Pages (Shaznay Lewis album) explained

Pages
Type:studio
Artist:Shaznay Lewis
Cover:Shaznay Lewis - Pages.png
Genre:
Length:46:45
Label:1.9.7.5
Producer:
Prev Title:Open
Prev Year:2004

Pages is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Shaznay Lewis, released through her independent record label 1.9.7.5 Recordings on 17 May 2024. It is Lewis' first album in 20 years and features collaborations with Self Esteem, Shola Ama and General Levy. Lewis launched the album with her first solo headlining show at The Jazz Cafe on 14 May 2024.

Release and promotion

Lewis partnered with Absolute Label Services for the manufacturing and distribution of Pages.[1] On 29 January 2024, the album was made available for pre-order on CD, and limited edition white vinyl and cassette tape formats.[2] [3] A CD with an art card signed by Lewis was made available exclusively on Amazon.[4] A signed test pressing, and various bundles with T-shirts and signed prints were sold on Lewis' webstore. To promote Pages, Lewis appeared on Sunday Brunch on 4 February.[1] On 11 February, she performed "Kiss of Life" with the BBC Concert Orchestra in BBC Radio 2's Piano Room.[5] On 30 April, Lewis appeared on The One Show.[6] Lewis launched the album with a headlining show at The Jazz Cafe in Camden Town on 14 May.[1] She is scheduled to play Nocturne Live,[7] Mighty Hoopla and Glastonbury Festival in June,[1] [8] and Party in the Park in September.[1]

Singles

The lead single "Miracle" was released on 12 January 2024.[9] It entered the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 80.[10] "Kiss of Life" was released on 1 February as the second single, accompanied by a music video directed by Oscar J Ryan.[2] The single peaked at number 84 on UK Singles Downloads Chart.[11] On 12 April, "Good Mourning" featuring Shola Ama and General Levy was released as the third single alongside a music video directed by Ryan.[12] "Got to Let Go" was released as the fourth single on 3 May.[13]

Critical reception

In his review for The Line of Best Fit, Quentin Harrison praised Lewis' energetic singing technique and bravura, and believed Pages contained "strong songs rife with all sorts of compositional details worth discovering". Harrison applauded Lewis' observational songwriting, and the sociopolitical commentary in the songs "Peaches" and "Awake (Motu)" which he felt promoted unity among African diaspora. John Earls of Classic Pop magazine said Lewis thrived as soloist on an album that exuded confidence and eclecticism, calling it "12 further reminders of her varied skills within most forms of pop." The Observers Tara Joshi wrote that although "a little clunky in places", the album is "a mostly sumptuous set of turn-of-the-millennium-style pop".

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
Various17 May 20241.9.7.5[14] [15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shaznay Lewis teams with Absolute Label Services for solo album. Paine. Andre. Music Week. 21 March 2024. 14 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Shaznay Lewis announces new solo album and single. Biggane. Dan. Classic Pop. 1 February 2024. 14 May 2024.
  3. Lewis, Shaznay. Shaznay Lewis . ShaznayOfficial. 1751878165612351761. Pages 17.05.24 20 years since my first solo album was released and here we are again… I cannot wait for this album to be yours Available on CD and limited edition White Vinyl and White Cassette Pre-order Pages now xxx. dmy. 15 May 2024.
  4. Web site: Pages (Amazon Signed Exclusive) by Shaznay Lewis. Amazon. 14 May 2024.
  5. Web site: BBC Radio 2 - Radio 2's Piano Room, Shaznay Lewis. BBC. 11 February 2024. 14 May 2024.
  6. Web site: BBC One - The One Show. BBC. 30 April 2024. 14 May 2024.
  7. Web site: Pop girlies rejoice! Sugababes, Melanie C and All Saints' Shaznay Lewis to perform at Nocturne Live 2024. Damara Kelly. Tyler. The Line of Best Fit. 8 December 2023. 15 May 2024.
  8. Web site: Glastonbury 2024: More Details, More Stages, More Music at Worthy Farm. Hughes. Amy. Q. 8 May 2024 . 15 May 2024.
  9. Web site: Shaznay Lewis of All Saints shares her first solo single in two decades, 'Miracle'. Damara Kelly. Tyler. The Line of Best Fit. 12 January 2024. 14 May 2024.
  10. Web site: Shaznay Lewis - Miracle. Official Charts Company. 15 May 2024.
  11. Web site: Shaznay Lewis - Kiss of Life. Official Charts Company. 9 May 2024.
  12. Web site: Premiere: Shaznay Lewis Drafts Shola Ama And General Levy For 'Good Mourning'. Keith. James. Complex. 12 April 2024. 14 May 2024.
  13. Web site: Got To Let Go, Shaznay Lewis. Qobuz. 14 May 2024.
  14. Web site: Pages, Shaznay Lewis . Qobuz. 14 May 2024.
  15. Web site: Shaznay Lewis Official Store. shaznaylewis.tmstor.es. 15 May 2024.
  16. Web site: Pages - Album by Shaznay Lewis. Apple Music. 15 May 2024.