I Am (Leona Lewis album)

I Am
A young, mixed race woman looks towards the camera. Sprouting out of her back are a pair of giant butterfly wings and the words "Leona Lewis: I Am" above her.
Studio album by Leona Lewis
Released 11 September 2015 (2015-09-11)
Recorded 2013–15
Genre Neo-soul[1]
Length 35:35
Label
Producer
Leona Lewis chronology
Christmas, with Love
(2013)		 I Am
(2015)
Singles from I Am
  1. "Fire Under My Feet"
    Released: 7 June 2015
  2. "I Am"
    Released: 17 July 2015
  3. "Thunder"
    Released: 24 July 2015

I Am is the fifth studio album by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis. It was released on 11 September 2015, by Island Records after Lewis took leave from Syco Music in June 2014. Recording began in mid 2013, during the production of Lewis's first Christmas and fourth studio album, Christmas, with Love (2013). Recording sessions resumed in January 2014 with producer Poet, Toby Gad and Wayne Wilkins. I Am is preceded by the release of "Fire Under My Feet" and the album's title track except for in the United States where "Thunder" precedes the album. The album sold 24,000 copies worldwide during its first week of release.

Background

In February 2013, a representative from Syco Music, Lewis' record label, announced that she was about to start writing and recording material "imminently" for her fourth studio album, and that it would be released in late 2013.[2] The news came after Lewis announced that she had parted ways from Modest! Management, the management team who had represented her since she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.[2] Various media outlets speculated that this was due to the weak commercial performance of her third studio album, Glassheart, which was released in November 2012. It became her first album to not debut at number one or earn platinum certification in the United Kingdom.[2] In August 2013, Lewis confirmed that she was in the process of recording her first Christmas album, and that label boss and friend, Simon Cowell, came up with the idea.[3][4] Lewis released Christmas, with Love in November 2013; it peaked at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 27 December 2013, denoting shipments of more than 100,000 copies.[5][6]

Development

On 23 September 2013, it was announced that Lewis would make her acting debut in Walking on Sunshine, a 1980s-inspired musical film.[7] In an interview with Digital Spy on 27 November 2013, Lewis confirmed that she would begin official recording sessions for her fifth studio album in January 2014, after she had finished promoting Christmas, with Love.[8] She revealed that during the production of Christmas, with Love in Summer 2013, she had met with some producers to conceptualise a theme for the album, but that the main focus at the time was to compose songs for the Christmas album.[8] With regard to style and composition, Lewis said that 2013 allowed her to become re-inspired; she stated that after recording songs for Walking on Sunshine, she wanted the album to have a 1980s sound. Later, however, after she recorded Motown inspired songs for the Christmas album, it allowed her to "just get out of [her] head and go into something completely different", stating that she is now leaning towards a "retro throwback sound" as a possible theme for the album.[8]

In an interview for the Daily Star on 3 January 2014, Lewis said that by performing Christmas, with Love's lead single, "One More Sleep", she had begun to smile again. She commented that she never smiles when performing, due to being "drawn to melancholy, heart-wrenching melodies," and that she had enjoyed doing something different.[9] The singer confirmed that the majority of the album would be more "fun" with a Motown feel, and that some "non-festive" Motown songs have already been put aside which she recorded during the production of Christmas, with Love throughout mid 2013.[9] In the same interview, Lewis said she would like to collaborate with American rock band, Haim.[9]

On 3 June 2014, it was announced that Lewis had parted ways with her record label of seven years, Syco Music. Label boss and mentor Simon Cowell tweeted: "Congratulations Leona. We had 7 great years together and now wish you all the best for the future. You put X Factor on the map."[10] Lewis confirmed that she had signed a new contract in the United Kingdom with rival record company Island Records, a division of the Universal Music Group. On joining the label, Lewis said: "After seven incredible years at Sony I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to sign to perhaps the most iconic label of all, Island Records."[11] Lewis later revealed that her departure from Syco had come after "several years" of consideration. She also stated that when she expressed her desire to part with the label she was threatened that the public would be told she had been dropped by the label. However, further creative differences in relation to her fifth studio album finally caused Lewis to leave the label. Of her departure, she stated:[12]

