V (Maroon 5 album) explained

V
Type:studio
Artist:Maroon 5
Cover:Maroon 5 - V (Official Album Cover).png
Border:yes
Released:August 29, 2014
Recorded:2013–2014
Studio:
  • Conway Studios (Hollywood, California)
  • Kingston Sound (Los Angeles, California)
  • Luke's in the Boo (Malibu, California)
  • Matzah Ball (New York, New York City)
  • MXM (Stockholm, Sweden)
  • Patriot (Denver, Colorado)
  • Record Plant (Los Angeles, California)
Genre:
Length:40:10
Label:
  • 222
  • Interscope
Producer:
Prev Title:Overexposed
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Singles
Next Year:2015

V (Roman numeral for five)[1] is the fifth studio album by American band Maroon 5. The album was released on August 29, 2014, through 222 and Interscope Records. V was Maroon 5's first album to be released through Interscope after the band's previous label, A&M Octone Records, transferred them along with most of its artists to Interscope. The album also saw the return of keyboardist/rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist Jesse Carmichael, after his absence from recording, touring and promoting the band's previous album, Overexposed, which was released in 2012. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and produced with three hit singles, "Maps", "Animals", and "Sugar", peaking at numbers 6, 3 and 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, respectively. A fourth single "This Summer's Gonna Hurt like a Motherfucker", was released on May 15, 2015, from the reissue deluxe edition of the album.[2] "Feelings" was released as the album's fifth and final single on September 14, 2015. The album received mixed reviews from the music critics.

Background and production

In 2012, Maroon 5 released their fourth studio album Overexposed. The record was released during a time of commercial momentum for the band following the success of "Moves like Jagger" (recorded with Christina Aguilera), a single which lead singer Adam Levine credited as having "revived the group",[3] and the album's lead single, "Payphone", which became both a critical and commercial success.[4] Overexposed was described by the band as their "most poppiest [sic] record to date", with critics giving the album mixed reviews upon its release.[5]

V was recorded by the band at Conway Studios in downtown Los Angeles, California, over a year-long period from 2013 through to mid 2014.[6] The recording sessions for V saw the band's keyboardist Jesse Carmichael return to the band after a two-year hiatus, which saw him absent during the recording and promotion for Overexposed.[7] The album also features a collaboration with Gwen Stefani called "My Heart Is Open",[8] co-written with Australian singer Sia. Guitarist James Valentine stated that the band had known Sia for a long time and working with her was "really cool".[9]

Artwork

The album cover for V was created by South Korean photographer Lee Jung.[10] It features a 1.3m neon lighted crosstube formed in the shape of the roman numeral for five, the title of the album.[11] The red neon display is placed in front of a reservoir in the Gyeonggi Province,[10] with mountains in the background. The Maroon 5 logo appears out of focus in the background as a sign perched on the side of the mountain, similar to the famous Hollywood Sign.[12] An alternate cover for the album was created by Indonesian graphic designer Bayo Gale (who won the band's alternate album cover art contest).[13] It features the tiger's face with a shape of the letter V with a vertex at the bottom and the Maroon 5 logo.

Release and promotion

Departing from then-active A&M Octone Records, the band signed with its related label, Interscope Records[14] and frontman Levine's record label 222 Records to release the album.[15] V was unveiled by the band and Interscope on May 19, 2014, slated for a release date of September 2, 2014, in the United States.[16] Through a signed contract with Live Nation, the band had also announced that they are also set to embark on a world tour in late 2014 through to early 2015 in support of V.[6] The artwork for V was unveiled through a series of five puzzle piece clues released daily through the band's Facebook page from July 17 through to July 21.[17] [18] After the series was completed, the album's artwork, in addition to its track listing, were unveiled on July 21, 2014.[19] The album also includes a limited-edition of ZinePak.[20] Moreover, to promote the album, Maroon 5 performed at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California on August 26, 2014[21] and on The Today Show (as part of the Toyota concert series) at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, New York on September 1.[22] Later, the band started the Maroon V Tour in February 2015 at venues mainly to take place in North America and Europe.[23] The tour ended on May 12, 2018, in Zapopan, Mexico, comprising 137 shows.

Singles

"Maps" was released as the album's lead single on June 16, 2014.[24] The song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[25] giving the band their ninth top-ten hit in the country. "Maps" also reached the top-ten in an additional fourteen countries, including a peak of number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Animals" was released as the album's second single on August 25, 2014. The song peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving the band their tenth top-ten hit in the country. The song also peaked within the top-ten in an additional ten countries, and has also sold in excess of 200,000 copies in the UK alone. Likewise with their previous single, "Animals" achieved platinum status in the US for sales exceeding 1,000,000 copies.

