Electronic Earth
{{Short description|2012 studio album by Labrinth}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Electronic Earth
| type = studio
| artist = Labrinth
| cover = ElectronicEarth.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2012|4|2|df=yes}}
| recorded = 2010–2012
| studio = Milmark Studios, London
| genre =
| length = 43:23
| label = Syco
| producer =
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
| next_title = Atomic
| next_year = 2013
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Electronic Earth
| type = studio
| single1 = Let the Sun Shine
| single1date = 27 September 2010
| single2 = Earthquake
| single2date = 29 October 2011
| single3 = Last Time
| single3date = 16 March 2012
| single4 = Express Yourself
| single4date = 7 May 2012
| single5 = Treatment
| single5date = 9 September 2012
| single6 = Beneath Your Beautiful
| single6date = 18 October 2012
}}
}}
Electronic Earth is the debut studio album by English recording artist Labrinth released 2 April 2012, via Syco Music. The album peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart.
Background
The album was released on 2 April 2012, by Simon Cowell's Syco Music. The album was largely self-produced by Labrinth, and was recorded over the period of two years. The album features guest appearances from Tinie Tempah, Emeli Sandé, Etta Bond, Busta Rhymes, Kano, Wretch 32, Devlin and Tinchy Stryder, as well as remixes by Joey Negro, the Wideboys, Knife Party and R3hab. The album's release was preceded by the release of three singles – "Let the Sun Shine", which was released on 27 September 2010, reaching a peak position of number three on the UK Singles Chart;{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101003/7501/ |title=9th October 2010 |work=Official Charts Company |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-date=13 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313124713/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101003/7501 |url-status=live }} "Earthquake", which was released on 23 October 2011, reaching a peak position of number two;{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20111030/7501/ |title=5th November 2011 |work=Official Charts Company |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-date=4 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604041544/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20111030/7501 |url-status=live }} and "Last Time", which was released on 18 March 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/labrinth/news/new-single-last-time/ |title=Labrinth Announces Details of New Single 'Last Time' |publisher=Capital FM |date=25 January 2012 |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209165124/http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/labrinth/news/new-single-last-time/ |url-status=live }}
The title and release date of Electronic Earth were confirmed via Labrinth's official Twitter account on 19 December 2011.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/Labrinthda1st/status/148852299333246976 |title=Album: Electronic earth date: march 19th.... Who's ready!!!! |author=Labrinth |author-link=Labrinth |publisher=Twitter |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=19 December 2011 |archive-date=4 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104170330/https://twitter.com/labrinthda1st/status/148852299333246976 |url-status=live }} The official artwork was unveiled in February 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/labrinth/news/new-album-electronic-earth-artwork/ |title=Labrinth New Album 'Electronic Earth' Album Cover Revealed |publisher=Capital FM |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-date=10 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210094213/http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/labrinth/news/new-album-electronic-earth-artwork/ |url-status=live }} The album was originally due for release on 12 March, but was later pushed back, being released on 2 April 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/28879442/Electronic-Earth/Product.html |title=Electronic Earth (2CD Deluxe Edition) |publisher=Play.com |access-date=22 February 2012 |archive-date=12 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312081902/http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/28879442/Electronic-Earth/Product.html |url-status=live }} The album was set for release in the United States on 11 December 2012, in a joint deal between Syco Music and Capitol Records. Three extra tracks were added to the release for the American market – Labrinth's collaboration with Devlin, "Let it Go"; a special version of Tinie Tempah's smash hit single "Written in the Stars" featuring both Labrinth and original collaborator Eric Turner; and "Teardrop", a collaboration with a number of fellow urban artists, produced as the official single for the Children in Need telethon of 2011.{{Cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/electronic-earth/id5154236756 |title=Archived copy |website=iTunes |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-date=10 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110070105/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/electronic-earth/id5154236756 |url-status=dead }}
Title