“ I was asked to make a record that would not have been true to myself. By all means as an artist in this climate, I was thankful to even get the chance to make another record. But I cannot make music that does not speak to my soul, and as scary as it seemed, I could no longer compromise myself, and so I decided to leave. ”

Recording

On 27 November 2013, Lewis stated that, during the production of Christmas, With Love in the Summer of 2013, she met with a couple of producers to conceptualize a theme for the album. She confirmed that official recording sessions for the album would begin in January 2014. She also stated that she recently "reached out" to a couple of different song-writers and producers and expressed her desire to work with Bruno Mars and his frequent collaborators, The Smeezingtons.[8] On 19 December 2013, Lewis confirmed that she had recorded a couple of songs with Poet, who has produced material for the Black Eyed Peas, as well as some other unnamed producers. She stated her intentions of going back into the studio with Poet.[13] On 30 August 2014, Lewis revealed that she had spent the week in the studio working with Jesse Shatkin, who co-wrote "Chandelier" for Australian singer-songwriter Sia Furler. On 10 September, Diane Warren confirmed that she and Lewis would be working together.

Release and promotion

Promotion for I Am began on 19 December 2014 when Lewis posted a short clip of her performing "Fire Under My Feet" and playing the piano, while a member of her band played the drums.[14] On 12 February 2015; Lewis uploaded a video on YouTube that showed her recording the song in the studio. Four days later, another video was uploaded, showing Lewis recording several other songs from the album.[15] On 14 April 2015, Def Jam hosted an album showcase listening party for I Am during which Lewis performed five songs from the album for the first time including "Fire Under My Feet", the title track "I Am", "I Got You", "Ladders", and "Thank You".[16] Two days later, the artwork for the standard edition of the album was revealed.[17] On 21 April 2015 a new video was uploaded via Lewis' official YouTube account; it documents the recording process of "Fire Under My Feet". It also showed the photoshoot that took place for both the single and the album, while a snippet of "Fire Under My Feet" was also played during the video.[18] On 13 June 2015 Lewis performed "I Got You" and "Another Love Song" at the London G-A-Y nightclub.[19] The same day, she premiered "Essence of Me" at BBC Radio 2.[20]

The tracklist for the standard and deluxe edition were first revealed by Amazon.co.uk on 24 June 2015, while artwork for the deluxe edition was unveiled the following day. On 26 June 2015 Universal Music placed pre-orders for I Am on their official website. On 27 June 2015, the album was made available for pre-order on iTunes.[21] On August 13, 2015; "Another Love Song" was made available for purchase as a promotional single at several digital retailers, such as iTunes and 7digital.[22] "Power" was released as a promotional single in Germany on August 28, 2015.[23] It was later made available in all other countries on September 4, 2015.[24] The studio versions of "I Got You" and "Ladders" were premièred in full at BBC Radio 2 on September 1 and September 3, 2015, respectively.[24][25]

I Am Tour

On 11 September 2015, Leona announced her third headlining concert tour, the I Am Tour, to support the album, with an initial run of fourteen dates in Great Britain.[26]

Singles

The album's lead single, "Fire Under My Feet", was released on 7 June 2015. Written by Lewis and Toby Gad, the track peaked at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart following its release. In addition, it peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 100 Hot Dance charts.[27] "I Am" was released to the iTunes Store in the UK on 17 July 2015 as the second single in the UK. "Thunder" was released as the third official single from I Am on 24 July 2015 ; it also served as the lead release from the album in US markets. It impacted US adult contemporary radio on 27 July 2015.[28] "Thunder" was released as the third single in the UK ; it officially impacted UK radio on October 24, 2015.[29]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Digital Spy[30]
Idolator[31]
Knoxville News Sentinel[32]
London Evening Standard[33]

