Freedom Child

{{for multi|the opera|Freedom Child (opera)|the album by Billy Joe Shaver|Freedom's Child}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Freedom Child

| type = studio

| artist = The Script

| cover = Freedom Child The Script.jpg

| alt =

| released = 1 September 2017

| recorded = 2016–2017

| studio =

| genre = {{hlist|Pop rock|pop|R&B|dance{{Cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/07/21/the-script-announce-new-album-freedom-child-and-tour-we-wanted-to-revamp-and-reboot-the-sound-6795962/|title=The Script announce new album Freedom Child and tour: 'We wanted to revamp and reboot the sound'|last=Katie|first=Baillie|date=21 July 2017|website=Metro|access-date=17 August 2017}}}}

| length = 48:56

| label = {{hlist|Columbia|Sony}}

| producer =

| prev_title = No Sound Without Silence

| prev_year = 2014

| next_title = Acoustic Sessions

| next_year = 2018

| misc =

{{Singles

| name = Freedom Child

| type = studio

| single1 = Rain

| single1date = 14 July 2017

| single2 = Arms Open

| single2date = 13 November 2017

}}

}}

Freedom Child is the fifth studio album by Irish rock band The Script. It was released via Columbia Records{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/music/the-script-announce-big-blackpool-date-four-years-since-lights-no-show-1-8662137|title=The Script announce big Blackpool date – four years since Lights no-show|website=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=17 August 2017}} and Sony Music on 1 September 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/irish-rockers-the-script-return-with-a-new-album-and-a-powerful-message/news-story/0bcfcfa93ccce9ba117f58e3956db67e|title=The Script delivers music with a message on new Freedom Child album {{!}} Herald Sun|last=McCabe|first=Kathy|website=Herald Sun|date=16 August 2017|access-date=17 August 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.98fm.com/The-Script-Announce-Dublin-Show-|title=The Script Announce Dublin Show|work=98FM|access-date=17 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.directlyrics.com/the-script-announce-new-album-freedom-child-tracklist-cover-art-news.html|title=The Script Announce New Album "Freedom Child": Tracklist + Cover Art!|work=Directlyrics|access-date=17 August 2017}}

Background

Speaking about how pop music has turned out since The Script went on a hiatus after their last album No Sound Without Silence, Danny O’Donoghue said "If you take a listen to radio now, there aren’t too many bands - guitar, bass, drums, vocals. Everyone has some kind of production element." The album was announced as members of the band took time out with their families in Ireland after four studio albums since 2008.

"Rain" was released as the first single from the album and their first new song since 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0721/891378-the-script/|title=The Script return after a domesticated break!|work=RTÉ.ie|date=21 July 2017|access-date=17 August 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/script-warn-traditional-bands-are-danger-group-return-trendy-album-freedom-child-1632444|title=The Script warn 'traditional bands are in danger' as group return with trendy album Freedom Child|last=Adejobi|first=Alicia|date=28 July 2017|work=International Business Times|access-date=17 August 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife/script-release-new-ahead-special-326957|title=The Script release new music ahead of special Bridlington gig|last=Jones|first=Craig|date=15 August 2017|work=Hull Daily Mail|access-date=17 August 2017}}

Explaining how the album title was decided, O'Donoghue said "It came from Mark's side... His seven-year-old came up to him one day and asked, 'Dad, what's terrorism?'" The album title was inspired by its song of the same name, which addresses terrorism and the need for harmony.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/script-musicians-arent-standing-over-terrorism-where-hell-bono-jay-z-beyonce-639830|title=The Script: "Musicians aren't standing up over terrorism. Where the hell is Bono? Jay-Z? Beyoncé?"|last=Ahmad|first=Tufayel|work=Newsweek|date=21 July 2017|access-date=17 August 2017}} He also mentioned how the album covers many topics.{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-script-announce-new-album-freedom-child-it-covers-everything-from-terrorism-to-heartbreak-to-euphoria__19746/|title=The Script announce new album: "It covers terrorism, heartbreak, euphoria"|last=Rob|first=Copsey|work=Official Charts Company|date=21 July 2017|access-date=17 August 2017}}

