Don't Look Down (Skylar Grey album)
Don't Look Down | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 5, 2013 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Skylar Grey chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Don't Look Down | ||||
|
Don't Look Down is the second
Background
Don't Look Down was scheduled to be released in the fall of 2011, under the title Invinsible, a portmanteau of "invisible" and "invincible", an idea which was given to her by American musician Marilyn Manson.[3] Grey had said that the album would be a complete departure from any of her previous work, stating in interviews with Los Angeles Times and Rap-Up, that the album's sound is "...commercial, yet avant-garde...", with "...cinematic beats and atmospheric hooks...", and "...sonically I can tell you that every song sounds different and it's really diverse, kind of going from cinematic to fun to dark. Alex and I really push each other creatively...".[3] In an October 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, Grey re-titled the album to its current namesake and announced that American rapper Eminem, would executive produce the album. She also said she had been working with J. R. Rotem.[4]
Promotion and singles
The album's lead single, "
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [15] |
HitFix | B−[16] |
Knoxville News Sentinel | [17] |
Newsday | B−[18] |
New York Post | [19] |
Now | [20] |
The Oakland Press | [21] |
Rolling Stone | [22] |
Slant Magazine | [23] |
USA Today | [24] |
Don't Look Down garnered generally mixed reception from music critics. At Metacritic, they assign a weighted score to ratings and reviews from selected music critics, and the album has a Metascore of 58, which is based upon six reviews.[14] This means it has been given "mixed or average" reception.[14] At The New York Times, Jon Pareles gave it a positive review, and affirmed that "angst, melody and a hip-hop backbone are a promising combination."[2] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe gave a positive review, and stated "if the music gods smile favorably upon her, Grey will soon be known as a solo artist in her own right, thanks to the gifts for melody and turning a phrase displayed on this captivating debut under her current nom de pop."[25]
At Knoxville News Sentinel, Chuck Campbell feels the release "may not clearly define who Grey is, but it's fitfully gutsy."[17] Melinda Newman of HitFix told the album "sounds like Grey made the album she wanted to: one that shows her many different sides: lover, fighter, muse... but your appreciation for it will depend upon your tolerance for the often misplaced reliance on beats."[16] At Newsday, Glenn Gamboa alluded to how the listener will "keep waiting for her to show some emotion -- any emotion."[18] At New York Post, Michaelangelo Matos affirmed while "the occasional misfire aside, the R&B-leaning pop rocker knows how to write a hook".[19] Gary Graff of The Oakland Press stated that this is a "somewhat messy 12-song set that seems to pit what Grey wants to be — or thinks she should — against her natural creative leanings."[21] At USA Today, Elysa Gardner told that Grey "has successfully collaborated [with] other artists", but without her collaborators, Grey "conveys less a personality than a variety of poses evoking clichés reinforced by her accessible but unremarkable hip-hop-fueled pop."[24] But, Ted Scheinan of Slant Magazine was against this notion, when he wrote that in "complicating matters further, executive producer Eminem allows far too many cooks in the kitchen, a reflexive inclusivity that leaves the album feeling over-processed."[23]
Scheinan of Slant Magazine feels "Don't Look Down is the sound of an artist negotiating with her own MC impulses, of a talented lyricist whose pop instincts tell her to abridge herself."
