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).[1] The EP was preceded by the release of three singles, and was promoted by a tour span from late October to mid-November 2017.

James
EP by
ReleasedOctober 27, 2017
Recorded2016–2017
Genre
Length17:26
LabelColumbia
Producer
Phoebe Ryan chronology
Mine
(2015)
James
(2017)
Singles from James
  1. "Forgetting All About You"
    Released: August 4, 2017
  2. "Be Real"
    Released: September 8, 2017
  3. "James Has Changed"
    Released: October 6, 2017

Background and composition

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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.[2]

Promotion

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Singles

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  • "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.[3]
  • "Be Real" was released as the second single on September 8, 2017.[4] A remix EP was released the same month.[5]
  • "James Has Changed" was released as the third and final single on October 6, 2017.[6]

Tour

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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.[7]

Critical reception

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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."[8]

Track listing

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Digital download[9]
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."Should I"
Valley Girl3:05
2."Be Real"
  • Ryan
  • Shearer
  • Campany
Valley Girl3:42
3."Aspirin"
  • Ryan
  • Lucas Nordqvist
  • Antti Hynninen
  • Jurek Reunamäki
Antti Hynninen3:57
4."James Has Changed"
Big Taste3:22
5."Forgetting All About You" (featuring blackbear)
Big Taste3:20
Total length:17:26

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Phoebe Ryan designs fall tour". AXS. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  2. ^ "The Drop: Your Guide To New Music Friday Featuring LAUV & Nicole Millar". idolator. 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  3. ^ Hudelson, Molly (2017-08-22). "PHOTOS: Phoebe Ryan gets things started at Billboard Hot 100 Festival". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  4. ^ "Phoebe Ryan Makes An Honest Plea On The Super Sparkling "Be Real"". The FADER. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  5. ^ "Phoebe Ryan's "Be Real" Gets A Massive NOTD Remix". idolator. 2017-09-21. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  6. ^ James Has Changed - Single by Phoebe Ryan, 2017-10-06, retrieved 2018-05-18
  7. ^ "Phoebe Holiday Ryan on Instagram: "Tour starts so soon. 💚 Philly 10.31 The Filmore NYC 11.1 Music Hall of Williamsburg DC 11.2 U Street Music Hall Boston 11.3 Brighton Music..."". Instagram. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  8. ^ "Phoebe Ryan On Her 'James' EP, Birdwatching & Britney Spears: Interview". idolator. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  9. ^ "James - EP by Phoebe Ryan on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  10. ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 2017-10-27.