James is the second extended play by American singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan, released on October 27, 2017, by Columbia Records. It serves as the follow-up to her 2015 extended play, Mine (2015). The EP was preceded by the release of three singles, and was promoted by a tour span from late October to mid-November 2017.
Background and composition
James is a pop EP that bases its musical composition in 1980s-inspired synth-pop, modern electropop, and contemporary R&B. The album lyrically chronicles a relationship from beginning to end.
Promotion
Singles
- "Forgetting All About You" featuring American R&B singer, blackbear was released on August 4, 2017, as the lead single from the EP. It was supported by both a music video and a performance at the Billboard Hot 100 Festival.
- "Be Real" was released as the second single on September 8, 2017. A remix EP was released the same month.
- "James Has Changed" was released as the third and final single on October 6, 2017.
Tour
In addition to the three singles being promoted, Ryan also embarked on a tour in support of the extended play. The tour began on October 31, 2017, and concluded on November 14, 2017.
Critical reception
Mike Wass of Idolator gave the album a positive review; he praised Ryan for "[examining] matters of the heart with rare honesty and a razor-sharp wit. Each song leads effortlessly into the next, which is no easy feat considering that they explore wildly different sounds."
Track listing
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.
- Phoebe Ryan â lead vocals, songwriting
- Kyle Shearer â songwriting (tracks 1âÂÂ2), record engineering (tracks 1âÂÂ2)
- Nathaniel Campany â songwriting (tracks 1âÂÂ2)
- Valley Girl â production (tracks 1âÂÂ2)
- Joe Zook â mix engineering (track 1)
- Paul Hammond â engineer assistance (track 1)
- Mitch McCarthy â mix engineering (track 2)
- Justin Shturtz â master engineering
- Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young â mix engineering (tracks 3âÂÂ5)
- Lucas Nordqvist â songwriting (track 3)
- Jurek Reunamäki â songwriting (track 3)
- Frans Mernick â record engineering (track 3)
- Antti Hynninen â songwriting, production, record engineering (track 3)
- Joonas Laaksoharju â songwriting (track 4)
- Axel Ehnström â songwriting (track 4)
- Big Taste â songwriting, production (tracks 4âÂÂ5)
- Blackbear â featured artist, songwriting (track 5)
- Joseph Kirkland â songwriting (track 5)
- Jason Dean â songwriting (track 5)
References