It was placed at No. 79 on Amazon's Best Albums of 2013 list.[26]
Commercial performance
In its first week of release Don't Look Down debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling 24,000 copies in the United States.[27] The album has sold 62,000 copies in the United States as of August 2016.[28]
Track listings
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) |
|
| 4:23 |
2. | "Final Warning" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:40 |
3. | "Wear Me Out" |
| Rotem | 3:30 |
4. | "Religion" |
|
| 3:09 |
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) |
| Alex da Kid | 3:38 |
6. | "Sunshine" |
|
| 3:46 |
7. | "Pulse" |
| 3:39 | |
8. | "Glow in the Dark" |
|
| 3:44 |
9. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) |
|
| 3:27 |
10. | "Clear Blue Sky" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:49 |
11. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" |
| Alex da Kid | 4:02 |
12. | "White Suburban" | Hafermann | Hafermann | 4:43 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) |
|
| 4:23 |
2. | "Final Warning" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:40 |
3. | "Wear Me Out" |
| Rotem | 3:30 |
4. | "Religion" |
|
| 3:09 |
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) |
| Alex da Kid | 3:38 |
6. | "Love the Way You Lie Part III" (Original demo bonus track) |
| Hafermann | 4:11 |
7. | "Sunshine" |
|
| 3:46 |
8. | "Pulse" |
| 3:39 | |
9. | "Glow in the Dark" |
|
| 3:44 |
10. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) |
|
| 3:27 |
11. | "Clear Blue Sky" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:49 |
12. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" |
| Alex da Kid | 4:02 |
13. | "Ticking Time Bomb" (bonus track) |
| Alex da Kid | 4:14 |
14. | "White Suburban" | Hafermann | Hafermann | 4:43 |
15. | "Coming Home, Pt. II" (bonus track) | Hafermann | Hafermann | 2:44 |
Total length: | 53:59 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) | 4:22 | ||
2. | "Final Warning" | 3:40 | ||
3. | "Wear Me Out" | 3:28 | ||
4. | "Religion" | 3:08 | ||
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) | 3:38 | ||
6. | "Only Thing I Hear" (featuring Travis Barker) |
|
| 3:21 |
7. | "Sunshine" | 3:45 | ||
8. | "Pulse" | 3:38 | ||
9. | "Glow in the Dark" | 3:44 | ||
10. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) | 3:25 | ||
11. | "Clear Blue Sky" | 3:49 | ||
12. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" | 4:00 | ||
13. | "White Suburban" | 4:41 | ||
Total length: | 48:39 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead" (featuring Big Sean and Travis Barker) | 4:22 | ||
2. | "Final Warning" | 3:40 | ||
3. | "Wear Me Out" | 3:28 | ||
4. | "Religion" | 3:08 | ||
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) | 3:38 | ||
6. | "Weirdo" |
|
| 2:37 |
7. | "Sunshine" | 3:45 | ||
8. | "Pulse" | 3:38 | ||
9. | "Glow in the Dark" | 3:44 | ||
10. | "Beautiful Nightmare" |
|
| 3:29 |
11. | "Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) | 3:25 | ||
12. | "Clear Blue Sky" | 3:49 | ||
13. | "Tower (Don't Look Down)" | 4:00 | ||
14. | "White Suburban" | 4:41 | ||
Total length: | 51:24 |
- Notes
- ^[a] denotes co-producer
- "C'mon Let Me Ride" contains portions of "Bicycle Race", written by Freddie Mercury.[34]
Charts
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[35] | 25 |
US Billboard 200[36] | 8 |
Personnel
|
|
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Belgium[37] | July 5, 2013 | Digital download | Universal Music |
Italy[38] | |||
Netherlands[39] | |||
Spain[40] | |||
United Kingdom[41] | July 8, 2013 | Interscope Records | |
Canada[42] | July 9, 2013 | CD | |
United States[29][43] | CD, digital download | KidinaKorner , Interscope
| |
July 10, 2013 | CD + autographed Snapback
| ||
Australia[44][45] | July 12, 2013 | CD | Universal Music |
iTunes Session
iTunes Session | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
EP by | ||||
Released | October 15, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | Acoustic pop | |||
Label |
| |||
Skylar Grey chronology | ||||
|
iTunes Session is the fifth extended play by American singer-songwriter Skylar Grey. It contains nine songs. The EP was released elusively to the iTunes store on October 15, 2013.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | {{{extra_column}}} | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back from the Dead (iTunes Session)" |
| 3:43 | |
2. | "Wear Me Out (iTunes Session)" |
| 3:28 | |
3. | "Room for Happiness (iTunes Session)" |
|
| 3:49 |
4. | "All I Want (iTunes Session)" | 3:45 | ||
5. | "C'mon Let Me Ride" |
| 3:02 | |
6. | "Sunshine (iTunes Session)" |
| 3:19 | |
7. | "White Suburban (iTunes Session)" |
| 4:25 | |
8. | "S**t, Man! (iTunes Session)" |
| 2:22 | |
9. | "Love the Way You Lie (iTunes Session)" |
| 4:19 |
References
- ^ Stewart, Allison (2013-07-05). "Skylar Grey's solo debut finally set to see the light of day - Washington Post". Articles.washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ a b Pareles, Jon (July 8, 2013). "New Albums by Skylar Grey, Okkyung Lee and Geoffrey Keezer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ a b "Skylar Grey Says Debut Album Will Explain 'How I Became Invincible'". Billboard. June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
- ^ Steve Baltin (October 31, 2012). "Eminem Sings Classic Queen Hook on Skylar Grey's New Single". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
- ^ SkylarGreyVEVO (11 December 2012). "Skylar Grey - C'mon Let Me Ride ft. Eminem". Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2013 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Pop song B". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ^ "New Music: Skylar Grey – 'Final Warning' [Snippet]". Rap-Up.com. 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ SkylarGreyVEVO (13 May 2013). "Skylar Grey - Final Warning". Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2013 – via YouTube.