"Divided States of America", a song on the album was explained by O’Donoghue, who said "We were in America when Trump's [2017] inauguration was happening, and you couldn’t walk down the street without seeing how divided America was. The guy selling cigarettes could be a Democrat and the guy he's selling them to could be a Trump supporter."{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-script-find-a-band-who-sing-as-honestly-as-us-i-dare-you-1.3165353|title=The Script: 'Find a band who sing as honestly as us. I dare you'|last=Shilpa|first=Ganatra|date=29 July 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=17 August 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/17/July/23The_Script_Announce_Tour_and_New_Album_Details.shtml|title=The Script Announce Tour and New Album Details ::The Script News ::antiMusic.com|website=www.antimusic.com|date=23 July 2017|access-date=17 August 2017}}

Critical reception

{{Album reviews

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/freedom-child-mw0003085730 |title=Freedom Child - The Script |work=AllMusic |access-date=6 September 2017 |last=Collar |first=Matt}}

| rev2 = The Irish Times

| rev2score = {{rating|2|5}}

| rev3 = The Last Mixed Tape

| rev3score = 2/10{{cite web |url=https://thelastmixedtape.com/2017/09/01/review-the-script-freedom-child/ |title=Review: The Script - Freedom Child |website=The Last Mixed Tape |access-date=1 September 2017 |last=White |first=Stephen|date=September 2017 }}

| rev4 = London Evening Standard

| rev4score = {{rating|2|5}}

| rev5 = Raidió Teilifís Éireann

| rev5score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/music-reviews/2017/0901/901498-the-script-freedom-child/ |title=The Script: Freedom Child - time for a rewrite |work=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |publisher=Alan Corr |access-date=4 September 2017 |last=Corr |first=Alan|date=September 2017 }}

}}

Matt Collar of AllMusic gave the album a positive review, stating that the album "is a vibrant, immediately engaging effort that finds them nicely balancing their various influences, from slick dance-pop to kinetic R&B and thoughtful, crowd-pleasing anthems." Eleanor of Live Arena also gave the album a positive review but with no score, stating that "the group's confident new sound, that strays away from the rock feel we're used to, strikes listeners with positivity and strength. It's worth a listen."{{cite web |url=https://live-arena.uk/script-release-genre-mixing-new-album-freedom-child/ |title=The Script release their genre-mixing album "Freedom Child" |work=Live Arena |publisher=Eleanor |access-date=5 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906225616if_/https://live-arena.uk/script-release-genre-mixing-new-album-freedom-child/ |archive-date=6 September 2017 }}

The album has had several negative reviews, including from Lauren Murphy of The Irish Times, who stated that "it's too long, but more importantly, it's emotionally hollow."{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-script-review-the-boys-go-a-bit-bono-lite-1.3198191 |title=The Script review: The boys go a bit Bono-lite |newspaper=The Irish Times |publisher=The Irish Times |access-date=31 August 2017 |last=Murphy |first=Lauren }} Rick Pearson of London Evening Standard also gave the album a negative review, and said that "Truly, the road to musical hell is paved with good intentions."{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/music/the-script-freedom-child-review-wellmeaning-but-full-of-chugging-guitars-and-lyrical-guff-a3625226.html |title=The Script, Freedom Child - review: 'Well-meaning but full of chugging guitars and lyrical guff' |newspaper=London Evening Standard |access-date=1 September 2017 |last=Pearson |first=Rick }} Stephen White of The Last Mixed Tape gave the album a score of 2 out of 10, calling the album "an advert that will top the charts".{{Cite web|url=https://thelastmixedtape.com/2017/09/01/review-the-script-freedom-child/|title=Review {{!}} The Script – Freedom Child|last=White|first=Stephen|date=1 September 2017|website=the Last Mixed Tape}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Freedom Child track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = No Man Is an Island

