Places (Lea Michele album)

Places is the second studio album by American singer Lea Michele. It was released on April 28, 2017, by Columbia Records. The album was preceded by the lead single, "Love Is Alive".

Places
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Recorded2015–2016
StudioHarmony Studios[1]
Genre
Length39:53
LanguageEnglish
LabelColumbia
Producer
Lea Michele chronology
Louder
(2014)
Places
(2017)
Christmas in the City
(2019)
Singles from Places
  1. "Love Is Alive"
    Released: March 3, 2017
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

Places received mixed reviews from critics, though Michele's vocal performance received a positive reception. In the United States, the album sold over 16,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 28 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 37 on the UK Albums Chart. In Canada, the album reached number 21 in its first week of release. As well as the first single "Love Is Alive", three promotional singles were also released in the lead up to the album. Songwriters who feature on the album include singers Ellie Goulding, Linda Perry, Allie X, and Alexandra Savior.

Background

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Recording for Michele's second studio album began in April 2015.[4] Shortly into the recording process, Michele stated that the album would be less pop-influenced than her debut, and would "[go] back to [her] roots" with a more theatrical sound.[5]

On January 11, 2017, Michele announced on social media that she would go on a mini tour in later that same month to promote her second album. She wrote, "My incredible fans have always been there for me. You inspire me. You've stood by me, cheered me on and lifted me up. When preparing for [this] upcoming album I wanted you all to know how important you are to me. These shows are a sneak peek into my upcoming album, as well as songs from Louder and maybe.. even a little Glee."[6] An Intimate Evening with Lea Michele consisted of three shows in Los Angeles, New York and Santa Monica, which began on January 23 at the Hotel Café, and ended on January 30 at the Broad Stage.[7] On January 26, 2017, while Michele was in the middle of her mini tour, it was announced the second album would be titled Places. The title references the showtime call of "places" when working in live theater.[8]

Singles

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"Love Is Alive" was released as the album's lead single on March 3, 2017.[9]

Commercial performance

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In the United States, the album debuted at number 28 on the Billboard 200 with over 16,000 copies sold in its first week.[10]

Track listing

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Places – Standard edition[11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Love Is Alive"Xandy Barry3:37
2."Heavy Love"Barry3:40
3."Proud"Shanks3:00
4."Believer"Shatkin3:56
5."Run to You"Shanks3:38
6."Heavenly"Kyle Moorman3:45
7."Anything's Possible"Jon Levine3:47
8."Getaway Car"
  • Dana Parish
  • Andrew Hollander
  • Tamposi
Hollander3:30
9."Sentimental Memories"Shanks4:30
10."Tornado"Toby Gad3:23
11."Hey You"
Shanks3:07
Total length:39:53
Places Target and Japan bonus tracks[12][13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Truce"3:18
13."Letting Go"
  • Angelides
  • Michele
  • Tamposi
  • Molly Morgenstern
  • Olivier Geoffroy
3:13
Total length:46:24

Personnel

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Adapted from AllMusic.[14]

Technical

  • John Shanks – keyboards, piano, electric guitar, bass, programming, engineering, producer
  • Xandy Barry – keyboards, guitar, drums, orchestral arranging, mixing, programming, engineering, producer
  • John Levine – keyboards, piano, bass, drum programming, engineering, producer
  • Kyle Moorman – guitar, percussion, digital editing, programming, engineering, producer
  • Jesse Shatkin – piano, bass, drums, synthesizer, programming, engineering, producer
  • Andrew Hollander – piano, drums, Mellotron, engineering, mixing, producer
  • Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards, piano, programming
  • Toby Gad – instrumentation, arranging, producer
  • Alexandra Tamposi – vocal producer, vocal percussion
  • Suzy Shinn – vocal engineering
  • Joe LaPorta – mastering
  • Joe Zook – mixing
  • Michael H. Brauer – mixing
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Chris Galland – mixing engineering
  • Steve Vealey – mixing assistant
  • Paul Lamalfa – engineering, digital editing
  • Sam Dent – engineering
  • Taylor Crommie – assistant engineering
  • Seth Olansky – assistant engineering
  • Chantal Kreviazuk – piano
  • Linda Perry – piano
  • Jon Sosin – guitar
  • Aaron Sterling – drums
  • Simon Huber – cello
  • Robin Florentine – assistant
  • Jeff Jackson – assistant

Charts

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Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[15] 25
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] 32
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] 68
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[18] 21
French Albums (SNEP)[19] 148
Irish Albums (IRMA)[20] 82
Italian Albums (FIMI)[21] 34
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[22] 2
Scottish Albums (OCC)[23] 31
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[24] 38
UK Albums (OCC)[25] 37
US Billboard 200[26] 28

References

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  1. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (January 26, 2017). "Lea Michele Emerges Reborn With 'Places' Album: 'F--- It If People Don't Like It' (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  2. ^ Hodgkinson, Will. "Pop: Lea Michele: Places". thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Places - Lea Michele | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  4. ^ Wass, Mike (April 15, 2015). "Rejoice! Lea Michele Has Started Recording Her Second Album". Idolator.
  5. ^ Smith, Briony (August 27, 2015). "October Cover Star Lea Michele Wants to Fix Your Life". Flare. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  6. ^ Wass, Mike (January 11, 2017). "Lea Michele Will Preview Her Sophomore LP With A Mini Tour". Idolator.
  7. ^ Benitz, Samantha (January 11, 2017). "Lea Michele Announces First Tour With Intimate Shows & New Music: See Dates". HollywoodLife.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  8. ^ Feeney, Nolan (January 26, 2017). "Lea Michele announces new album Places". Entertainment Weekly.
  9. ^ Chiu, Melody (March 1, 2017). "Lea Michele's New Single 'Love Is Alive' Off Her Upcoming Album Places". People. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  10. ^ Caufield, Keith (May 11, 2017). "Billboard 200 Chart Moves: John Mellencamp Earns 19th Top 40 Album With 'Sad Clowns & Hillbillies'". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  11. ^ "Places by Lea Michele on Apple Music". iTunes Store. United States: Apple Music. April 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "Lea Michele – Places (Target Exclusive + Autographed Booklet) Bundle". Target Corporation. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  13. ^ "Places Lea Michele CD Album". CDJapan. Japan. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  14. ^ "Places – Lea Michele – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  15. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Lea Michele – Places". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  16. ^ "Ultratop.be – Lea Michele – Places" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Lea Michele – Places" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  18. ^ "Lea Michele Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  19. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums – SNEP (Week 18, 2017)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  20. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Lea Michele". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  21. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Lea Michele – Places". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  22. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  23. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  24. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lea Michele – Places". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  25. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  26. ^ "Lea Michele Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
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