Live (Louis Tomlinson album) explained

Live
Type:live
Artist:Louis Tomlinson
Cover:Live - Louis Tomlinson.png
Label:BMG
Prev Title:Faith in the Future
Prev Year:2022

Live is the first live album by English singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson. It was a surprise album, released for streaming and digital download on 25 April 2024. It will be issued physically on 23 August 2024. Recorded at the Louis Tomlinson World Tour and Faith in the Future World Tour, which he embarked on to support his first two studio albums, Walls (2020) and Faith in the Future (2022), the live album consists of songs and performances on various dates.

Background and release

On 23 April 2024, Louis Tomlinson shared a link on social media while writing "pre-save", without confirming an album release. The singer later stated that specific locations would be sent a surprise by email to complete a puzzle, which contained the titles of the songs that later appeared on the track listing.[1] While surprise-releasing Live, on 25 April, Tomlinson said: "I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last 3 years touring the world twice over, the feeling I get sharing those live moments will be with me forever. This record is a true collaboration between me and you. Thank you for the amazing memories".[2]

His first live album contains 15 songs recorded live across 15 shows in 15 different cities, including London, Nashville, Vancouver and Barcelona.[3] They were recorded throughout two concert tours, the Louis Tomlinson World Tour and the Faith in the Future World Tour, which Tomlinson embarked between 2020 and 2023.[4] Live was released through digital download and streaming on 25 April 2024, while the physical editions of the album, including a double CD and 2 LP picture disc vinyl, will be released on 23 August 2024.[5] To support the release, accompanying video clips of compiled tour footage were shared on Tomlinson's social media accounts.[6]

Critical reception

In a positive review for Clash, Josh Abraham described Live as a "emotional rollercoaster that keeps fans wanting more", highlighted "We Made It" and "Common People" as standouts, and said that the theme of the album is "the appreciation of what the artist has through music". He also added: "'Get as loud as you can' is shouted from [Tomlinson] on multiple tracks, which is exactly what every lover of his music is doing as they rundown the tracklist".

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[7] 5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amaxopoulos . Zoe . Louis Tomlinson Releases New 'Live' Album . Glitter Magazine . 26 April 2024 . 25 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Díaz . Paula . Louis Tomlinson lanza por sorpresa 'Live', un álbum con 15 canciones en directo . Los 40 . 27 April 2024 . 26 April 2024 . es.
  3. Web site: Paul . Larisha . Louis Tomlinson Performs in a Different City for Each Song on New Surprise Album 'Live' . Rolling Stone . 25 April 2024 . 25 April 2024.
  4. Web site: Bird . Daniel . Louis Tomlinson has fans 'screaming' and 'crying' as he releases unexpected album . Mirror . 25 April 2024 . 25 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Taylor . Sam . Louis Tomlinson has dropped a surprise new album, 'Live', recorded on tour . Dork . 25 April 2024 . 25 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Dunworth . Liberty . Louis Tomlinson shares surprise 'Live' album, recorded across 15 cities over three years . NME . 26 April 2024 . 26 April 2024.
  7. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 6 May 2024. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1783. 10. 6 May 2024.