Speaking to Blues & Soul in January 2012, Labrinth stated: "Basically 'Electronic Earth' as a title represents musically where I'm heading to as an artist. In that I wanna be able to make both acoustic and electronic music side-by-side. You know, on one side you have artists like Adele who's very much on an acoustic vibe, and then on the other you have like maybe Justice who are a kind of electro-house band. And to me, what I'm about as a musician is joining those two worlds TOGETHER... So yeah, in that way 'Electronic Earth' does truly represent me as both an artist AND a producer."{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/748/listen_up_its_labrinth/|title=Labrinth: Ready for the launch|author=Stephen Clark – Design|work=bluesandsoul.com|access-date=16 March 2012|archive-date=13 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313161821/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/748/listen_up_its_labrinth/|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = 4Music
| rev2 = BBC Music
| rev3 = Digital Spy
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a373390/labrinth-electronic-earth-album-review.html |title=Labrinth: 'Electronic Earth' – Album review |author=Lewis Corner |website=Digital Spy |date=28 March 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |archive-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331190202/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a373390/labrinth-electronic-earth-album-review.html |url-status=live }}
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/29/labrinth-electronic-earth-review |title=Labrinth: Electronic Earth – review |author=Alexis Petridis |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |archive-date=14 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214073050/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/29/labrinth-electronic-earth-review |url-status=live }}
| rev5 = The Independent
| rev6 = NME
}}
Electronic Earth has received mixed responses. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 for reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 55, based on 8 reviews, which indicates "Mixed or Average reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/electronic-earth|title=Reviews for Electronic Earth by Labrinth – Metacritic|work=Metacritic|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914180534/http://www.metacritic.com/music/electronic-earth|url-status=live}} Lewis Corner of music blog Digital Spy gave the album four out of five stars, pointing out that while "Labrinth's lyrics are far from groundbreaking", [he's] "the one artist Cowell has on his label who has the X Factor in abundance". Reviewing the album for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis gave Electronic Earth 3 out of 5 stars, claiming that "there are moments when Electronic Earth is nearly as audacious as Labrinth thinks it is". Killian Fox for the publication's sister newspaper The Observer claims that on Electronic Earth Labrinth "has high ambitions but falls disappointingly short".{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/01/labrinth-electronic-earth-review-cowell |title=Labrinth: Electronic Earth – review |author=Killian Fox |work=The Guardian |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306020823/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/01/labrinth-electronic-earth-review-cowell |url-status=live }} The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, selling 32,281 copies in its first week.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=Official Charts Analysis: Katy Perry album hits 1m sales, Nicki Minaj LP shifts 47k in debut week|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1049089&c=1|work=Music Week|access-date=9 April 2012|date=9 April 2012|archive-date=14 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414052606/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1049089&c=1|url-status=live}}
Singles
- "Let the Sun Shine" was released in September 2010 as the lead single from the album. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the third most successful single from the album.
- "Earthquake" was released in October 2011 as the second single from the album. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the second most successful single from the album. The track features vocals from rapper Tinie Tempah.
- "Last Time" was released in March 2012 as the third single from the album. It peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the fourth most successful single from the album.
- "Express Yourself" was released in May 2012 as the fourth single from the album. It peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, the first track from the album to miss the Top 10.{{Cite web |url=http://www.itno.co.uk/music/labrinth-express-yourself/ |title=Labrinth. Express Yourself « ITNO |access-date=10 May 2012 |archive-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802182424/http://www.itno.co.uk/music/labrinth-express-yourself/ |url-status=dead }}
- "Treatment" was released in August 2012 as the fifth single from the album. It peaked at number 55 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the worst performing single from the album, and the first to miss the Top 40.
- "Beneath Your Beautiful" was released in October 2012 as the sixth single from the album. It peaked at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, earning Labrinth his first ever number-one single, and becoming the highest performing single from the album. The track features vocals from singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé.
