Big Fat Lie

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Big Fat Lie
Studio album by
Nicole Scherzinger
ReleasedOctober 17, 2014 (2014-10-17)
Recorded2013–2014
Genre
Length43:59
LabelRCA
Producer
Nicole Scherzinger chronology
Killer Love
(2011) 		Big Fat Lie
(2014) 		Sunset Blvd: The Album
(2024)
Singles from Big Fat Lie
  1. "Your Love"
    Released: May 30, 2014
  2. "Run"
    Released: September 30, 2014
  3. "On the Rocks"
    Released: October 10, 2014
  4. "Bang"
    Released: December 15, 2014

Big Fat Lie is the second

studio album by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, released on October 17, 2014, by RCA Records. Scherzinger began working on the record in the summer of 2013, enlisting Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart to executively produce the album with Felix Snow, Bart Schoudel, Chris "TEK" O'Ryan and Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney also contributing. The title track was inspired by Scherzinger's struggle with an eating disorder.[1]
It is Scherzinger’s last studio effort to date.

"

On the Rocks" was released on October 10 elsewhere. "Run" was subsequently released in Great Britain, reaching the top-thirty in Scotland and top-fifty in the UK. A fourth single "Bang
" was released in December 2014 but failed to chart. Big Fat Lie underperformed critically and commercially, failing to achieve any similar success to Scherzinger's debut album in any territory.

Background

Following the end of the

tenth series of The X Factor as the promotion for the album would clash with the live stages of the singing competition.[5] She ultimately decided to return as a judge,[6] and scrapped the album "Boomerang" was associated with.[7] It was during this time the media reported that Scherzinger was dropped from Interscope Records, however a spokesperson for Scherzinger denied speculation and confirmed that she was working with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.[8]

When asked why "Boomerang" wouldn't appear on the album, she responded: "It's just going to remain a stand-alone single. In fact I did an entire album that belongs with "Boomerang". It had its own family. Unfortunately I don't know if those songs will ever be heard." She also revealed that she had recorded five albums between the release of her debut and second album, which were all scrapped.[9]

In January 2014, it was announced that Scherzinger signed a multi-album deal with Sony Records imprint label, RCA Records. She left her long-time label, Interscope Records. For the second album, Scherzinger collaborated with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart who executive produced the record whilst a lead single would be released in the summer.[10] In February, Scherzinger left The X Factor because she wanted to work on the new album. Sessions with The Dream and Tricky Stewart began in the summer of 2013 in Los Angeles. According to Scherzinger, "the music started to come naturally, without any outside influence, without any labels, just for us, just for music's sake."[11]

Release

On September 16, 2014, Scherzinger revealed the track listing for Big Fat Lie through

Idolator noted that the image "screams early Janet Jackson."[13] It was made available the same day for pre-order through the iTunes Store and it was confirmed that it would be released on October 17, 2014.[14]

Composition

Unlike her previous album

PBR&B on the song "Heartbreaker". Nicole's vocals on the songs "Heartbreaker" and "Electric Blue" in particular, were compared to those of Janet Jackson. "Electric Blue" was compared to Janet Jackson's album The Velvet Rope (1997) for the similar production, and Nicole's sweet, soft, soothing, silky, sexy, smooth vocals. The song "Bang" was compared to the work of Ciara, specifically her Basic Instinct album (2010), which both The-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart also produced. "Just a Girl" is a "throwback to 90's R&B" with its production. "Girl With a Diamond Heart" mixes dance-pop and R&B. "First Time" is features a more traditional pop and R&B sound. "Little Boy" is a soulful ballad that is mostly free of a beat to put the focus on Nicole's vocals and lyrics. It was described as one of the most soulful songs on the album, and a mistake to only have it on the deluxe version of the album. In sound, it is similar to The-Dream's own song "Fancy", and Kelly Rowland's song "Keep It Between Us". The lyrics speak of wanting somebody that you can't have, and wanting them so much that you forget what you have already. "Unison" is a "feel good" chilled R&B track. "God of War" is a dark "angry" R&B-ish ballad, similar to the work of The Weeknd. Many of the songs incorporate The-Dream
's own style into them with some new styles as well. Many liked what The-Dream did with Nicole and her music, while others criticized it for being outdated and too generic. Scherzinger said that songs from Big Fat Lie are pop and R&B with more
urban influences than her previous album.[15] She cited The Velvet Rope (1997), the sixth studio album by fellow American R&B singer Janet Jackson, and Sade as major influences.[16] She further elaborated that the album is "vibey, it's cool, it's got a lot of soul and it's a very personal album to me."[15]