"Sugar" was released on January 13, 2015, as the album's third single.[26] It is the most successful single from the album, reaching the top-ten in 24 countries, including number 6 in Australia, number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.

"This Summer's Gonna Hurt like a Motherfucker" was released on May 15, 2015, as the album's fourth single.[27] Through it doesn’t appear on the standard edition, it is included on the album's reissue deluxe edition.

"Feelings" was sent to US contemporary hit and adult contemporary radio on September 14, 2015,[28] served as the album's fifth and final single.

Promotional single

"It Was Always You" was released on July 29, 2014, as the first and only promotional single of the album.[29] The song peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart and number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Critical reception

V received generally mixed reviews upon its release. On Metacritic, V received a weighted average score of 55/100 based on 12 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[30] In a four-star review, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone called the songs "precision-tuned and lustrously polished, jammed with hooks and choruses that build a man cave in your brain."[31] Brian Mansfield of USA Today gave the album two and a half stars out of four, remarking the album was "easy to digest and contains all sorts of flavors while still being its own thing."[32] In an 86 out of 100 review for Billboard, Brad Wete argued the album "reveals that their foundation has not been removed."[33] Writing on behalf of AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated the album three and a half stars out of five, praising the band for "[embracing] the tuneful, slightly soulful adult contemporary pop band they've always been".[34]

In a mixed review, Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly graded the album a C, suggesting Levine's songwriting didn't "live up to his ability to work a crowd."[35] Writing for The Guardian, Tim Jonze gave the album two out of five stars, dismissing it as "evidence as to why most people can't remember a Maroon 5 song two seconds after it finishes."[36] In a two star review from The Observer, Theo Leanse called the album "a gaudy chunk of over-produced electro-pop-rock", but noted its accessibility, saying it "flips a smug V-sign at us, knowing we'll never free its singles from our skulls."[37] But, Kathy Iandoli of Idolator gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and called the album "lives up to that formula of big songs while never faltering, for better or for worse".[38]

Evan Rytlewski gave a C+ review on behalf of The A.V. Club commenting the band "stayed hip", but only by "furnishing a too-perfect, soundstage ideal of whatever the kids are into these days."[39] In the New York Daily News, Jim Farber criticized the hooks on the album for being "so annoying, you won't be able to scrub them from your mind."[40] Annie Galvin delivered a 5/10 review for PopMatters stating, "As far as lightweight, easy-listening charts pop goes, V doesn't totally offend the sensibilities, and that's surely more than can be said about some of Maroon 5's overly pandering, less exploratory 'pop-rock' peers."[41]

Commercial performance

In the United States, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of 164,000 copies[42] and earned their second US number-one album and their first since 2007's It Won't Be Soon Before Long. As of August 2015, it has sold over one million copies in the US.[43]

In Canada, the album also debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart, with 15,000 copies sold for the week.[44] In its second week, the album remained at number one with 7,700 copies.[45]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Credits for V are adapted from AllMusic.[46]

Maroon 5

Additional musicians

Technical

this list may be incomplete list of credits

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for V! Chart (2014)! Peak
position
Chinese Albums (Sino Chart)[47] 2
Indian Albums (IMI)[48] 1
Italian Albums (FIMI)[49] 2
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)[50] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)! scope="col"
Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[51] 132
French Albums (SNEP)[52] 114
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)[53] 43
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 40
Chart (2015)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[55] 55
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[56] 13
French Albums (SNEP)[57] 85
Japanese Albums (Billboard Japan)[58] 71
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)16
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[59] 51
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[60] 20
UK Albums (OCC)[61] 47
Chart (2016)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[62] 113

