Selfocracy

Belgian singer Loïc Nottet rose to fame after finishing second in singing competition The Voice Belgique in 2014. He then represented his country at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with his debut single "Rhythm Inside", and achieved fourth place. The singer also participated in and won the sixth season of French television dance contest Danse avec les stars in the same year. For Selfocracy, Nottet's debut studio album, he composed several songs by himself as he desired to have creative control over the record.{{cite news|url=http://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/loic-nottet-sur-son-nouvel-album-chaque-titre-devoile-une-nouvelle-de-mes-facettes-58de2697cd70eeb6172d4736|title=Loïc Nottet sur son nouvel album: "Chaque titre dévoile une nouvelle de mes facettes"|trans-title=Loïc Nottet on his new album: "Each title is a new facette of mine"|language=fr|newspaper=La Libre Belgique|date=31 March 2017|author=van Dievort, Charles|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611024644/http://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/loic-nottet-sur-son-nouvel-album-chaque-titre-devoile-une-nouvelle-de-mes-facettes-58de2697cd70eeb6172d4736|archive-date=2017-06-11|url-status=live}} He also collaborated with writer Amy Morrey and producer Alexandre Germys on a great majority of the album's material, which was recorded at the ICP and Synosound Studios in Brussels, Belgium, as well as at the Rooftop Studio in London, United Kingdom. When creating songs, Nottet would complete a basic instrumentation with his desired sounds, and then reach out to professional producers to "put the nail polish" in accordance to his vision. During an interview, the singer stated that this process took him a year and a half.{{cite news|url=http://www.dhnet.be/medias/dh-radio/decouvrez-et-remportez-le-premier-album-de-loic-nottet-toute-la-journee-sur-dh-radio-58db90f8cd707a07a77b1f02|title=Découvrez et remportez le premier album de Loïc Nottet toute la journée sur DH Radio|trans-title=Discover and win the debut album of Loïc Nottet all day long|language=fr|access-date=5 September 2018|newspaper=La Dernière Heure|date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614125907/http://www.dhnet.be/medias/dh-radio/decouvrez-et-remportez-le-premier-album-de-loic-nottet-toute-la-journee-sur-dh-radio-58db90f8cd707a07a77b1f02|archive-date=2017-06-14|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.tf1.fr/tf1/danse-avec-les-stars/news/loic-nottet-certifie-disque-de-platine-7218960.html|title=Loic Nottet, Selfocracy certifié disque de platine|trans-title=Loic Nottet, Selfocracy was certified Platinum|date=24 April 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Manseau, Chloe|publisher=TF1}} The first song to be composed for Selfocracy was "Mud Blood".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.fr/l-interview-premiere-fois-de-loic-nottet,1992093.asp|title=L'interview "première fois" de Loïc Nottet|trans-title=The "first time" interview of Loïc Nottet|language=fr|author=Olives, Ludivine|magazine=Cosmopolitan|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916020253/http://www.cosmopolitan.fr/l-interview-premiere-fois-de-loic-nottet,1992093.asp|archive-date=2017-09-16|url-status=live}} The album was originally planned to be called The Reign of Selfocracy, but its title was shortened "at the last minute".{{cite news|url=https://www.aficia.info/actualite-musique/100430/100430|title=Loïc Nottet lève le voile sur ses démons à travers "Mud Blood"|language=fr|trans-title=Loïc Nottet shows his demons in "Mud Blood"|publisher=Aficia|date=17 March 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810055807/http://www.aficia.info/actualite-musique/100430/100430|archive-date=2017-08-10|url-status=live}} Nottet detailed:{{cite news|url=https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-sur-scene-je-me-sens-vraiment-invincible-interview-a597225.html|title=Loïc Nottet: "Sur scène, je me sens vraiment invincible"|trans-title=Loïc Nottet: "On the stage, I feel truly invincible"|language=fr|publisher=Virgin Radio|date=28 March 2017|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707104736/https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-sur-scene-je-me-sens-vraiment-invincible-interview-a597225.html|archive-date=2017-07-07|url-status=live}}

"To find the title of the album, I put together all its songs and realized that they were mostly a call for tolerance. I wanted to summarize the current society—which I believe is rather egocentric, narcissistic and selfish—in a single word. So I started from the word 'democracy' and, as I did some Latin, I knew that 'cratia' means power. I then looked for a word in English that meant 'myself' and I got to "selfcracy". And then a friend of mine who is British told me that if I had been British, too, I would have added an 'o' because it sounds better. And that's why I chose Selfocracy."

