Bigger Love Explained

Bigger Love
Type:studio
Artist:John Legend
Cover:John Legend - Bigger Love.png
Caption:Digital version and stylized graphics colors of lighter green instead of dark green.
Released:June 19, 2020
Length:55:51
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:A Legendary Christmas
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Legend
Next Year:2022

Bigger Love[1] is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter and musician John Legend. It was released on June 19, 2020, through Columbia Records. The album includes the singles "Conversations in the Dark", "Actions", "Bigger Love", and "Wild". The album won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[2] The album was further promoted by a limited North American tour leg that began on September 1, 2021, after several stops on the original US and UK tour itinerary were either postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] [4]

Background

Bigger Love was written mostly in 2019.[5] Recording for the album finished in February 2020.[6] Legend stated he hoped the album would bring joy and be uplifting in light of the George Floyd protests that were taking place during the album's release.[6] He released the cover art and track listing on June 12, a week before the release.[7]

Artwork

The cover art was painted by artist Charly "Carlos" Palmer. The piece features a smiling portrait of the singer-songwriter covered in blooming flowers and a starry sky against a pop of turquoise backdrop.

Singles

Three singles were put out before the album was released.[6] "Conversations in the Dark" was released on January 10, 2020.[8] "Actions" was released on March 20. Legend performed "Actions" on The Tonight Show.[9] The title track, "Bigger Love", was released on April 17, 2020. "Wild", a collaboration with American musician Gary Clark Jr., was released on August 13, 2020.[10]

Critical reception

The album received generally mixed reviews from critics. Rolling Stone rated the album 3.5/5 stars, stating that the album's "self-aware" themes fit well with the current environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rated R&B recognized the album on its 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020 list, stating, "Bigger Love celebrates everlasting love as John Legend serenades with soothing falsettos, bold instrumentation, and groovy new sounds."[11]

Track listing

All tracks, album credits, and metadata adapted from iTunes.[12]

Notes

Charts

Chart performance for Bigger Love
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[13] 52
French Albums (SNEP)[14] 179

Notes and References

  1. John Legend's 'Bigger Love' Album Gets a Release Date. Aniftos. Rania. Billboard. May 13, 2020. June 19, 2020.
  2. Web site: 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Grammy Awards. March 15, 2021.
  3. Web site: Centeno. Tony M.. October 1, 2021. John Legend Returns to South Florida for the Second Leg of His Bigger Love Tour. live. 2021-11-23. Miami New Times. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211001133845/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/interview-john-legend-talks-about-his-bigger-love-tour-13039147 . October 1, 2021 .
  4. Web site: Official John Legend VIP Experiences. 2021-06-20. CID Entertainment.
  5. Web site: Dinges . Gary . EGOT winner John Legend says new album 'Bigger Love' is his 'best work' yet . USA Today . June 17, 2020.
  6. Saponara . Michael . Inside John Legend's 'Bigger Love' Album, Which He Hopes Can 'Lift People Up' . Billboard . June 17, 2020.
  7. Web site: Grant . Shawn . John Legend Reveals Cover and Tracklist for 'Bigger Love' Album . The Source . June 12, 2020.
  8. Aniftos . Rania . John Legend Unveils the Sweet 'Conversations in the Dark' Ahead of Upcoming 'This Is Us' Episode . Billboard . January 10, 2020.
  9. Zemler . Emily . Watch John Legend Perform 'Actions' on At-Home Edition of 'Fallon' . Rolling Stone . March 25, 2020.
  10. Sources concerning the single release of "Wild":
  11. Web site: The 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020: Staff Picks. 2021-01-15. ratedrnb.com.
  12. Web site: Bigger Love by John Legend on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 19, 2020.
  13. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 29 June 2020. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1582. June 29, 2020.
  14. Web site: Top Albums (Week 26, 2020). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. fr. June 29, 2020.