"Angel" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter Halle. The song was released on August 4, 2023, as the lead single from her upcoming debut studio album.[1][2] The song was nominated at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song.[3]
| "Angel" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Halle | ||||
| Released | August 4, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:39 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Feemster | |||
| Halle singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Angel" on YouTube | ||||
Background and release edit
Halle first teased her solo song on December 31, 2022, for Genius.com through her Instagram Stories. She posted a clip from the studio, where she sang along to the dreamy instrumental on the track.[4] On July 31, 2023, Halle posted a short clip for “Angel” to her YouTube channel and social media, which featured a montage of childhood home videos and clips of recent solo performances set to the track's instrumental. The teaser closed with the quote, “Angels make a way somehow.”[5][6]
Composition edit
The song was produced by Theron “NeffU” Feemster and features R&B and gospel sounds.[7] Halle explained the meaning of the song and its writing process:[8]
"With everything I’ve gone through the past 3-4 years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was. This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and Black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song".
Reception edit
"Angel" was met with critical acclaim. Clash's writer Robin Murray defined the song as a "gorgeous R&B ballad" with "emotive piece of music", making "full use of her incredible voice with its subtle rises, and stunning falls".[9] Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx wrote that the singer "reflects on growing up in the spotlight", singing "over a piano-and-string-driven ballad" in which "she rises above the heartache, and encourages others to follow".[10]
In a review of the song, HotNewHipHop found that "Neffu’s bridges together Halle’s powerful vocal performance with ghostly harps, setting up the song for a steely build-up that emotionally unloads at its peak", pointing out that it focused "more insight into her personality" and showed "where she and her sister, Chloe, differ musically" [11] Shelby Stewart of Essence wrote that the production of the song infused "R&B and gospel with cinematic elements" defining the singer's vocals "mesmerizing", which "passionately delivers lyrics". The writer described the song as "an anthem to affirm women and a note to self that her work matters, and holds value".[7]
Music video edit
The music video for "Angel”, directed by Wendy Morgan, premiered via the singer YouTube channel on YouTube at the same time of the song's release.[12][13]
Charts edit
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Israel (Media Forest)[14] | 16 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 13 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] | 21 |
| US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] | 23 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs (Billboard)[18] | 6 |
References edit
- ^ Helfand, Raphael (4 August 2023). "Listen to Halle Bailey's debut solo single". The Fader. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (3 August 2023). "Halle Bailey to release her debut solo single 'Angel' this week". NME. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Grammy Awards 2024: The Full List of Nominees". The New York Times. 10 November 2023. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ^ Olson, Samantha (4 August 2023). "Halle Details the Beauty of Growing Up as a Black Girl in Her First Solo Song, "Angel"". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Denis, Kyle (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Unveils Debut Solo Single 'Angel': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (1 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Teases New 'Angel' Project". Clash. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b Stewart, Shelby (4 August 2023). "Rising Star Halle Bailey Releases Debut Solo Single 'Angel'". Essence. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Delgado, Sara; McNab, Kaitlyn (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Makes Her Solo Debut With Uplifting Single "Angel"". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Shares Moving Solo Debut 'Angel' | News". Clash. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Shares 'Angel,' Her Debut Solo Single". UPROXX. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Halle Unveils New Solo Single "Angel"". HotNewHipHop. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Pierre, Mekishana (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Releases Heavenly Music Video for Empowering Debut Solo Single 'Angel'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Rizzo, Carita (4 August 2023). "Watch Halle Bailey's Heavenly Video for Debut Solo Single 'Angel'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Media Forest charts". Media Forest. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Halle Bailey Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Halle Bailey Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales: Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 15 September 2023.