Prior to its official premiere, excerpts of Selfocracy had been leaked online. In February 2017, an event was held at Éléphant Paname in Paris, France, where 30 people were given the chance to exclusively listen to unmastered mixes intended for the album.{{cite news|url=https://www.lci.fr/musique/danse-avec-les-stars-on-a-ecoute-le-premier-album-de-loic-nottet-c-est-une-pepite-2024721.html|title=On a écouté le premier album de Loïc Nottet, c'est une pépite|trans-title=We listened to the debut album Loïc Nottet, and it's a nugget|language=fr|publisher=LCI|date=4 February 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=de Freitas, Delphine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022132745/http://www.lci.fr/musique/danse-avec-les-stars-on-a-ecoute-le-premier-album-de-loic-nottet-c-est-une-pepite-2024721.html|archive-date=2017-10-22|url-status=live}} Selfocracy was ultimately released for digital download in various countries, as well as on CD in France on 31 March 2017, although 24 March 2017 was originally announced as its release date.{{cite news|url=http://esctoday.com/140108/belgium-loic-nottets-new-album-release-date/|title=Belgium: Loïc Nottet's new album release date|publisher=EscToday|date=26 January 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Senkishev, Georgi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825034903/http://esctoday.com/140108/belgium-loic-nottets-new-album-release-date/|archive-date=2018-08-25|url-status=live}} A vinyl was also made available on 15 September 2017. All aforementioned releases were conducted by Sony Music Entertainment. Nottet originally envisioned the album's accompanying cover artwork to solely consist of symbols but—due to the disagreement of Sony Music Entertainment—it ended featuring a shot of him.{{cite magazine|magazine=Le Vif/L'Express|url=http://www.levif.be/actualite/belgique/toute-voix-dehors-loic-nottet-livre-son-premier-album/article-normal-638357.html|title=Toute voix dehors, Loïc Nottet livre son premier album|trans-title=Any voice out, Loïc Nottet releases his debut album|language=fr|date=30 March 2018|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018212407/http://www.levif.be/actualite/belgique/toute-voix-dehors-loic-nottet-livre-son-premier-album/article-normal-638357.html|archive-date=2017-10-18|url-status=live}} Unveiled on 1 March 2017 through social media, the artwork portrays Nottet in a dark setting, lying on the ground in front of a mirror and looking off in the far distance.{{cite news|url=http://www.nrj.be/articles/loic-nottet-devoile-la-cover-de-son-album.html|title=Loïc Nottet dévoile la cover de son album!|trans-title=Loïc Nottet unveils the cover for his album!|language=fr|publisher=NRJ|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827183820/http://www.nrj.be/articles/loic-nottet-devoile-la-cover-de-son-album.html|archive-date=2017-08-27|url-status=live}}

Selfocracy has been classified as an electropop album, with its instrumentation consisting of electronic beats, deep bass and percussion.{{cite news|url=http://www.madmoizelle.com/loic-nottet-selfocracy-critique-750479|title=Entre pop énergique et atmosphère captivante, découvre "Selfocracy", l'album de Loïc Nottet|trans-title=Between energetic pop and a captivant atmosphere, discover "Selfocracy", the album of Loïc Nottet|language=fr|date=31 March 2017|access-date=4 September 2018|author=Kosmala, Lucie|publisher=Madmoizelle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109043610/http://www.madmoizelle.com/loic-nottet-selfocracy-critique-750479|archive-date=2017-11-09|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rtl2.fr/culture/loic-nottet-presente-selfocracy-un-premier-album-puissant-et-tenebreux-7787843237|title=Loïc Nottet présente "Selfocracy", un premier album puissant et ténébreux|trans-title=Loïc Nottet presents "Selfocracy", a powerful and dark debut album|language=fr|date=31 March 