Writing for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four out of five stars, writing "Lewis seizes this fourth album to redefine her sound [throwing] herself into a buoyant bounce somewhat inspired by reigning British diva, Adele....The songs [on the album] are passionate and sharply crafted [...] resulting in her strongest compositions......and her best album yet".[1] Digital Spy author Lewis Corner found that "for all intents and purposes, I Am is Leona's break-up album. Having worked closely with Toby Gad, she has created a concentrated record with a solid voice throughout that positions her as songwriter with something to say. The mixture of both Leona's frustration and determination leave her more vulnerable than we've heard her before, but ultimately she comes through stronger than ever. Leona's got a different kind of Ex-Factor this time out, and it's working wonders."[30]

Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel noted that "Lewis sounds great on her new I Am, but the release is still something of a disappointment. Trouble is, it feels a bit obvious, and therefore a little hollow." He added that "Lewis sounds gutsy, as she always does, the production is crisp and the hooks are sharp – so there's no need for excessive complaining. It's just this phoenix-rising tale has been done to death, and her return is only a qualified triumph."[32] Idolator's Kathy Iandoli wrote that while the 10-track offering is full of beautiful music, it would be remiss to suggest I Am is full of hits. And that's where Leona's voice becomes an impediment." She felt that "I Am may be slightly flawed by design, but there are still many 'yaaasssss' moments, enough to make you hope her next go 'round doesn't take as long."[31] Less enthusiastic, London Evening Standard writer John Aizlewood felt that "I Am will doubtless be billed as a new start but it feels like an ending. [It] is defiantly more of the same and [Lewis is] as cautious as a learner driver on test day. Tinny, timid production makes I Am sound like it was recorded at home but Lewis's vocals are still anodyne cruise-ship fare and she still mistakes caterwauling for emotion."[33]

Commercial performance

Upon its chart debut, I Am failed to replicate the success of Lewis' previous albums. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number twelve on the UK Albums Chart, selling 8,500 copies in its first week of release, which represents a considerable drop from her previous non-traditional album, Glassheart (2012), which debuted at number three with 27,000 copies.[34]

Track listing

I Am  – Standard edition
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Thunder"  
Gad 3:43
2. "Fire Under My Feet"  
  • Lewis
  • Gad
Gad 3:35
3. "You Knew Me When"  Diane WarrenGad 3:40
4. "I Am"  
  • Gad
  • White
 3:42
5. "Ladders"  
  • Wilkins
  • Anyaeji
 3:26
6. "The Essence of Me"  
  • Lewis
  • Gad
Gad 3:41
7. "I Got You"  
  • Lewis
  • Gad
Gad 3:01
8. "Power"  
  • Lewis
  • Gad
  • James Eliot
Eliot 3:19
9. "Another Love Song"  
 3:26
10. "Thank You"  
  • Lewis
  • Gad
  • Preven
Gad 4:02
Total length:
 35:35

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[35] 82
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[36] 34
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[37] 83
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[38] 44
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] 33
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[40] 49
Greek Albums (IFPI)[41] 75
Irish Albums (IRMA)[42] 22
Scottish Albums (OCC)[43] 11
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[44] 25
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 23
UK Albums (OCC)[46] 12
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[47] 8
US Billboard 200[48] 38
World Album Chart[49] 23