Decade-end charts

Chart (2010–2019)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[63] 58

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Edition(s)Label
GermanyAugust 29, 2014[64] [65]
New Zealand
South KoreaSeptember 1, 2014Universal[66]
United StatesSeptember 2, 2014[67] [68] [69]
ChinaNovember 1, 2014StandardUniversal
VariousMay 15, 2015
Australia August 14, 2015Extended [70]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dresdale. Andrea. Maroon 5 Reveals Track List and Cover for New Album "V". ABC News Radio. July 21, 2014. September 14, 2019. August 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200803221242/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2014/7/21/maroon-5-reveals-track-list-and-cover-for-new-album-v.html. dead.
  2. Web site: Maroon 5 This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a Motherf*cker Review: New Single from "V" Packs a Punch. Music Times. Menyes. Carolyn. May 15, 2015. April 28, 2022.
  3. Web site: Wood. Mikael. Maroon 5 built 'Overexposed' to be just that. Los Angeles Times. June 24, 2012 . June 12, 2014.
  4. Chart Highlights: Radio Dials In to Maroon 5's 'Payphone'. April 23, 2012. April 23, 2012. Prometheus Global Media. Billboard.
  5. Web site: Overexposed (2012): Reviews. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. June 23, 2012.
  6. Web site: Walker. John. Everything You Need To Know About Maroon 5′s New Album. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520033448/http://www.mtv.com/news/1827689/maroon-5-new-album-v-tour/. dead. May 20, 2014. MTV. Viacom Media Networks. June 12, 2014.
  7. Web site: Maroon 5 announces new album 2014 'V', Interscope deal and return of keyboardist Jesse Carmichael. Music Times. June 12, 2014.
  8. Web site: Kaufman. Gil. Maroon 5 Drop New Album Track, "Maps," And Tease A Huge Collaboration. https://web.archive.org/web/20140619205339/http://www.mtv.com/news/1847274/maroon-5-maps-single-gwen-stefani/. dead. June 19, 2014. MTV. June 19, 2014.
  9. Web site: Maroon 5 Talks Gwen Stefani Collaboration "My Heart Is Open," Written By Sia. Idolator. 18 July 2014.
  10. Web site: 작가 이정 "마룬... :: 네이버 뉴스. February 1, 2016.
  11. Web site: Corner. Lewis. Maroon 5 unveil new album V artwork, tracklist. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. July 23, 2014. July 30, 2014.
  12. Web site: Pham. Vivian. Maroon 5 Unveils New Song, V Artwork And Tracklist. Popdust. Popdust, Inc.. July 29, 2014. July 30, 2014.
  13. Web site: Congratulations to Bayo Gale for winning the Maroon 5 album cover design contest.. Facebook. October 8, 2014. September 14, 2019.
  14. Web site: THR Staff. Interscope Geffen A&M Acquires Full Ownership of Label Home to Maroon 5. The Hollywood Reporter. October 7, 2013. Prometheus Global Media. June 12, 2014.
  15. Web site: Adam Levine's 222 Records Announces Partnership with Interscope Records. Clizbeats. June 9, 2014. September 8, 2018.
  16. Schneider. Marc. Maroon 5 to Release New Album 'V' in September . . . May 19, 2014 . June 12, 2014.
  17. Strecker. Erin. Exclusive: Check Out the First Part of Maroon 5's New Album Cover Art!. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. July 17, 2014. July 30, 2014.
  18. Web site: Anthony Hernandez. Brian. Maroon 5 Unveils Album Art Like a Puzzle: Here's the Second Piece. Mashable. Mashable, Inc.. July 18, 2014. July 30, 2014.
  19. Lynch. Joe. Maroon 5 Unveil 'V' Cover Art & Track List. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. July 21, 2014. July 30, 2014.
  20. Web site: Maroon 5 Unveils 'V' ZinePak, To Include Dazzling 64-Page Magazine. Popdust. Scott. Jason. August 13, 2014. September 12, 2019. August 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190824103918/https://www.popdust.com/maroon-5-unveils-v-zinepak-to-include-dazzling-64-page-magazine-1890014423.html. dead.
  21. Web site: Maroon 5 Performs Seven Songs During V Album Release Party, Teases Upcoming Tour—All the Details!. Johnson. Zach. E! News. August 27, 2014. June 18, 2018.
  22. Web site: Video: Maroon 5 Perform "V" Songs On "The Today Show". Direct Lyrics. Apaza. Kevin. September 1, 2014. September 8, 2018.
  23. Web site: Maroon 5 Announce Details for Their Upcoming World Tour Kicking Off in February 2015. Facebook. September 2, 2014.
  24. Web site: Rutherford. Kevin. Listen to 'Maps,' the New Single from Maroon 5. Radio.com. CBS Radio. June 16, 2014. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140724075535/http://radio.com/2014/06/16/listen-to-maps-new-single-from-maroon-5/. July 24, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  25. Maroon 5 – Chart History. Billboard.
  26. Web site: Sugar will be Maroon 5's next single. January 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150113144852/http://www.maroon5.com/news/sugar-will-be-maroon-5s-next-single. January 13, 2015. dead.
  27. Web site: Maroon 5 Debuts New Single "This Summer's Gonna Hurt" (Listen Now). Headline Planet. Candor. Brian. May 15, 2015. November 11, 2021.
  28. Web site: FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!. February 1, 2016. July 2, 2013. https://archive.today/20130702215958/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691. dead.