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Valais, Lucie|publisher=RTL2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914163632/http://www.rtl2.fr/culture/loic-nottet-presente-selfocracy-un-premier-album-puissant-et-tenebreux-7787843237|archive-date=2017-09-14|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-selfocracy-le-premier-album-du-jeune-prodige-belge-sort-aujourd-hui-review-a597659.html|title=Loïc Nottet: "Selfocracy", le premier album du jeune prodige belge sort aujourd'hui|trans-title=Loïc Nottet: "Selfocracy", the debut album of the young Belgian is released today|date=31 March 2018|publisher=Virgin Radio|access-date=5 September 2018|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404190712/https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-selfocracy-le-premier-album-du-jeune-prodige-belge-sort-aujourd-hui-review-a597659.html|archive-date=2017-04-04|url-status=live}} Songs also occasionally feature choirs and rap vocals.{{cite news|url=http://fr.newsmonkey.be/article/16941|title=On a écouté le premier album de Loïc Nottet: "Selfocracy" est un vrai chef d'œuvre musical, presque cinématographique|trans-title=We listened to Loïc Nottet's first album: "Selfocracy" is a true musical masterpiece, almost cinematographic|language=fr|publisher=Newsmonkey|date=31 March 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618112017/http://fr.newsmonkey.be/article/16941|archive-date=2017-06-18|url-status=live}} Lyrically, Nottet expresses his vision of modern society and addresses topics such as toleration, harassment, stereotypes, narcissism, egocentrism and egoism.{{cite news|url=https://fr.metrotime.be/2017/04/04/must-read/loic-nottet-societe-daujourdhui-se-regarde-miroir/|title=Loïc Nottet: "La société d'aujourd'hui se regarde trop dans le miroir"|trans-title=Loïc Nottet: "Today's society looks at themselves in the mirror too much"|language=fr|date=4 April 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|publisher=Metro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627214114/https://fr.metrotime.be/2017/04/04/must-read/loic-nottet-societe-daujourdhui-se-regarde-miroir/|archive-date=2017-06-27|url-status=live}} Nottet stated that "people are paying more and more attention to their appearance",{{cite news|url=http://tvmag.lefigaro.fr/programme-tv/loic-nottet-mon-album-est-tres-cinematographique-_c9b884aa-1398-11e7-b331-1b36f4b7daa8/|title=Loic Nottet: "Mon album est très cinématographique"|trans-title=Loic Nottet: "My album is very cinematographic"|language=fr|publisher=Le Figaro Magazine|date=29 March 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Raïo, Stéphanie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610143547/http://tvmag.lefigaro.fr/programme-tv/loic-nottet-mon-album-est-tres-cinematographique-_c9b884aa-1398-11e7-b331-1b36f4b7daa8/|archive-date=2017-06-10|url-status=live}} and cited "the mirror"—also present on the album's cover artwork—as a significant symbol for Selfocracy.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbTNvHDdbZA&t=650s|title=Loïc Nottet interview – FaceCulture|publisher=YouTube|date=27 July 2017|access-date=5 September 2018}} During an interview, he described it as a concept album.{{cite news|url=https://www.eurovisionary.com/loic-nottet-releases-his-debut-album-selfocracy/|title=Loïc Nottet releases his debut album "Selfocracy"|publisher=EuroVisionary|date=31 March 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Outerson, Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707081207/https://www.eurovisionary.com/loic-nottet-releases-his-debut-album-selfocracy/|archive-date=2017-07-07|url-status=live}} The singer also called it "cinematographic", attributing this to the way he composes songs. He notes watching movies without sound when coming up with melodies; the tracks "Million Eyes", "Selfocracy" and "Wolves" were inspired by Changeling (2008), Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Beauty and the Beast (1946), respectively. Nottet also stated that "I love my childhood, I do not want to grow up, so stories are very important in creation". Selfocracy is completely written in English, for which the singer penned lyrics in French and gave them to a British friend to translate.