| length1 = 3:49

| writer1 = {{hlist|Mark Sheehan|Camille Purcell|Daniel O'Donoghue|James "Jimbo" Barry}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|OzGo}}

| title2 = Rain

| length2 = 3:29

| writer2 = {{hlist|O'Donoghue|Purcell|Sheehan|Barry}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|Andrew Frampton|Max Farrar}}

| title3 = Arms Open

| length3 = 4:00

| writer3 = {{hlist|Sheehan|Adam Messinger|O'Donoghue|Nasri Atweh}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|The Messengers}}

| title4 = Rock the World

| length4 = 3:10

| writer4 = {{hlist|Sheehan|O'Donoghue|Andrew Frampton|Steve Kipner|Barry}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|Frampton|Kipner}}

| title5 = Mad Love

| length5 = 3:25

| writer5 = {{hlist|Sheehan|Frampton|O'Donoghue|Kipner}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|The Script|Frampton|Kipner|Farrar{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| title6 = Deliverance

| length6 = 3:31

| writer6 = {{hlist|Sheehan|Oscar Görres|O'Donoghue|James Alan Ghaleb}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|OzGo}}

| title7 = Divided States of America

| length7 = 4:04

| writer7 = {{hlist|Sheehan|O'Donoghue|Barry}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|Frampton{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| title8 = Wonders

| length8 = 4:18

| writer8 = {{hlist|Sheehan|Toby Gad|O'Donoghue}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Gad|Frampton|Farrar}}

| title9 = Love Not Lovers

| length9 = 3:44

| writer9 = {{hlist|Sheehan|Frampton|O'Donoghue|Kipner}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|The Script|Frampton|Farrar|Kipner}}

| title10 = Eden

| length10 = 3:29

| writer10 = {{hlist|Sheehan|O'Donoghue|Gad|Clarence Coffee Jr.}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|Gad|Frampton}}

| title11 = Make Up

| length11 = 3:26

| writer11 = {{hlist|Sheehan|O'Donoghue|Barry}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|Frampton}}

| title12 = Written in the Scars

| length12 = 3:47

| writer12 = {{hlist|Sheehan|Frampton|O'Donoghue|Max Farrar|Kipner}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Frampton|Farrar|Kipner}}

| title13 = Awakening

| length13 = 0:47

| writer13 = {{hlist|Sheehan|O'Donoghue}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo}}

| title14 = Freedom Child

| length14 = 3:57

| writer14 = {{hlist|Sheehan|O'Donoghue|Barry}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|The Script|Jimbo|Frampton}}

| total_length = 48:56

|title9 Love Not Lovers

}}

Notes

  • {{note|a|[a]}} signifies a co-producer.
  • {{note|c|[c]}} signifies a vocal producer.

Charts

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Weekly chart performance for Freedom Child

! scope="col"| Chart (2017)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{album chart|Australia|5|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=9 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Austria|61|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=14 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Flanders|13|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=8 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|40|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=8 September 2017}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|62|artist=The Script|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Czech|91|date=201737|rowheader=true|access-date=19 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Denmark|26|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=13 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|3|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=8 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Finland|31|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=10 September 2017}}
{{album chart|France|140|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=11 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Germany4|43|id=338566|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=8 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Ireland2|1|artist=The Script|rowheader=true|access-date=9 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Italy|35|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=9 September 2017}}
{{album chart|New Zealand|17|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=8 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Norway|6|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=9 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Portugal|19|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=22 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20170908|rowheader=true|access-date=9 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Spain|37|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=14 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Sweden|27|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=8 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|10|artist=The Script|album=Freedom Child|rowheader=true|access-date=13 September 2017}}
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=20170908|rowheader=true|access-date=9 September 2017}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|58|artist=The Script|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2017}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for Freedom Child

! scope="col"| Chart (2017)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Dutch Albums (MegaCharts){{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2017&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2017|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=23 December 2017}}

| 95

scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2017|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=10 January 2018}}

| 83

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Freedom Child}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Script|title=Freedom Child|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|access-date=13 April 2018|id=14607-1340-2}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}

References