History of a Feeling is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madi Diaz, released on August 27, 2021, through Anti-. Diaz co-produced the album with Andrew Sarlo, which follows seven years after her previous studio album, Phantom (2014). It received positive reviews from critics.

History of a Feeling
Madi Diaz looking at the camera with her hands in front of her mouth
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 27, 2021 (2021-08-27)
GenreIndie rock
Length38:15
LabelAnti-
Producer
Madi Diaz studio album chronology
Phantom
(2014)
History of a Feeling
(2021)
Weird Faith
(2024)

Background

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Diaz began writing the album in 2018 after a break-up.[1]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic80/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
Mojo     [4]
Pitchfork7.5/10[5]
Uncut8/10[6]
Under the Radar7.5/10[1]

History of a Feeling received a score of 80 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on five critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[2] Mojo called it "gorgeous and achingly candid",[4] while Uncut felt that "Diaz deftly carries the torch, fusing stripped-down, bleeding-heart acoustic meditations with bursts of fiery instrumentation, her glossy voice at once tender and insistent, rhythmically narrating her loveworn journey with precise, clever turns of phrase".[6] Marcy Donelson of AllMusic characterized it as a "notably personal and forthright set of songs" that concern "a painful breakup, issues of identity surrounding the transitioning of her former partner, and even the centering of the events, which tended to relegate Diaz to a bystander role".[3]

Reviewing the album for Pitchfork, Shaad D'Souza described it as "a spare, unvarnished, and occasionally volatile style of indie rock that feels in step with the newly sharpened edge to her lyricism", with D'Souza writing that each song is "driven by a strong, indelible vocal melody memorable and polished enough to sit on a far more commercial record".[5] Under the Radar's Caleb Campbell found it to be "unrepentantly dramatic and gorgeously messy" and "a concerted exorcism of all of Diaz's rage, resentment, and sadness".[1]

Track listing

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History of a Feeling track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Rage"1:49
2."Man in Me"
4:48
3."Crying in Public"
4:00
4."Resentment"
  • Diaz
  • Floyd
  • Wrabel
2:53
5."Think of Me"
3:30
6."Woman in My Heart"2:59
7."Nervous"2:46
8."Forever"4:38
9."History of a Feeling"3:19
10."New Person, Old Place"
4:06
11."Do It Now"
  • Diaz
  • Kritzstein
3:27
Total length:38:15

Charts

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Chart performance for History of a Feeling
Chart (2021) Peak
position
UK Americana Albums (OCC)[7] 32

References

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  1. ^ a b c Campbell, Caleb (September 7, 2021). "Madi Diaz: History of a Feeling (Anti-)". Under the Radar. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "History of a Feeling by Madi Diaz Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Madi Diaz – History of a Feeling Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Madi Diaz – History of a Feeling". Mojo. November 2021. p. 93.
  5. ^ a b D'Souza, Shaad (September 1, 2021). "Madi Diaz: History of a Feeling Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Madi Diaz – History of a Feeling". Uncut. September 2021. p. 27.
  7. ^ "Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 10, 2024.