File:Sia Furler in concert.jpg identified Australian singer Sia as an influence on the songs "Million Eyes" and "Mirror". Nottet himself also stated that she was one of his favorite acts during interviews.]]

The album opens with its title track, a "symphonic ballad", which features recording artist Blaise Landsbert-Noon talking about mirrors and reflections over "dark but stirring" music.{{cite news|url=https://celebmix.com/album-review-loic-nottet-selfocracy/|title=Track By Track Album Review: Loïc Nottet – Selfocracy|publisher=CelebMix|author=Currinn, Jonathan|year=2017|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013175457/http://celebmix.com/album-review-loic-nottet-selfocracy/|archive-date=2017-10-13|url-status=live}} He also tells myths of people who "would have died looking at themselves too long in a mirror", lyrically referencing the narcissist and egoist society surrounding him. The follow-up "Mud Blood" is a 1980s and rock-inspired electropop song that prominently features synthesizers in its refrain. Its "evocative" lyrics discuss on the presence of demons inside people.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/07/21/loic-nottet-mud-blood-premiere|title=Synth-Pop Artist Loïc Nottet Dances Through His Demons In "Mud Blood"|magazine=The Fader|date=21 July 2017|access-date=1 September 2018|author=Myers, Owen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824073533/http://www.thefader.com/2017/07/21/loic-nottet-mud-blood-premiere|archive-date=2017-08-24|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/07/22/belgiums-loic-nottet-dances-evil-version-mud-blood-music-video/|title=Belgium's Loïc Nottet dances with an evil version of himself in "Mud Blood" music video|publisher=Wiwibloggs|date=22 July 2017|author=Lee Adams, William|access-date=2 September 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nrj.be/articles/loic-nottet-balance-son-tout-nouveau-titre.html|title=Loïc Nottet balance son tout nouveau titre|language=fr|trans-title=Loïc Nottet releases his new single|access-date=2 September 2018|publisher=NRJ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324113712/http://www.nrj.be/articles/loic-nottet-balance-son-tout-nouveau-titre.html|archive-date=2017-03-24|url-status=live}} "Team8", the third song on Selfocracy, is a pop recording where Nottet advises the listener to become part of the 'team8'. Nottet also references social media and "the fact that humans are becoming more and more prisoners". An editor of {{Ill|Newsmonkey|nl|newsmonkey}} likened "Team8" to material released by Taylor Swift and One Direction. "Team8" is followed by the hip hop-inspired "Dirty" which commences as a lullaby and features a music box beat. It includes vocals from American rapper Lil Trip. Lucie Kosmala of Madmoizelle found the song to be "innocent" and "childlike", while an editor of Newsmonkey likened it to material released by Swift, Pink and Katy Perry. Julien Goncalves of Pure Charts associated the lyrics of "Dirty" with the bullying Nottet was exposed to during his childhood.{{cite news|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-103989.html|title="Selfocracy": Loïc Nottet se livre sur un premier album intense (critique)|trans-title="Selfocracy": Loïc Nottet releases an intense debut album (review)|date=31 March 2017|author=Goncalves, Julien|publisher=Pure Charts|access-date=2018-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804134625/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-103989.html|archive-date=2018-08-04|url-status=live}}

The fifth track on Selfocracy, "Million Eyes", has been described as an experimental-inspired{{cite magazine|url=https://www.moustique.be/16877/million-eyes-le-nouveau-clip-de-loic-nottet-est-sorti|title=Million Eyes, le nouveau clip de Loïc Nottet, est sorti|trans-title=Million Eyes, the new music video of Loïc Nottes, has been released|date=27 October 2016|access-date=30 August 2018|magazine=Moustique|language=fr|author=Lorfèvre, Luc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101213900/http://www.moustique.be/16877/million-eyes-le-nouveau-clip-de-loic-nottet-est-sorti|archive-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live}} dark electropop power ballad;{{cite news|url=https://www.eurovisionary.com/loic-notett-returns-with-a-million-eyes/|title=Loïc