Promotion

To promote the album, Scherzinger made several media interviews on TV, radio…She starred covers of various magazines. Scherzinger first performed "Your Love" on the British chat show Alan Carr: Chatty Man on June 13, 2014.[17] At the Isle of MTV festival in Malta, Scherzinger performed "Your Love" along with a number of songs which included songs from her former group The Pussycat Dolls. She performed while wearing black leather shorts and gold body chains and was accompanied by male and female dancers.[18] Scherzinger also promoted the single in the UK performing on such shows as The One Show, Loose Women and Lorraine. Other promotion consisted of interviews and live acoustic performances on radio stations such as Kiss FM and 4Music.[citation needed]

The first televised performance of "Run" was on

eleventh series of The X Factor where she received praise for her great vocals. Although the performance was very simple with limited lighting, the original version had lasers as light effect as indicated Scherzinger in her Instagram account, but due to technical problems, could not be used. In addition, Scherzinger appeared at the Live Free Radio Birmingham festival on November 29 .She also performed at the KEY 103 Christmas Live festival, on December 4, 2014. She went to Azerbaijan to perform at the Adrenaline Festival of Azerbaijan.[23] She also sang in France, at Saint-Etienne [24] and at the Energy Stars For Free festival, organized by NRJ radio and held at the Hallenstadion in Zurich where Scherzinger interpreted "Your Love", "Run" and "Don't Hold Your Breath".[25] Scherzinger also appeared at the Newcastle Metro Radio's Christmas Live festival. An acoustic set was held in the USA for Perez Hilton, where she sang "Run"[26] and Sam Smith's "Stay with me". On December 15, 2014, through her VEVO channel, Scherzinger released a music video for the song "Bang" [27] to introduce her to the US market. During the short clip, Nicole plays with shadows, silhouettes, symmetries and demonstrates her skills hip-hop dancing skills. In February 2015 Scherzinger gave a concert in the Chaos club in Manila, Philippines after performing at a private wedding in India.[citation needed
]

Singles

The album's lead single "

UK Singles Chart at number six and received moderate success in other international markets,[32] peaking at number 22 in France, number 62 in Switzerland and number 99 in Germany.[33]

"Run" was released and impacted

On the Rocks", was released on October 10, 2014 as the second single in the UK.[37] The song received negative reviews from music critics, criticizing the outdated production and the use of Auto-Tune.[38][39] The accompanying black-and-white music video was released on September 5 and depicts Scherzinger confronting her boyfriend before running outside the house liberating herself.[40] The fourth single, "Bang", was released as a digital download in the United States on December 15, 2014. An accompanying music video was released simultaneously which showcases Scherzinger's silhouette with dance breaks along with a male dancer.[41]

Reception

Critical

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
MTV UK
[45]
The Times[46]

Big Fat Lie received mixed reviews from music critics. Theo Watt of

Evening Standard wrote that despite its "filler" the album is a "result is an appealing unity of supertight sound, where Scherzinger suggests a more vulnerable Beyoncé."[44] In a more mixed review Lewis Corner of Digital Spy wrote that none of the songs quite to showcase her "flying vocal range, sharp choreography and glorious demeanor". He ended the review saying that the album "reaches for something it can't quite accomplish".[43] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic found that the album's production "isn't particularly distinctive" and criticized Tricky Stewart and The-Dream for not bringing "their A game". He ended the review writing, "There's nothing embarrassing about their work here but there's nothing memorable, and that suits a singer who has yet to strike a memorable pose in a decade of trying."[42]

Commercial

The album first appeared on the

France (number 108) and Switzerland (number 95).[50]

Track listing

Big Fat Lie standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Your Love"
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Bart Schoudel[a]
4:06
2."Electric Blue" (featuring T.I.)
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Schoudel
3:41
3."On the Rocks"
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • McKinney
  • Schoudel[a]
5:07
4."Heartbreaker"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
4:59
5."God of War"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • O'Ryan
3:57
6."Girl with a Diamond Heart"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • O'Ryan
3:38
7."Just a Girl"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Schoudel
3:26
8."First Time"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
3:19
9."Bang"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Schoudel
4:27
10."Big Fat Lie"
  • Godz of Analog
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Schoudel
3:49
11."Run"
  • Snow
  • O'Ryan
3:30
Total length:43:59
Big Fat Lie digital deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Little Boy"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
3:50
13."Unison"
  • Nash
  • Stewart
3:48
14."Cold World"
  • Tranter
  • Stewart
3:26
15."Your Love" (music video)
  • Nash
  • Stewart
4:04
16."On the Rocks" (music video)
  • Nash
  • Stewart
  • McKinney
4:28
Total length:63:35

Notes[51]

  • ^a signifies a vocal producer

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Big Fat Lie.[51]

