Not in Chronological Order explained

Not In Chronological Order
Type:	studio
Artist:	Julia Michaels
Cover:	Julia Michaels - Not in Chronological Order.png
Studio:	M&S (Sherman Oaks, California) Woodshed Studios and Playpen (Malibu, California) EastWest (Hollywood, California)
Genre:	Pop
Length:	29:39
Label:	Republic
Prev Title:	Inner Monologue Part 2
Prev Year:	2019

Not In Chronological Order is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, released on April 30, 2021, by Republic Records. The album's subject matter centers on themes of love, self reflection and ideal womanhood.

Upon its release, Not in Chronological Order received generally positive reviews. However, the album became Michael's lowest charting release on the Billboard 200, where it reached number 183; Michaels blamed Republic's lack of promotional support for the album as the cause of its lack of success.^[1]

Background

Michaels released her debut single "Issues" in 2017, followed by three extended plays (EP), Nervous System (2017), Inner Monologue Part 1 and Inner Monologue Part 2 (both 2019).^[2] In 2020, she released the single "Lie Like This",^[3] followed by "All Your Exes" and "Love Is Weird" the following year.^{[4] [5]} On April 9, 2021, Women's Wear Daily announced that Michaels would release her debut studio album on April 30.^[6] She confirmed this on April 14, along with the album's name as Not in Chronological Order and its artwork.^[7]

Critical reception

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 70 out of 100, which indicates "generally favorable reviews" based on 5 reviews. Clashs Randy Radic thought Not in Chronological Order is soft in certain parts and "thick with sinew" in others, and equally allows Michaels to showcase her songwriting talent and "charismatic, oh-so-expressive voice".^[8] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian considered the album enjoyable and a display of Michaels's talent, but lacking in star quality.^[9] Writing for NME, Hannah Mylrea was favorable of its depiction of romance and Michaels's signature one-liners, adding, it "confidently chronicles every dizzying high and crushing blow that love brings – affairs of the heart have, after all, long been Michaels’ specialist songwriting subject".^[10]

Personnel

Musicians

• Julia Michaels – vocals, background vocals
• JP Saxe – guitar
  • German – programming The Monsters & Strangerz – programming, guitar, keyboards
• John Ryan – background vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming ; drums, synthesizer programming
• David Campbell – string arranger
• G Koop – guitar
• India Carney – background vocals
• Mario Jose – background vocals
• Michael Pollack – background vocals, keyboards
• Pierre Luc – guitar
• Matt Zara – guitar
• Chris Null – guitar

Technical

• Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
• Serban Ghenea – mixer
• Ben Rice – engineer, vocal producer
• Steve Churchyard – engineer
• John Ryan – engineer, vocal producer
• Jeff Gunnell – engineer
• Stefan Johnson – engineer, vocal producer
• Michael Pollack – engineer, vocal producer
• Gian Stone – vocal producer
• The Monsters & Strangerz – vocal producer
• Bo Bodnar – assistant recording engineer

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[11]	91
Germany Downloads (Official German Charts)^[12]	76

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Version	Label
Various	April 30, 2021		Standard	Republic	^[13] ^[14]
United States		CD	Target bonus
	August 6, 2021	LP	Standard		^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021-07-25 . Julia Michaels lashes out at label for saying her "album is basically obsolete" . 2022-07-13 . Tone Deaf . en-AU.
2. Web site: Paul . Larisha . Julia Michaels Announces Debut Album 'Not in Chronological Order,' Releases New Single 'Love Is Weird' . . April 17, 2021 . April 16, 2021.
3. Web site: Julia Michaels Announces New Single "Lie Like This". Idolator. Wass. Mike. September 25, 2020. September 26, 2020.
4. juliamichaels. 1370783201807933442. all your exes.... March 26th ⚰ pre-save now http://JuliaMichaels.lnk.to/allyourexes. March 13, 2021. March 17, 2021.
5. juliamichaels. CNc30QXgWg_. Don't know how I wound up here... Love Is Weird 4.15 ❣. April 9, 2021. April 14, 2021.
6. Web site: Tauer . Kristen . Julia Michaels Has Already Arrived . . April 14, 2021 . April 9, 2021.
7. juliamichaels. CNp2U3Tg5yW. Not In Chronological Order out April 30. April 14, 2021. April 14, 2021.
8. Web site: Radic . Randy . Julia Michaels - Not In Chronological Order . . April 29, 2021 . April 29, 2021.
9. Web site: Petridis . Alexis . Julia Michaels: Not in Chronological Order review – star songwriter in need of star quality . . April 29, 2021 . April 29, 2021.
10. Web site: Mylrea . Hannah . Julia Michaels – 'Not in Chronological Order' review: masterful solo debut by pop hitmaker . . April 29, 2021 . April 29, 2021.
11. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 10 May 2021. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1627. 6. May 10, 2021.
12. Web site: Offizielle Download Charts album – Musik Charts . https://web.archive.org/web/20210506134004/http://www.mtv.de/charts/ha7dbg/downloads-charts-album. dead. MTV Germany (ViacomCBS Networks International) . de. May 6, 2021.
13. Web site: Not In Chronological Order by Julia Michaels on Apple Music. Apple Music. April 30, 2021. May 2, 2021. May 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502204951/https://music.apple.com/us/album/not-in-chronological-order/1561829343. live.
14. Web site: Not In Chronological Order Signed CD – Julia Michaels Merch. Julia Michaels Merch. May 2, 2021. April 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210427153507/https://juliamichaelsmerch.com/collections/lie-like-this/products/not-in-chronological-order. live.
15. Web site: Julia Michaels - Not In Chronological Order LP. Urban Outfitters. July 18, 2021. July 19, 2021. https://archive.today/20210719010014/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/julia-michaels-not-in-chronological-order-lp?color=001&type=REGULAR&size=ONE%20SIZE&quantity=1. live.