What We Live For
What We Live For | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 1, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2014–16 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:21 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Producer | ||||
American Authors chronology | ||||
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Singles from What We Live For | ||||
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What We Live For is the second studio album by American pop rock band American Authors, produced by returning collaborators Aaron Accetta and Shep Goodman. Running at 42 minutes and comprising twelve tracks, the album was released worldwide by Island Records on July 1, 2016. The album marks the third major release by the band under the American Authors moniker, and largely continues the sound of their debut album, Oh, What a Life.
What We Live For debuted at number 60 on the
Background and recording
We’re really feeling the pressure of, ‘OK, how do we take what people know and love about us from the first album, but really give it where we’re at today and kind of take it to the next level, for who we are as people, and who we are as musicians right now'
— Frontman Zac Barnett, discussing feelings about the band's second album.[1]
In March 2014, American Authors released their debut
Songwriting and early recording sessions for the band's follow-up to Oh, What a Life began as early as on tour in 2014. While serving as a supporting act on the Native Summer Tour, the band entertained the idea of co-writing a song with OneRepublic's frontman Ryan Tedder, hoping to add what American Authors frontman Zac Barnett as "the Ryan Tedder touch".[7] The band continued to write and record new songs for the album during their time on the 13th Annual Honda Civic Tours and tours throughout 2015, with some songs even being premiered and exercised live in their tours, such as "Nothing Better" and "Pride".[a][10] Principal recording commenced in early to mid 2015,[11] and was primarily recorded with producers Aaron Accetta and Shep Goodman, who had previously worked with the band on their eponymous extended play and Oh, What a Life. While the band had an extensive set of songs at the beginning of the sessions, enough to create an album outright, the band exercised their material and continued to write and record new songs well into 2016.[11]
Composition
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/American_Authors_at_Heaven_London%2C_2014_%284%29.jpg/220px-American_Authors_at_Heaven_London%2C_2014_%284%29.jpg)
What We Live For largely continues the sound of the band's debut studio album, Oh, What a Life. Lead singer Zac Barnett stated that "we tried to take a lot of the stuff that our fans like and love about us from Oh, What a Life and take that to the next level as far as sounds go. [We] brought back some of the old instruments like mandolin and banjo, but also experimented with a lot of different sounds like vocal samples. We brought back a lot of piano [and] bigger harmonies."[11] Lyrically, the album builds on Oh, What a Life's biographical themes, which followed the band's origins and journey; What We Live For documents the band's experiences during the present and their perspective on the future.[11]
Promotion
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Reception
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Critical
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Soundtrack appearances
- "Go Big or Go Home" was featured in NBA videos showing highlights from the 2015 playoffs.
- "Right Here Right Now" is featured on EA Sports game, Madden NFL 17.[19]
- "What We Live For" was featured in 2016 World Cup of Hockey video packages.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | " I'm Born to Run" |
| 3:26 |
3. | "Pride" |
| 3:11 |
4. | "Right Here Right Now" |
| 3:01 |
5. | "Nothing Better" |
| 3:38 |
6. | "Replaced" |
| 3:32 |
7. | "Go Big or Go Home" |
| 2:49 |
8. | "Mess with Your Heart" |
| 4:03 |
9. | "No Love" |
| 3:33 |
10. | "Pocket Full of Gold" |
| 3:00 |
11. | "Superman" |
| 4:08 |
12. | "Mind Body Soul" |
| 5:02 |
Total length: | 42:21 |
Personnel
American Authors
- Zac Barnett – lead vocals, guitar
- James Adam Shelley – lead guitar, banjo, mandolin
- Dave Rublin – bass, keyboard
- Matt Sanchez – drums, percussion
Production
- Aaron Accetta – producer
- Shep Goodman – producer
- Frequency – producer of "Mess With Your Heart"
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200[20] | 60 |
US | 10 |
US | 6 |
US | 6 |
Release history
Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog no. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia[24] | July 1, 2016 | Island | Digital download | — |
France[25] | ||||
United Kingdom[26] | ||||
United States[d] |
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SUK 5093901 (CD) |
References
Notes
- ^ Citations for live performances of "Nothing Better"[8] and "Pride"[9]
- ^ a b c d The writing credits attributed to "What We Live For", "Right Here Right Now", "Nothing Better", and "Go Big or Go Home" are sourced from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' songwriting credits database, which can be found at this link.
- ^ All Music' songwriting credits database, which can be found at this link.
- ^ Citations for United States release of What We Live For: Compact Disc,[27] Digital[16]
Citations
- ^ a b Stern, Andrew (September 1, 2015). "This band of college dropouts has a monster hit single -- but people still don't know who they are". Business Insider. Axel Springer SE. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Gannett Company. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Trust, Gary (March 3, 2014). "Chart Highlights: American Authors Are 'Best' On Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- Hearst Corporation. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA - American Authors, "Best Day of My Life"". Recording Industry Association of America. April 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Jason, Andrew (August 14, 2014). "American Authors On Fargo, Success And Touring With One Republic". Fargo Monthly Magazine. Spotlight Media LLC. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Baltin, Steve (June 3, 2014). "American Authors Look to Add 'Ryan Tedder Touch' to Next Album". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "American Authors Setlist at House of Blues, San Diego, CA, USA". Setlist.fm. October 2, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "American Authors Setlist at Iron City, Birmingham, AL, USA". Setlist.fm. August 2, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Hudelson, Molly (August 11, 2014). "Exclusive: Interview with American Authors' Zac Barnett". AXS TV. 2929 Entertainment. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Eitel, Zoe (May 2, 2016). "American Authors talks 'the next level'". The Columbia Chronicle. Columbia College Chicago. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ Marcus, Ezra (May 18, 2015). "American Authors Return with 'Go Big or Go Home': Listen". Radio.com. CBS Local Digital Media. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Pride - Single by American Authors". iTunes Store AU. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ a b Island Records staff (March 2, 2016). "American Authors Announce New Album & Tour". Island Records. Universal Music Group. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ a b ABC News Radio Music News Group (March 2, 2016). "American Authors Announce New Album Title, Release Date & Tour Dates". ABC News Radio. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "What We Live For by American Authors". iTunes Store US. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Hey guys! We are still putting the finishing... - American Authors". Facebook.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "What We Live For - American Authors". AllMusic. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
- ^ "Madden NFL 17 Soundtrack". EA Sports. Electronic Arts Inc. August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "American Authors Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "What We Live For by American Authors". iTunes Store AU. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "What We Live For by American Authors". iTunes Store FR. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "What We Live For by American Authors". iTunes Store GB. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "What We Live For - CD". Best Buy. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
External links