- ^ "New Music: Skylar Grey – 'Wear Me Out'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ SkylarGreyVEVO (11 June 2013). "Skylar Grey - Wear Me Out (Explicit)". Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2013 – via YouTube.
- ^ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ "Video: Skylar Grey – 'White Suburban'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ Lilah, Rose (September 30, 2017). "Skylar Grey Feat. Big Sean & Travis Barker "Back from the Dead" Video". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (July 9, 2013). "Don't Look Down - Skylar Grey". Allmusic. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Newman, Melinda (July 9, 2013). "Album review: Skylar Grey's 'Don't Look Down'". HitFix. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Campbell, Chuck (July 9, 2013). "'Tuned In' review: Skylar Grey's 'Look' mixes courage with desperation". Knoxville News Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Gamboa, Glenn (July 5, 2013). "Skylar Grey's 'Don't Look Down' review: Remote control". Newday. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Matos, Michaelangelo (July 8, 2013). "Skylar Grey's songs bring sunny hooks". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Siddiqui, Tabassum (July 25, 2013). "Skylar Grey: Don't Look Down (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope)". Now. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ a b Graff, Gary (July 9, 2013). "Album reviews: Skylar Grey, Ciara, Pat Travers Band, more". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b c Hermes, Will (July 29, 2013). "Skylar Grey, 'Don't Look Down'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Scheinman, Ted (July 7, 2013). "Skylar Grey: Don't Look Down". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Gardner, Elysa (July 8, 2013). "Listen Up: The Editors, Skylar Grey, Ciara". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ Rodman, Sarah (July 8, 2013). "ALBUM REVIEW: Skylar Grey, 'Don't Look Down'". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ "Amazon's 100 Best Albums of 2013". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ Grein, Paul (2013-07-16). "Week Ending July 14, 2013. Albums: Jay-Z Back On The Throne | Chart Watch - Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "Don't Look Down [Explicit Lyrics]". Barnes & Noble. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down [Explicit] [+digital booklet]: Skylar Grey: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ "Skylar Grey – Don't Look Down – Spotify". Spotify. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ^ "Skylar Grey – Dont Look Down – Only at Target". Target Corporation. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down (Deluxe Edition / 2 Bonus Tracks): Skylar Grey: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- KidinaKorner / Interscope (Universal Music Group). Catalog #602537424795.
- ^ "Skylar Grey - Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ "Billboard 200 : Jul 27, 2013 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ "Don't Look Down". iTunes BE. Apple Inc. January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down". iTunes IT. Apple Inc. January 2013. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down". iTunes NL. Apple Inc. January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down". iTunes ES. Apple Inc. January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "Buy online at Play.com and read reviews. Free delivery to UK and Europe!". Play.com. 2013-07-08. Archived from the original on 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ "hmv.ca: music, dvd, blu-ray, MP3 digital downloads". HMV Canada. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down". Amazon. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Don't Look Down – Grey, Skylar". JB Hi-Fi. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Buy Don't Look Down Skylar Grey, Urban, CD | Sanity" Archived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. Sanity. Retrieved 8 July 2013.