: Alice Ivy Talks Dreamy Debut Ahead of SXSW. Ashley. Prillaman. 13 March 2018. 25 February 2019.
  9. Web site: ALICE IVY Releases New Single CHASING STARS, Debut Album I'M DREAMING Out February 9 & Supports Added For NATIONAL HEADLINE TOUR. Amnplify. 15 January 2018. 26 February 2019.
  10. Web site: I'm Dreaming by Alice Ivy (Chillwave, Downtempo). Rate Your Music. 25 February 2019.
  11. Web site: I'm Dreaming by Alice Ivy on Apple Music. iTunes. 9 February 2018. 25 February 2019.
  12. Web site: I'm Dreaming (Vinyl) JB Hi-Fi . . 9 March 2018 . 25 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210318222816/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-ivy-alice-im-dreaming-vinyl-lp/ . 18 March 2021 . live.
  13. Web site: Alice Ivy – I'm Dreaming . Juno Records . 25 February 2019.