Dancing Shadows
{{Infobox album
| name = Dancing Shadows
| type = studio
| artist = Mario
| cover = Mariodancingshadows.jpg
| border = yes
| alt = A close up of Mario's face showing a bright shadow on it
| released = {{start date|2018|10|5}}
| recorded = 2016–2017
| studio =
- Amerycan Studios in Los Angeles
- FRQNCY Studios in London
- Sticky Studios in Surrey
| genre =
| length = 37:38
| label =
- New Citizen
- Empire
| producer =
- Jake Gosling
- Mario
- Daecolm
- J Warner
- P2J
- Pham
- Ryan McDermott
- xSDTRK
| prev_title = D.N.A.
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = Closer to Mars
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Dancing Shadows
| type = studio
| single1 = Drowning
| single1date = July 20, 2018
| single2 = Dancing Shadows
| single2date = September 14, 2018
| single3 = Care for You
| single3date = March 15, 2019
}}
}}
Dancing Shadows is the fifth studio album from American singer and songwriter Mario, released on October 5, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dancing-shadows/1435843156|title=Dancing Shadows by Mario|website=iTunes Store|date=October 5, 2018}} The release of the album marks the first under the singer's own imprint New Citizen Music, in partnership with EMPIRE Distribution.{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/mario-new-single-drowning-album-dancing-shadows-interview/|title=Mario Returns With New Single Drowning And Album On The Horizon 'Dancing Shadows' – Essence|work=Essence}}{{cite web|url=http://www.okayplayer.com/music/mario-interview-drowning-video.html|title=Mario Announces First Album in Almost 10 Years, Talks New Music and the State of R&B [INTERVIEW]|work=Okayplayer|date=July 20, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2018/7/24/marios-new-album-inspired-by-his-fascination-with-shadows.html|title=Mario's new album inspired by his fascination with shadows – Music News|website=ABC News Radio}} Dancing Shadows is the first project by the singer that features his own songwriting on every track.{{cite web | url=https://youknowigotsoul.com/mario-interview-2020-version-of-let-me-love-you-working-with-scott-storch-reflecting-on-discography | title=Mario Talks 2020 Version of "Let Me Love You", Working with Scott Storch & Reflecting on Discography (Exclusive Interview) }}
The album serves as a follow-up to his fourth album D.N.A. (2009) and his first studio effort in almost a decade. It was executive produced by Mario and English producer Jake Gosling, with additional producers xSDTRK, Daecolm, Pham, J Warner, P2J and Ryan McDermott.
The album's lead single, "Drowning" was released on July 20, 2018, along with the accompanying music video, while the second single, "Dancing Shadows" was released on September 14, 2018, and also includes an accompanying music video.{{cite web|url=http://weuponithiphop.info/2018/09/16/music-video-mario-dancing-shadows/|title=MUSIC VIDEO: MARIO – DANCING SHADOWS|date=September 16, 2018|website=WeUpOnItHipHop.com}}
The album failed to chart on the US Billboard 200. To further promote the album, Mario appeared as an opening act for B2K on The Millennium Tour.
Background and development
In August 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the shutdown, Mario, and all other artists previously signed to these three labels, will release his future albums on the RCA Records label.Christman, Ed. (2011-08-23) [http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs (Update)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326023401/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story |date=2012-03-26 }}. Billboard.biz. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.[http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707 Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108044953/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707 |date=2011-11-08 }}. FMQB. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
During his appearance on BET's 106 & Park on July 10, 2013, to premiere, the video for "Somebody Else", Mario stated that he felt the album recorded with Rico Love did not feel part of his career plan and that he scrapped that album and went on to record his then-titled album Evolve, which was set to be released on September 17, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://singersroom.com/content/2013-07-17/mario-reveals-restoration-album-release-date/|title=Mario Reveals 'Restoration' Album Release Date|author=Njai Joszor|date=July 17, 2013|work=Singersroom}} The album was not released, and Mario left RCA Records in 2015.
In mid-2015, Mario announced that he has reunited with Scott Storch, who produced his 2004 hit "Let Me Love You", on a new album, titled Never 2 Late for a song called "Enemy", that ended up being finished by Chris Brown and published on his album Heartbreak on a Full Moon. Never 2 Late was scheduled to be released on November 27, 2015, but was pushed to December 4, 2015, but the album was not released.{{cite web|url=https://bossip.com/1271596/bossip-exclusive-singer-mario-in-court-battle-over-unreleased-comeback-album/|author=Bossip Staff|title=BOSSIP Exclusive: Singer Mario In Court Battle Over Unreleased Comeback Album|date=January 13, 2016|work=Bossip}}
On May 6, 2016, Mario premiered and released the single "I Need More".{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-need-more-single/1108101137|title=I Need More - Single by Mario|website=iTunes Store|date=May 6, 2016}} On December 13, 2016, he released the single "Let Me Help You".{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-me-help-you-single/1185151425|title=Let Me Help You - Single by Mario|website=iTunes Store|date=December 13, 2016}} On June 16, 2017, he released the single "Pain is the New Pleasure".[https://music.apple.com/us/album/pain-is-the-new-pleasure-single/1247689528 Mario - Pain is the New Pleasure on iTunes] A remixed version of "Let Me Help You" featuring Jamaican recording artist Konshens was released on August 18, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-me-help-you-remix-feat-konshens-single/1266448221|title=Let Me Help You (Remix) [feat. Konshens] - Single by Mario|website=iTunes Store|date=August 18, 2017}}
In mid-2018, Mario spoke with the FunX radio station during the Oh My! Music Festival in June 2018, announcing that the album's final title was Dancing Shadows and would be released later in 2018 with a new single called "Drowning": "We changed the name of it. Making an album is like giving birth to something. You go through different names and different vibes."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO-jqTStOaE|title=Mario: I would never make a second Let Me Love You|last=FunX Gemist|date=30 June 2018|publisher=|accessdate=11 July 2018|via=YouTube}}
Following the release of the second single, "Dancing Shadows", and its accompanying music video, the album's cover art, release date and tracklist were revealed.{{cite web|url=https://singersroom.com/content/2018-09-15/mario-dancing-shadows/amp/|title=Mario Reveals Release Date For New Album, 'Dancing Shadows' + Drops Video For Title Track|work=Singersroom|date=15 September 2018 }}
Singles
"Drowning", was released on July 20, 2018, as the album's first single and was accompanied by its music video. The song has peaked at number 30 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart and later peaked at number 28.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mario/chart-history/rba/|title=Mario Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)|magazine=Billboard}}
The title track "Dancing Shadows" was issued as the album's second single on September 14, 2018, alongside its music video.{{cite web|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/new-music-mario-dancing-shadows/amp|title=New Music: Mario - Dancing Shadows - YouKnowIGotSoul.com|website=youknowigotsoul.com}}
"Care for You" was released alongside its music video on March 15, 2019, as the third single from the album.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/care-for-you-single/1454874705|title=Care for You - Single by Mario|website=iTunes Store|access-date=March 15, 2018}} The music video was directed by Khufu Najee.