=Promotional songs=
- "Climb on Board" was planned to be released on 30 March 2012 as the fourth single of the album. The release was postponed, ultimately cancelled, and eventually replaced with "Express Yourself". However, the song was given a release as a free Amazon.com download prior to album release.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007BWEX5S|title=Climb on Board (Explicit): Labrinth|publisher=Amazon.com|date=2012-03-09|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=28 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428065845/https://www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/browserWarning?0=%2Fplayer%2Falbums%2FB007BWEX5S&1=player%2Falbums%2FB007BWEX5S&subView=music&useHorizonte=true|url-status=live}}
- "Up in Flames" (featuring Devlin and Tinchy Stryder), one of the two original bonus tracks in the deluxe version of the album (along with "T.O.P."), was released as a free download through his website and his SoundCloud page.{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/labrinth/labrinth-featuring-devlin-and-tinchy-stryder-up-in-flames|title=SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds|website=SoundCloud.com|access-date=16 May 2022|archive-date=16 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516212318/https://soundcloud.com/labrinth/labrinth-featuring-devlin-and-tinchy-stryder-up-in-flames|url-status=live}} Labrinth has also published a behind-the-scenes video to YouTube through his channel of the song being recording. The video itself simulates a VHS tape recording with many glitches.{{cite web|title=Up in Flames behind the scenes|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpzz5Mfmi4|via=YouTube|publisher=LabrinthTV|access-date=21 September 2010|archive-date=23 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523065548/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpzz5Mfmi4|url-status=live}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Electronic Earth
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Climb on Board
| writer1 = Timothy McKenzie, Marc Williams
| extra1 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length1 = 3:58
| title2 = Earthquake
| note2 = featuring Tinie Tempah
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Patrick Okogwu
}}
| extra2 = Labrinth
| length2 = 3:31
| title3 = Last Time
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
}}
| extra3 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length3 = 4:23
| title4 = Treatment
| note4 = featuring Etta Bond
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Rami Yacoub
- Carl Falk
}}
| extra4 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length4 = 4:30
| title5 = Express Yourself
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Charles Wright
- James Brown
}}
| extra5 = Labrinth
| length5 = 4:03
| title6 = Let the Sun Shine
| writer6 = McKenzie
| extra6 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length6 = 2:59
| title7 = Beneath Your Beautiful
| note7 = featuring Emeli Sandé
| writer7 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Emeli Sandé
- Mike Posner
}}
| extra7 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length7 = 4:31
| title8 = Sundown
| writer8 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Joni Mitchell
}}
| extra8 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length8 = 5:06
| title9 = Sweet Riot
| writer9 = McKenzie
| extra9 = Labrinth
| length9 = 5:02
| title10 = Vultures
| writer10 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Claude Kelly
- Wayne Hector
}}
| extra10 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length10 = 4:17
| total_length = 43:23
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Electronic Earth {{nobold|– Digital deluxe edition bonus tracks}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/electronic-earth-deluxe-edition/509190623|title=iTunes – Music – Electronic Earth (Deluxe Edition) by Labrinth|work=iTunes|date=30 March 2012|access-date=29 October 2012|archive-date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909174020/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/electronic-earth-deluxe-edition/id509190623|url-status=live}}
| title11 = Earthquake
| note11 = All Stars Remix) (featuring Tinie Tempah, Kano, Wretch 32 and Busta Rhymes
| writer11 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Okogwu
- Kane Robinson
- Jermaine Scott
- Trevor Smith
}}
| extra11 = Labrinth
| length11 = 5:14
| title12 = T.O.P.
