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Lianne La Havas (album)

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Lianne La Havas
Studio album by
Lianne La Havas
Released17 July 2020 (2020-07-17)
Label
ProducerLianne La Havas, Matt Hales
Lianne La Havas chronology
Blood
(2015) 		Lianne La Havas
(2020)
Singles from Lianne La Havas
  1. "Bittersweet"
    Released: 25 February 2020
  2. "Paper Thin"
    Released: 4 May 2020

Lianne La Havas is the self-titled third studio album by English singer Lianne La Havas. The album is due to be released on 17 July 2020.[1]

Background

Following the release of La Havas' second studio album Blood (2015), La Havas continued on an extensive touring trip as well as embarking on a new relationship, these led Havas to begin what would be a five year hiatus from music. The relationships demise would go on to inspired La Havas to begin work on the follow up to Blood. La Havas wanted a greater artistic input for the album and wanted to be in control of the albums style and direction.[2] La Havas did not know what direction the album would initially take and "tapped into the best and worst parts" to help inform it.[2] She described the albums writing as being "driven by emotion" and at the time being the closest she had gotten to "pure" artistic expression.[2]

The albums process took Havas five years, something she had not planned for, stating "to make a complete piece of work that meant something that had a story just took a little bit of time”.[3] The album's theme was inspired by the life cycle of nature and plants. Havas wanted the album to follow the journey of seasonal flower, one that "blooms, thrives, goes away, and comes back even stronger. A flower has to dry up and die in order to be reborn. You have to get to the rock bottom to rebuild yourself."[4] The relationship and its break-up became the main theme of albums lyrical content, which follows a journey of three vignette's.[5] The first describes the early and joyous period a new relationship, the second focuses on the demise of the relationship whilst the third revolves around the enjoyment and loneliness of being independent.[5]

Writing and recording

Milton Nascimento, was one of numerous artists to inspire La Havas during the albums writing process.

The album was written after Havas' breakup from her partner, with La Havas stating, “I can’t write when I’m in the thick of it. I think I’ve got to calm down a little bit.”[5] The albums writing sessions happened sporadically over a ten month period.[5] The writing sessions took place between the United Kingdom and the United States and were inspired by a variety of artists including Milton Nascimento, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorious, Al Green, and Destiny’s Child harmonies and themes of empowerment.[6][7]

Recording of the album was not initially planned.[6] Following La Havas' performance at the Glastonbury festival in June 2019, La Havas and her band went to the studio to work on a live version of Radiohead’s ‘Weird Fishes’.[6] La Havas enjoyed the session and wanted her third album to be recorded in a similar way. By October 2019, La Havas had written all ten tracks and by December the albums recording had been completed.[6] The recording sessions took place in London, Bath and New York. The albums production was handled by long-term collaborator Matt Hales, co-producer Beni Giles, and guest co-producer Mura Masa.[6]

"Paper Thin", started from a dream in which Havas could hear a melody and the songs to be opening lyrics.[5] The song was later recorded at Homer Steinweiss' New York studio, the songs minimalist production inspired Havas and informed the sound and style of the album.[8]

Composition

The albums digital version features twelve tracks, whilst the albums physical version features ten. The album is made up of three vignette's, with each one focusing on a particular moment during La Havas past relationship.[5] The albums opening song "Bittersweet" is a soul song that features piano chords and subtle guitar lines.[9] The song does not sit within the three vignette's but was described by La Havas as an "overview" of the albums themes.[10] The first of the three vignette's touches upon the early infatuation phase of a relationship and is introduced in the second song "Read My Mind".

Release and promotion

To promote the album Havas' did multiple live performances. In late February La Havas sang at the Barbican in London alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Jules Buckley.[11] In early May, La Havas performed from home at "NPR‘s “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert” series. The homemade video featured La Havas accompanied by her string guitar whilst performing “Bittersweet” and "Paper Thin".[12]

The album's lead single "Bittersweet" was released on 25 February 2020.[13] La Havas released "Paper Thin" on 4 May 2020, the same day that the album was announced.

Track listing

Lianne La Havas – CD and vinyl version[14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bittersweet"
  • Beni Giles
  • La Havas
  • Hales
 
2."Read My Mind"   
3."Green Papaya"   
4."Can't Fight"  3:10
5."Paper Thin"
  • La Havas
  • Hales
  • Homer Steinweiss
  • Joe Harrison
  • La Havas
4:58
6."Weird Fishes"   
7."Please Don't Make Me Cry"   
8."Seven Times"   
9."Courage"   
10."Soul Flower"   
Lianne La Havas – Digital version[15]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bittersweet" (Full Length)
  • La Havas
  • Hales
  • Ervin, Jr.
  • Hayes
  • Love
  • Giles
  • La Havas
  • Hales
 
2."Read My Mind"   
3."Green Papaya"   
4."Can't Fight"  3:10
5."Paper Thin"  4:58
6."Out of Your Mind" (interlude)   
7."Weird Fishes"   
8."Please Don't Make Me Cry"   
9."Seven Times"   
10."Courage"   
11."Soul Flower"   
12."Bittersweet"
  • La Havas
  • Hales
  • Ervin, Jr.
  • Hayes
  • Love
  • Giles
  • La Havas
  • Hales
3:56

Notes

  • "Bittersweet" contains a sample of "Medley: "Ike's Rap III" / "Your Love is So Doggone Good" performed by Isaac Hayes

Release history

Region Date Format Edition Label Ref
Worldwide 17 July 2020
  • Standard
  • Digital
 Warner Bros. [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Lianne La Havas CD - Lianne La Havas". Warner Music Group.
  2. ^ a b c "Lianne La Havas shares stirring new track 'Paper Thin'". Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  3. ^ https://www.nme.com/news/music/lianne-la-havas-announces-self-titled-album-shares-single-paper-thin-2659551
  4. ^ https://www.clashmusic.com/news/lianne-la-havas-confirms-new-album
  5. ^ a b c d e f "'I embraced the chance to have a rest': the return of Lianne La Havas". Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Lianne La Havas - Piccadillyrecords". Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Lianne La Havas - nonesuch". Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  8. ^ https://thedigitalwise.com/2020/05/06/lianne-la-havas-announces-new-album-after-a-break-of-5-years/
  9. ^ https://colorsxstudios.com/shows/lianne-la-havas-bittersweet/
  10. ^ https://www.nonesuch.com/journal/listen-lianne-la-havas-talks-bittersweet-genius-2020-05-07
  11. ^ "La Havas returns".
  12. ^ "Lianne La Havas Performs New Single "Paper Thin" On 'Tiny Desk (Home) Concert'".
  13. ^ "iTunes - Bittersweet - Single by Lianne La Havas". iTunes Store.
  14. ^ "Lianne La Havas Exclusive Clear Vinyl + CD - Lianne La Havas". Warner Music Group.
  15. ^ "iTunes - Music - Lianne La Havas by Lianne La Havas". iTunes Store.
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