Release history

List of release dates, showing country, format, label, edition, and reference
Country Date Edition Format Label Ref.
Ireland 11 September 2015
  • Standard
  • deluxe
Island [50]
United Kingdom [21]
United States Def Jam [51]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (September 2015). "I Am - Leona Lewis | Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Rainbird, Ashleigh (15 February 2013). "Leona Lewis in 'amicable split' from her management company". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  3. ↑ Lanksy, Sam (8 July 2013). "Leona Lewis Plans Motown-Inspired Christmas Album". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  4. ↑ Corner, Lewis (4 July 2013). "Leona Lewis talks "Motown" Christmas album". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "BPI Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Christmas, with Love" (in German). Amazon (DE). 29 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "Leona Lewis to make movie debut in 'Holiday!' musical". Digital Spy. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Corner, Lewis (27 November 2013). "My next album has to be better". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 Carr, Kim (3 January 2014). "Leona Lewis is all smiles with her new album after leaving heartbreaking ballads behind". Daily Star (Northern & Shell). Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Leona Lewis leaves Simon Cowell's record label after 7 years for rival Universal's Island Records". Mirror.co.uk. 3 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Leona Lewis leaves Simon Cowell label, joins Island Records". Digital Spy. 3 June 2014.
  12. ↑ Love, Ryan (6 September 2014). "Leona Lewis discusses depression and Syco exit in open letter to fans". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Leona Lewis working with Black Eyed Peas producer for new album - Music News". Digital Spy. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "Leona Lewis previews new music ahead of 2015 comeback". Digital Spy. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Leona Lewis teases new album with studio footage - Music News - Digital Spy". M.digitalspy.co.uk. 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  16. ↑ Corner, Lewis (15 April 2015). "Leona Lewis's new album: Why you should be very excited for it". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Leona Lewis – I Am (Official Album Cover)". UrbanMusicHQ. Canada. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "Leona Lewis - I AM - Part 1". YouTube. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  19. ↑ Corner, Lewis (15 June 2015). "Watch Leona Lewis perform two uptempo new songs live at G-A-Y". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  20. ↑ Lee, Christina (13 June 2015). "Leona Lewis Debuts "Essence Of Me": Listen". Idolator. United States: SpinMedia. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  21. 1 2 Release of I Am in the United Kingdom:
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ "Power: Leona Lewis: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  24. 1 2 Nick Barnes (2015-09-04). "Leona Lewis debuts ANOTHER track from her new album titled 'Power' - LISTEN! | Unreality TVUnreality TV". Unrealitytv.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  25. ↑ Nick Barnes (2015-09-01). "Leona Lewis debuts flawless new track 'I Got You'Unreality TV". Unrealitytv.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  26. ↑ "Leona Lewis announces February/March 2016 'I Am Tour' - TICKETS | Key 103 - Number 1 for Manchester. Your Music, Your Life". Key 103. 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  27. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. The Official UK Charts Company. 14 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  28. ↑ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". Allaccess.com. United States: All Access Music Group. 27 July 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  29. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20151022232524/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/playlist#c
  30. 1 2 Corner, Lewis (6 September 2015). "Leona Lewis's new album I Am reviewed: A different kind of Ex-Factor". London: Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  31. 1 2 Iandoli, Kathy (11 September 2015). "Leona Lewis' 'I Am': Album Review". Idolator. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  32. 1 2 Campbell, Chuck (8 September 2015). "Tuned In review: Leona Lewis' return with I Am feels rote". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  33. 1 2 Aizlewood, John (21 August 2015). "Leona Lewis - I Am, album review: 'feels like an ending'". London Evening Standard (London). Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  34. ↑ Sexton, Paul (22 October 2012). "Jake Bugg Tops Mumford, Leona Lewis on U.K. Albums Chart". Billboard. London, UK. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  35. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (19 September 2015). "ARIA Albums: Bring Me the Horizon 'That's the Spirit' Debuts At One in Australia". Noise11. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  36. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Leona Lewis – I Am" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  37. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Leona Lewis – I Am" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  38. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Leona Lewis – I Am" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  39. ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  40. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Leona Lewis – I Am" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  41. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts - Top-75 Albums Sales Chart - Week: 38/2015". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  42. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 38, 2015". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  43. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  44. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Leona Lewis – I Am". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  45. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Leona Lewis – I Am". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  46. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  47. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  48. ↑ "Leona Lewis – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Leona Lewis. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  49. ↑ Worldalbum.
  50. ↑ Release of I Am in Ireland:
  51. ↑ Release of I Am in the United States:
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