| writer12 = McKenzie
| extra12 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length12 = 3:18
| title13 = Up in Flames
| note13 = featuring Devlin and Tinchy Stryder
| writer13 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- James Devlin
- Kwasi Danquah
}}
| extra13 = Labrinth
| length13 = 4:05
| title14 = Last Time
| note14 = Knife Party Remix
| writer14 = McKenzie, Williams
| extra14 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
- Knife Party
}}
| length14 = 5:16
| title15 = Earthquake
| note15 = Noisia Remix) (featuring Tinie Tempah
| writer15 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Okogwu
}}
| extra15 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Noisia
}}
| length15 = 6:29
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Electronic Earth {{nobold|– Deluxe edition bonus disc}}{{cite web|url=http://www.myplaydirect.com/labrinth/electronic-earth-deluxe-edition/details/26684942|title=Labrinth "Electronic Earth Deluxe Edition"|publisher=Labrinth Global Store GB|access-date=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426155324/http://www.myplaydirect.com/labrinth/electronic-earth-deluxe-edition/details/26684942|archive-date=26 April 2015|url-status=dead}}
| title1 = Earthquake
| note1 = All Stars Remix) (featuring Tinie Tempah, Kano, Wretch 32 and Busta Rhymes
| writer1 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Okogwu
- Robinson
- Scott
- Smith
}}
| extra1 = Labrinth
| length1 = 5:14
| title2 = T.O.P.
| writer2 = McKenzie
| extra2 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
}}
| length2 = 3:18
| title3 = Up in Flames
| note3 = featuring Devlin and Tinchy Stryder
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- James Devlin
- Kwasi Danquah
}}
| extra3 = Labrinth
| length3 = 4:05
| title4 = Earthquake
| note4 = Noisia Remix) (featuring Tinie Tempah
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Okogwu
}}
| extra4 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Noisia
}}
| length4 = 6:29
| title5 = Earthquake
| note5 = Benny Benassi Remix) (featuring Tinie Tempah
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams
- Okogwu
}}
| extra5 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Benny Benassi
}}
| length5 = 5:00
| title6 = Let the Sun Shine
| note6 = Joey Negro Radio Mix
| writer6 = McKenzie
| extra6 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
- Joey Negro
}}
| length6 = 3:13
| title7 = Let the Sun Shine
| note7 = Wideboys Remix
| writer7 = McKenzie
| extra7 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
- Wideboys
}}
| length7 =
| title8 = Last Time
| note8 = Knife Party Remix
| writer8 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams}}
| extra8 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
- Knife Party
}}
| length8 = 5:16
| title9 = Last Time
| note9 = R3hab Remix
| writer9 = {{flatlist|
- McKenzie
- Williams}}
| extra9 = {{flatlist|
- Labrinth
- Da Digglar
- R3hab
}}
| length9 =
}}
;Sample credits
- "Express Yourself" contains a sample of "Express Yourself" as written by Charles Wright and performed by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and "Funky Drummer" as written and performed by James Brown.
- "Sundown" contains lyrics from the 1970 song "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell.
Personnel
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Musical personnel
- Labrinth – vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass, drums, programming, production
- Da Digglar – production and additional programming on all tracks
- Joachim Walker – engineering (tracks 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10); additional programming (tracks 3 and 4)
- Cliff Masterson – strings arrangements (tracks 3, 7 and 10); strings programming (track 3)
- Andy Gangadeen – additional drums (tracks 4 and 8)
- Tim Burnes – horns (track 5)
- Jake Telford – horns (track 5)
- Nick Etwell – horns (track 5)
{{col-2}}
;Additional personnel
- Serban Ghenea – mixing (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10)
- Mike Spencer – mixing (tracks 1, 5 and 9)
- John Hanes – mix engineering (tracks 2, 3, 4 and 6)
- Tom Elmhirst – mixing (track 7)
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing (track 8)
- Vlado Mellor – mastering
- Tom Hingston – art direction, design
{{col-end}}
Charts and certifications
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2012–13)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|30|artist=Labrinth|album=Electronic Earth|access-date=26 June 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland2|19|artist=Labrinth|access-date=26 June 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|6|date=20120408|access-date=26 June 2020}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|2|date=20120408|access-date=26 June 2020}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Electronic Earth|artist=Labrinth|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2012|certyear=2021|access-date=28 October 2021|id=10847-3315-2}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}
{{col-end}}