Pages (Shaznay Lewis album)

Pages is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Shaznay Lewis, released through her independent record label 1.9.7.5 Recordings on 17 May 2024. It is Lewis' first album in 20 years and features collaborations with Self Esteem, Shola Ama and General Levy. Lewis launched the album with her first solo headlining show at The Jazz Cafe on 14 May 2024.

Pages
Studio album by
Released17 May 2024 (2024-05-17)
Genre
Length46:45
Label1.9.7.5
Producer
Shaznay Lewis chronology
Open
(2004)
Pages
(2024)
Singles from Pages
  1. "Miracle"
    Released: 12 January 2024
  2. "Kiss of Life"
    Released: 1 February 2024
  3. "Good Mourning"
    Released: 12 April 2024
  4. "Got to Let Go"
    Released: 3 May 2024

Release and promotion

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Lewis partnered with Absolute Label Services for the manufacturing and distribution of Pages.[2] On 29 January 2024, the album was made available for pre-order on CD, and limited edition white vinyl and cassette tape formats.[3][4] A CD with an art card signed by Lewis was made available exclusively on Amazon.[5] A signed test pressing, and various bundles with T-shirts and signed prints were sold on Lewis' webstore.[6] To promote Pages, Lewis appeared on Sunday Brunch on 4 February.[2] On 11 February, she performed "Kiss of Life" with the BBC Concert Orchestra in BBC Radio 2's Piano Room.[7] On 30 April, Lewis appeared on The One Show.[8] Lewis launched the album with a headlining show at The Jazz Cafe in Camden Town on 14 May.[2] She is scheduled to play Nocturne Live,[9] Mighty Hoopla and Glastonbury Festival in June,[2][10] and Party in the Park in September.[2]

Singles

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The lead single "Miracle" was released on 12 January 2024.[11] It entered the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 80.[12] "Kiss of Life" was released on 1 February as the second single, accompanied by a music video directed by Oscar J Ryan.[3] The single peaked at number 84 on UK Singles Downloads Chart.[13] On 12 April, "Good Mourning" featuring Shola Ama and General Levy was released as the third single alongside a music video directed by Ryan.[14] "Got to Let Go" was released as the fourth single on 3 May.[15]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Classic Pop     [16]
The Line of Best Fit9/10[1]
The Observer     [17]
The Scotsman     [18]

In his review for The Line of Best Fit, Quentin Harrison praised Lewis' energetic singing technique and bravura, and believed Pages contained "strong songs rife with all sorts of compositional details worth discovering". Harrison applauded Lewis' observational songwriting, and the sociopolitical commentary in the songs "Peaches" and "Awake (Motu)" which he felt promoted unity among African diaspora.[1] John Earls of Classic Pop magazine said Lewis thrived as soloist on an album that exuded confidence and eclecticism, calling it "12 further reminders of her varied skills within most forms of pop."[16] The Observer's Tara Joshi wrote that although "a little clunky in places", the album is "a mostly sumptuous set of turn-of-the-millennium-style pop".[17]

Track listing

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Pages track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Missiles"
  • Shaznay Lewis
  • Ben Cullum
  • Plamen Vasilev
  • Moyses Dos Santos
  • Charlie Stacy
Cullum3:55
2."Pick You Up" (featuring Self Esteem)
Hugo4:24
3."Kiss of Life"
Whiting2:57
4."Good Mourning" (featuring Shola Ama and General Levy)
Angelo4:00
5."Supposed to Be"Ashurst4:04
6."Got to Let Go"
  • Lewis
  • Ashurst
Ashurst3:58
7."Tears to the Floor"
  • Lewis
  • Cullum
Cullum3:13
8."Bruises"
  • Lewis
  • Cullum
Cullum4:48
9."Peaches"
  • Lewis
  • Whiting
  • Phillips
Whiting3:30
10."Awake (Motu)"
  • Lewis
  • Hugo
Hugo4:14
11."Miracle"
  • Lewis
  • Phillips
  • Whiting
Whiting3:30
12."Hearts in Danger"
  • Lewis
  • Cullum
  • Rocky Morris
  • Rufio Sandilands
Cullum4:12
Total length:46:45
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Never Ever" (Reimagined)
  • Lewis
  • Robert Jazayeri
  • Sean Mather
4:48
14."Pure Shores" (Reimagined)5:12
Total length:56:05

Charts

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Chart performance for Pages
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[19] 23
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[20] 13
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[21] 9

Release history

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Release history for Pages
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 17 May 2024 1.9.7.5 [22][6][23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Harrison, Quentin (17 May 2024). "Shaznay Lewis: Pages Review - refine renew". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Paine, Andre (21 March 2024). "Shaznay Lewis teams with Absolute Label Services for solo album". Music Week. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b Biggane, Dan (1 February 2024). "Shaznay Lewis announces new solo album and single". Classic Pop. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. ^ Lewis, Shaznay [@ShaznayOfficial] (29 January 2024). "Pages 17.05.24 🤍 20 years since my first solo album was released and here we are again… I cannot wait for this album to be yours 🖤 Available on CD and limited edition White Vinyl and White Cassette Pre-order Pages now xxx" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 May 2024 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Pages (Amazon Signed Exclusive) by Shaznay Lewis". Amazon. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Shaznay Lewis Official Store". shaznaylewis.tmstor.es. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. ^ "BBC Radio 2 - Radio 2's Piano Room, Shaznay Lewis". BBC. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ "BBC One - The One Show". BBC. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  9. ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (8 December 2023). "Pop girlies rejoice! Sugababes, Melanie C and All Saints' Shaznay Lewis to perform at Nocturne Live 2024". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  10. ^ Hughes, Amy (8 May 2024). "Glastonbury 2024: More Details, More Stages, More Music at Worthy Farm". Q. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  11. ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (12 January 2024). "Shaznay Lewis of All Saints shares her first solo single in two decades, 'Miracle'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Shaznay Lewis - Miracle". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Shaznay Lewis - Kiss of Life". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  14. ^ Keith, James (12 April 2024). "Premiere: Shaznay Lewis Drafts Shola Ama And General Levy For 'Good Mourning'". Complex. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Got To Let Go, Shaznay Lewis". Qobuz. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  16. ^ a b Earls, John (April 2024). "Shaznay Lewis". Classic Pop. p. 90.
  17. ^ a b Joshi, Tara (17 May 2024). "Shaznay Lewis: Pages review – All Saints star returns with polished second solo album". The Observer. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  18. ^ Shepherd, Fiona (9 May 2024). "Album reviews: Arab Strap | Shaznay Lewis | LYLO". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Pages, Shaznay Lewis". Qobuz. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Pages - Album by Shaznay Lewis". Apple Music. Retrieved 15 May 2024.