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Wanderlust
4 articles
"Young Blood"
"Runaway Daydreamer"
"Love Is a Camera"

Background and production

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Ed Harcourt produced Wanderlust.

Ellis-Bextor released her fourth studio album Make a Scene on 18 April 2011. The album, which followed the electropop genre, was produced by a multitude of musicians including Metronomy, Richard X and Freemasons.[1][2] It garnered mixed reviews from music critics, and it also became Ellis-Bextor's lowest-peaking album on the UK Albums Chart.[3][4] Wanderlust started being recorded in 2011, at the small home studio of the English singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt, the producer and co-writer of "Cut Straight to the Heart" from Ellis-Bextor's previous album. Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian, who reviewed Make a Scene, opined that in the song, he had "stripped Ellis-Bextor of her froideur and made her sing from the gut."[2] Before Wanderlust's recording began, Ellis-Bextor expressed interest in collaborating with Harcourt, and he was enlisted as a songwriter for Ellis-Bextor's new album, which would be "diverse" and assisted by several musicians.[5]

The initial recording sessions for the album were done in a slow pace; "Love Is a Camera" was the first song to be composed for the album. Ellis-Bextor and Harcourt wrote approximately four songs during an initial phase, including "Birth of an Empire", which caused Ellis-Bextor to abandon her initial plans for the project. She decided to record solely with Harcourt, with whom she worked on twelve songs, of which one was not included in Wanderlust.[6] Ellis-Bextor, who funded the album, described recording the album as "empowering" and revealed that the product was "like the biggest present to myself."[7] The album was recorded at the State of The Ark studios, with the exception of the London Bulgarian Choir's participation in "Cry to the Beat of a Band", which was recorded at the Bulgarian Embassy in London.[8]

Composition

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Wanderlust represents a departure from Ellis-Bextor's earlier discography, which incorporated disco Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a544491/sophie-ellis-bextor-theres-another-dance-album-in-me-for-sure.html#~oJ5Mz01yEqNQbT#ixzz36EfgFEve Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook

Composition

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Release and promotion

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Tour

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Singles

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"Young Blood" was selected as Wanderlust's lead single, as Ellis-Bextor felt that it represented the album's sound.[9] It was released digitally on 21 November 2013, and it was eventually playlisted by BBC Radio 2.[10][11] Critics reviewed the song favourably, complimenting its tenderness and Ellis-Bextor's vocals.[12][13] The song, which became her fifteenth best-selling song in the UK, peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart while reaching the top 5 of the UK Indie Singles.[14][15][16] Sophie Muller directed its music video, which largely features Ellis-Bextor walking through an abandoned pier.[17] The song was performed live on shows including ITV's Daybreak, and German channel ZDF's ZDF Morgenmagazin.[18][19]

The album's second single, "Runaway Daydreamer", was released in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2014.[20] Critical commentary of the song was positive, with journalists praising Ellis-Bextor's vocal performance.[21] Similarly to "Young Blood", the song was performed by Ellis-Bextor on ZDF Morgenmagazin; she also sang it on ITV's Loose Women.[19][22] An accompanying music video was directed by Muller, and chiefly consists of footage from the "Young Blood" video.[17][23] The track failed to chart on the UK Singles, and instead reached number 39 of its component Indie Singles chart.[24]

"Love Is a Camera" served as the album's third single. It was serviced to BBC Radio 2, and was released on 23 June 2014.[25][26] Critics' opinions of the song varied, with the lyrics and composition of the song receiving praise and ambivalence.[27][28][29] The song charted on the UK Airplay and UK Indie Singles charts at number 32.[30][31] Its music video depicts Ellis-Bextor playing a "temptress" which lures victims into her house, takes their photograph and traps them in picture frames.[32][33]

Reception

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Critical response

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic65/100[34]
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[35]
The Daily Telegraph[36]
Digital Spy[37]
The Guardian[38]
The Independent[39]
The Irish Times[40]
musicOMH[27]
The Observer[41]
PopMatters7/10[28]
Virgin Media[21]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Wanderlust received an average score of 65, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 12 reviews.[34] Gareth James of Clash praised Ellis-Bextor's vocal performance, and found the album as impressive and noteworthy.[35] Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCornick characterised the album as an "odd" mixture of "melodious songs with thoughtful lyrics and lush, slightly wonky arrangements", while also noticing that they lack "an emotional centre".[36] Robert Copsey from Digital Spy gave Wanderlust three stars out of five, and while noting Ellis-Bextor's transition in sound, he billed it as a "brave excursion". Nonetheless, Copsey observed that, in the last part of the album, "its unusual charm has almost completely worn off".[37] The Guardian's Caroline Sullivan provided a mixed review for the album, writing that it occasionally sounds like another artist's work.[38]

In spite of giving the album two stars out of five, The Independent writer Andy Gill described her musical change as a "good move",[39] as did Louise Bruton of The Irish Times.[40] Kate Bennett of musicOMH, conversely, commented "bring back Freemasons" while referencing her departure from electropop. Bennett additionally noted that when the album distances itself from "luvvie" and songs, it comes across as a "decent, more mature" offering.[27] Hermione Hoby from The Observer opined that Ellis-Bextor "sounds like a nine-year-old girl" on Wanderlust, while PopMatters' David Farrell was more positive about the album, dubbing it a "beautiful thing to behold—a collection of quirky, lovingly crafted songs brought to life by an artist who sounds like she has found herself."[41][28] Writing for Virgin Media, Matthew Horton recognised the songs as "almost without exception, marvellous."[21]