  29. Web site: Maroon 5 Releases New Track "It Was Always You" [Listen]]. PopCrush. Mandi Salerno. July 29, 2014. November 11, 2021.
  30. Web site: Critic Reviews for V. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. September 2, 2014.
  31. Dolan. Jon. Maroon 5's New Album: V. Rolling Stone. September 11, 2014. 1217. 61–62. Wenner Media LLC. 0035-791X. August 31, 2014.
  32. Web site: Mansfield. Brian. For Maroon 5, 'V' also stands for variety. USA Today. September 1, 2014. September 2, 2014.
  33. Wete. Brad. Maroon 5 Tightens Up on 'V': Track-By-Track Review. Billboard. September 2, 2014. September 2, 2014.
  34. Web site: V – Maroon 5 | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. Erlewine. Stephen Thomas. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. AllMusic. September 5, 2013.
  35. Anderson. Kyle. V Review. Entertainment Weekly. September 3, 2014. September 5, 2014. November 29, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030058/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20849669,00.html. dead.
  36. News: Maroon 5: V review – the search for another Moves Like Jagger continues. The Guardian. Tim. Jonze. August 28, 2014. August 30, 2014.
  37. News: V review – Maroon 5 revel in sugary audience seduction . The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Theo. Leanse. August 30, 2014. September 2, 2014.
  38. News: Maroon 5's 'V': Album Review. Idolator. Kathy. Iandoli. September 2, 2014. March 10, 2020.
  39. Web site: Rytlewski. Evan. Maroon 5 crib more pop moves on album number five . The A.V. Club. September 2, 2014. September 2, 2014.
  40. Web site: Farber. Jim. Maroon 5 album review: 'V' presents an unhappy trip back to the '80s. New York Daily News. September 2, 2014. September 2, 2014.
  41. Galvin. Annie. Maroon 5: V. PopMatters. September 3, 2014. September 3, 2014.
  42. Maroon 5 Tops Billboard 200 With V. September 10, 2014. Billboard.
  43. Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Maroon 5's 'V' Becomes Band's Fifth Million-Selling Album . Caulfield . Keith . . . August 7, 2015 . August 7, 2015.
  44. Web site: Weekly Music Sales Report and Analysis: 10 September 2014 . Alan Cross . A Journal of Musical Things . September 12, 2014 .
  45. Web site: A Journal of Musical ThingsWeekly Music Sales Report and Analysis: 17 Sept 2014 – A Journal of Musical Things. A Journal of Musical Things. September 19, 2014.
  46. Web site: V – Maroon 5: Credits. AllMusic. February 8, 2015.
  47. Web site: 综合榜 2014年 第48周 . zh . December 1, 2014 . December 27, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141227090256/http://www.sino-chart.com/chart/201412/69801.html . dead .
  48. Web site: Top Music Albums Charts, via iTunes Store India . IMI . August 18, 2014.
  49. Web site: Artisti – WK 36 (dal 01-09-2014 al 07-09-2014). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 11 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140911182417/http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1877. September 11, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  50. Web site: Los Más Vendidos 2015 - Top 100 México > Mejor posición . . es . February 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203134821/http://centrodedesarrollodigital.com/amprofonanual/100.php . February 3, 2016 . dead .
  51. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2014. Ultratop. fr. December 10, 2014.
  52. Web site: Top de l'année Top Albums 2014. SNEP. fr. January 19, 2021.
  53. Web site: Los Más Vendidos 2014 - Top 100 México. [Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |language=es |access-date=February 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215070225/http://www.centrodedesarrollodigital.com/amprofonanual/100.php |archive-date=February 15, 2015 |url-status=dead ].
  54. Web site: Årslista Album – År 2014. Sverigetopplistan. sv. June 8, 2020.
  55. Web site: ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2015. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 6, 2016.
  56. Web site: ALBUM TOP-100 2015 . Hitlisten . da . 1 January 2015 . January 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160101183721/http://hitlisten.nu/top2015.asp . live . dmy .
  57. Web site: Top de l'année Top Albums 2015. SNEP. fr. January 19, 2021.
  58. http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums_year&year=2015 "Hot Albums Year End"
  59. Web site: TOP 100 ALBUMES 2015 . promusicae.es . December 27, 2015 . December 8, 2016.
  60. Web site: Årslista Album – År 2015. Sverigetopplistan. sv. June 8, 2020.
  61. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2015. Official Charts Company. June 8, 2020.
  62. Top 200 Albums Chart Year End 2016. Billboard. 8 December 2016.
  63. Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200. Billboard. November 15, 2019.
  64. Web site: V .
  65. Web site: V .
  66. Web site: (정규) V (Deluxe Edition). MelOn. LOEN Entertainment Inc.. September 1, 2014.
  67. Web site: Amazon.com: V: Music. Amazon. September 2, 2014.
  68. Web site: Amazon.com: V (Deluxe): Music. Amazon. September 2, 2014.
  69. Web site: Amazon.com: V (Clean) [Deluxe]

    Music]

    . Amazon. September 2, 2014.
  70. Web site: Maroon 5 – V (Extended Edition). Apple Music (AUS). April 28, 2022.

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