The music video for the track "Goes Like That" premiered on October 4, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/video/bet-jams/2018/music-videos/mario-goes-like-that.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004230046/https://www.bet.com/video/bet-jams/2018/music-videos/mario-goes-like-that.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2018|title=BET Jams: WORLD PREMIERE: Mario - "Goes Like That"|work=BET.com}} The remix version by GXNXVS was released on August 2, 2019.{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/mirror-x-goes-like-that-remixes-single/1474712974 | title=Mirror x Goes Like That (Remixes) - Single by Mario }}
Critical reception
HotNewHipHop noted that Dancing Shadows finds himself in a convalescent mood, though at this seems obvious that at this point, Mario is more at ease in a dimmer spotlight hanging over his head." The website called the album a "surprisingly cohesive comeback attempt, very much the work of a wizened individual who writes on his vision board each morning."{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/119594-mario-returns-with-dancing-shadows-after-a-decade-of-misdirection-new-mixtape|title=Mario Returns With "Dancing Shadows" After A Decade Of Misdirection|website=HotNewHipHop|date=September 26, 2022|accessdate=October 11, 2024}}
Track listing
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal.
Mario. “Dancing Shadows” (Album Notes). New Citizen, EMPIRE. 2018.{{cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/94862530|title=Dancing Shadows / Mario|website=Tidal|accessdate=January 9, 2019}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Dancing Shadows track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 37:38
| title1 = Drowning
| writer1 = {{hlist|Mario Barrett|Daecolm Diego Holland|Jake Gosling|Milton Adams II|Yonatan Ayal}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|xSDTRK|Daecolm|Mario{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length1 = 3:38
| title2 = Too Many Options
| writer2 = {{hlist|Barrett|Brandon Lloyd Hesson|Dawid Pham Ngoc|Gosling|Adams II}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|Pham|Mario{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length2 = 3:33
| title3 = Dancing Shadows
| writer3 = {{hlist|Barrett|Ngoc|Sean Fenton|Gosling}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Pham|Mario|Gosling{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length3 = 3:00
| title4 = Mirror
| writer4 = {{hlist|Barrett|Ariowa Ogheneochuko Kennedy Irosogie|Richard Isong}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|P2J|Mario|Gosling{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length4 = 3:21
| title5 = Gold Plates
| writer5 = {{hlist|Barrett|Daniel Adekugbe|Ngoc|Jackson Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling|Nathaniel James Warner}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|J Warner|Gosling{{ref|a|[a]}}|Pham{{ref|a|[a]}}|Mario{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length5 = 3:01
| title6 = Good Times
| note6 = featuring Buddy Guy
| writer6 = {{hlist|Barrett|Bianca Atterberry|Holland|George Guy|Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling|Fenton|Tshiswaka Kayembe}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Daecolm|Gosling{{ref|a|[a]}}|Mario{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length6 = 3:11
| title7 = What You Started
| writer7 = {{hlist|Barrett|Carla Marie Williams|Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Gosling|Mario{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length7 = 4:23
| title8 = One Man Woman
| writer8 = {{hlist|Barrett|Felisha King|Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Gosling|Mario{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length8 = 3:13
| title9 = Care for You
| writer9 = {{hlist|Barrett|King|Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling}}
| extra9 = Gosling
| length9 = 3:32
| title10 = Goes Like That
| writer10 = {{hlist|Barrett|Guordan Banks|Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Gosling|Mario{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length10 = 3:26
| title11 = I Believe
| writer11 = {{hlist|Barrett|Dimiglio-Wood|Gosling|Ryan McDermott}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|McDermott|Gosling|Mario}}
| length11 = 3:20
}}
Notes
- {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
- {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional producer
- "Good Times" originally didn't feature credited vocals by Buddy Guy.
- "One Man Woman" features background vocals from Felicia Fury.
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for Dancing Shadows ! Chart (2018) ! Peak |
| scope="row"| US R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2018-10-20/randb-hip-hop-album-sales|title=R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 11, 2019}}
| 41 |
|---|
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for Dancing Shadows ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | Various
| October 5, 2018 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="3"| {{hlist|New Citizen|EMPIRE}} |
|---|
| November 16, 2018
| CD |
| January 25, 2019
| Vinyl |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Mario}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Mario (American singer) albums
Category:Albums produced by Jake Gosling