Commercial performance

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Wanderlust debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number four with 10,844 copies sold in its first week, becoming Ellis-Bextor's highest-charting solo album since 2001's Read My Lips, which peaked at number two.[42][43] The following week, it fell to number five with sales of 8,520 copies.[44] The album slipped to number nine in its third week, selling 7,231 copies.[45] It was awarded a Silver certification by the BPI after selling 60,000 copies in the UK.[46] On the component UK Indie Albums, the album peaked at number one. Wanderlust peaked at number two on the Russian Albums Chart, and reached number nine on the Scottish Album Chart. In the Belgium regions of Wallonia and Flanders, the album respectively reached numbers 88 and 192. Wanderlust

Commercial performance

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Track listing

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Wanderlust.[47]

All tracks are written by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ed Harcourt

No.TitleLength
1."Birth of an Empire"3:48
2."Until the Stars Collide"3:39
3."Runaway Daydreamer"4:00
4."The Deer & the Wolf"3:54
5."Young Blood"4:28
6."Interlude"2:23
7."13 Little Dolls"3:32
8."Wrong Side of the Sun"3:50
9."Love Is a Camera"4:13
10."Cry to the Beat of the Band"3:38
11."When the Storm Has Blown Over"3:31

Personnel

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Credits for adapted from the liner notes of Wanderlust.[8]

Charts and certifications

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References

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  1. ^ Make a Scene (Compact Disc). EBGB's. 2011. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Sullivan, Caroline (2 June 2011). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Make a Scene – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Make a Scene Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference musicweek was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Savage, Marc (22 January 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Disco is brilliant, but what else can I do?". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  6. ^ Davidson-Vidavski, Doron (6 November 2013). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: "I think I am perfectly capable of making an album with a real vision to it"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  7. ^ Murray, Robin (18 October 2013). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor Returns With New Album". Clash. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b Wanderlust (CD liner notes). Sophie Ellis-Bextor. EBGB's. 2014. EBGBCD002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Rigby, Sam (16 January 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Looking back at my bangers". Attitude. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Young Blood - Single – Sophie Ellis-Bextor". iTunes Store (GB). 21 November 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Radio 2 Playlist". BBC Radio 2 (British Broadcasting Company). Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  12. ^ Considine, Clare (20 January 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor – 'Wanderlust' album review". Time Out. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  13. ^ Farrell, David (12 May 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust". PopMatters. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  14. ^ "Singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  15. ^ Myers, Justin (January 30, 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Official Top 20 Biggest Selling Singles revealed!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  16. ^ "February 2014/ Archive Chart". UK Indie Chart. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Young Blood" (Music video) (Media notes). 2014. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |people= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Daybreak. 9 April 2014. ITV. {{cite episode}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b ZDF Morgenmagazin. 23 January 2014. ZDF. {{cite episode}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  20. ^ "Sophie Ellis Bextor Announces New Single 'Runaway Daydreamer' Released On 31st March 2014". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  21. ^ a b c Horton, Matthew. "Wanderlust – Sophie Ellis-Bextor". Virgin Media. Retrieved 17 June 2014. Cite error: The named reference "virgin" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  22. ^ Loose Women. 17 March 2014. ITV. {{cite episode}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Muller, Sophie (director) (2014). "Runaway Daydreamer" (Music video).
  24. ^ "April 2014/ Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  25. ^ "A List". BBC Radio 2. 31 May 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  26. ^ "Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Announces New Single 'Love Is a Camera' Released 23rd June and Autumn Tour Dates" (Press release). Pressparty. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  27. ^ a b c Bennett, Kate (14 January 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Wanderlust". musicOMH. Retrieved 1 June 2014. Cite error: The named reference "musicomh" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  28. ^ a b c Farrell, David (12 May 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust". PopMatters. Retrieved 1 June 2014. Cite error: The named reference "popmatters" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  29. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Wanderlust". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  30. ^ "UK Airplay Chart of 15 June 2014". UK Airplay Chart. Radiomonitor. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  31. ^ "UK Indie Top 40 Chart, 15 June 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  32. ^ Muller, Sophie (director) (2014). "Love Is a Camera" (Music video).
  33. ^ Rowley, Alison (30 May 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor unveils gothic video for 'Love Is A Camera'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  34. ^ a b "Wanderlust – Sophie Ellis-Bextor". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  35. ^ a b James, Gareth (16 January 2014). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Wanderlust". Clash. Retrieved 21 January 2013. Cite error: The named reference "clash" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  36. ^ a b McCormick, Neil (16 January 2013). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Wanderlust, review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  37. ^ a b Copsey, Robert (15 January 2013). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust review: 'A brave musical excursion'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  38. ^ a b Sullivan, Caroline (16 January 2013). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  39. ^ a b Gill, Andy (18 January 2013). "Album reviews: Mogwai, Warpaint, Damien Jurado, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Thee Silver Mount Zion, East India Youth". The Independent. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  40. ^ a b Bruton, Louise. date=17 January 2013 "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Missing pipe in: |archiveurl= (help)
  41. ^ a b Hoby, Hermione (19 January 2013). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust – review". The Observer. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  42. ^ Jones, Alan (27 January 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: Goulding reclaims No.1 album spot with 21,000 sales". Music Week. Retrieved 27 January 2014. (subscription required)
  43. ^ Lane, Daniel (26 January 2014). "Ellie Goulding returns to top of the Official Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  44. ^ Jones, Alan (3 February 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: Clean Bandit single sells another 137k". Music Week. Retrieved 20 February 2014. (subscription required)
  45. ^ Jones, Alan (10 February 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: 19k sales enough for Bombay Bicycle Club to hit No.1". Music Week. Retrieved 20 February 2014. (subscription required)
  46. ^ "Official twitter feed for BPI". 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  47. ^ Cite error: The named reference ntoes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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