  • Alejandro Baima – assistant engineering (track 11)
  • Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing (track 4)
  • Manny Dominick – additional percussion (track 1)
  • Josh Drucker – assistant mixing (tracks 1–3, 5–10)
  • Brian Gardner – mastering (track 1)
  • Brandon Harding – assistant engineering (track 10), assistant recording (track 3)
  • Jordan Lewis – additional recording (track 5), assistant recording (tracks 1–4, 6), assistant mixing (track 7)
  • Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney – producer (track 3)
  • Terius "The-Dream" Nash – producer (tracks 1–10), programming, sequencing (tracks 3, 7, 8)
  • Bart Schoudel – vocal production (tracks 1–3, 7, 9, 10), engineering (tracks 1, 3, 7–10), additional recording (tracks 2, 4)
  • Felix Snow – producer, mixer (track 11)
  • Brian "B-LUV" Thomas – engineering (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6), additional recording (tracks 1, 3)
  • Christopher "Tricky" Stewart – producer (tracks 1–10), programming, sequencing (tracks 3, 7–10)
  • Pat Thrall – additional editing (track 1)
  • Brent Paschke – guitar (tracks 1, 10)
  • Bianca Puente – assistant engineering (track 8), additional recording (track 5), assistant recording (tracks 2, 4, 6)
  • Stevy Pyne – guitar (track 3)
  • Eddie Smith III – additional programming (tracks 10)
  • Chris "Tek" O'Ryan – vocal production (tracks 4–6, 11), engineer (track 11), additional recording (tracks 2, 4–6), guitar (track 4)
  • Nick Valentin – assistant engineering (tracks 1, 9, 12), assistant recording (tracks 1, 9, 12)
  • Andrew Wuepper – mixing (tracks 1–3, 5–10)

Charts

Chart performance for Big Fat Lie
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)[52] 16
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[53] 156
French Albums (SNEP)[54] 108
Irish Albums (IRMA)[47] 39
South Korean International Albums (
Circle)[55]
 34
Scottish Albums (OCC)[56] 19
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[57] 95
UK Albums (OCC)[58] 17

Release history

Release history and formats for Big Fat Lie
Country Date Version Format Label Ref
Germany 17 October 2014
  • Standard
  • deluxe
Sony Music
 [59]
Ireland [14]
France 20 October 2014 [60]
Spain [61]
United Kingdom RCA [62]
Italy 21 October 2014 Sony Music [63]
Brazil [64]
Poland [65]
Australia 24 October 2014 [66]
United States 25 February 2022 Deluxe Digital download, streaming Sony Music

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nicole Scherzinger: New album title Big Fat Lie about eating disorder". Digital Spy. October 2, 2014.
  2. ^ Corner, Lewis (March 8, 2013). "Nicole Scherzinger 'didn't want to rush-release run album for X Factor'". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  3. ^ Eames, Tom (March 17, 2013). "Justin Timberlake keeps UK singles No.1 for third week with 'Mirrors'". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  4. ^ Copsey, Robert (March 12, 2013). "Exclusive: Nicole Scherzinger on new album: 'It takes no prisoners'". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  5. ^ Eames, Tom (April 10, 2013). "Nicole Scherzinger 'having doubts over X Factor, clashes with album'". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  6. ^ Fletcher, Alex (May 22, 2013). "'X Factor' judges confirmed: Sharon Osbourne returns". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  7. ^ Craag, Michael (June 23, 2014). "The playlist: pop – Music". The Guardian. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  8. Entertainmentwise. November 23, 2013. Archived from the original
    on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Nicole Scherzinger interview: 'I've scrapped five whole albums'". Digital Spy. June 21, 2014.
  10. ^ Copsey, Robert (February 19, 2013). "Nicole Scherzinger signs new record deal, confirms album release". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  11. ^ "Nicole Scherzinger keeps it 'raw and real' as she returns to day job with new single Your Love". News.com.au. May 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  12. Idolator
    . Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  13. ^ Wass, Mike (September 16, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger's Sophomore LP Is Called 'Big Fat Lie': Check Out The Sexy Cover & Deluxe Tracklist". Idolator. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Music – Big Fat Lie (Deluxe) by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple Inc. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Nicole Scherzinger Tells Us About 'Your Love', New Album And How To Get The Scherzy Bod!". Capital FM. July 15, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  16. ^ Corner, Lewis (June 21, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger interview: 'I've scrapped five whole albums'". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  17. ^ Scum, David (June 13, 2014). "Alan Carr: Chatty Man on Channel 4 tonight with Pharrell Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Phillip Schofield & Cher Lloyd". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
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  23. ^ "Adrenaline festival – Concerts in Baku – CityLife.az". citylife.az. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
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  49. ^ McGrath, Rachel (September 16, 2015). "Nicole Scherzinger Denies Being Dropped By Record Label, Promising New Music For 2016 (EXCLUSIVE)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
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  51. ^ a b Big Fat Lie (Media notes). Nicole Scherzinger. RCA Records.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  55. Circle Chart
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