Nottet returns with A Million Eyes|publisher=EuroVisionary|date=27 October 2016|access-date=29 August 2018|author=Outerson, Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707081942/https://www.eurovisionary.com/loic-notett-returns-with-a-million-eyes/|archive-date=2017-07-07|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2016/10/27/loic-nottet-ends-the-waiting-with-release-of-new-single-million-eyes/|title=Loïc Nottet ends the waiting with release of new single 'Million Eyes'|publisher=Wiwibloggs|date=27 October 2016|access-date=29 August 2018|author=Halpin, Chris}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_le-retour-de-loic-nottet?id=9441928|title=Le retour de Loïc Nottet avec sa nouvelle chanson "Million Eyes"|trans-title=The return of Loïc Nottet with his new single "Million Eyes"|language=fr|date=27 October 2016|access-date=30 August 2018|author=Dussein, Dominique|publisher=RTBF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028151501/https://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_le-retour-de-loic-nottet?id=9441928|archive-date=2016-10-28|url-status=live}} its instrumentation features piano notes that are "wrapped in a hazy aura".{{cite news|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-102826.html|title=Loïc Nottet revient avec une ballade vibrante|trans-title=Loïc Nottet returns with a vibrant ballad|language=fr|date=27 October 2016|access-date=30 August 2018|publisher=Pure Charts|author=Ruelle, Yohann|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225183841/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-102826.html|archive-date=2018-02-25|url-status=live}} Throughout the track's lyrics, Nottet speaks of 'million eyes' watching and "forcing him to put on a fake smile as a mask", with a reviewer considering the lyrics also discussed internal battles.{{cite news|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-102842.html|title=Clip 'Million Eyes': Loïc Nottet bluffe sur une chorégraphie digne de 'Danse avec les stars'|trans-title=Music video for 'Million Eyes': Loïc Nottet performs a choreography worthy of 'Dancing With the Stars'|language=fr|date=28 October 2016|publisher=Pure Charts|access-date=30 August 2018|author=Ruelle, Yohann|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804153914/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-102842.html|archive-date=2018-08-04|url-status=live}} Nottet himself explained that "Million Eyes" was inspired by the work of Sia, while critics also noticed the influence of Rihanna, The Weeknd and Alice on the Roof.{{cite news|url=http://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/decouvrez-le-nouveau-single-de-loic-nottet-video-5812f25ecd70958a9d596804|title=Découvrez le nouveau single de Loïc Nottet|trans-title=Discover the new single of Loïc Nottet|language=fr|date=27 October 2016|access-date=30 August 2018|newspaper=La Libre Belgique|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102231716/http://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/decouvrez-le-nouveau-single-de-loic-nottet-video-5812f25ecd70958a9d596804|archive-date=2016-11-02|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.staragora.com/star/loic-nottet/loic-nottet-signe-son-comeback-avec-le-clip-million-eyes-101512.html|title=Loïc Nottet signe son comeback avec le clip 'Million Eyes'|trans-title=Loïc Nottet makes his comeback with the music video for 'Million Eyes'|language=fr|magazine=Cosmopolitan|access-date=30 August 2018|date=28 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708064430/http://www.staragora.com/star/loic-nottet/loic-nottet-signe-son-comeback-avec-le-clip-million-eyes-101512.html|archive-date=2017-07-08|url-status=live}} "Whisperers" is a "progressive" ballad featuring a "whispering" sound. Lyrically, Notett speaks of death in a "mysterious, almost religious" atmosphere. Newsmonkey likened it to material released by Evanescence. Subsequently, the hip hop and electropop-inspired pop rock song "Poison" is introduced, featuring rapper Shogun. The track opens with an approximately one-minute long, avant garde-influenced instrumental section.{{cite news|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/04/04/rhythm-inside-loic-nottet-releases-debut-album-selfocracy/|title=Rhythm inside: Loïc Nottet releases debut album "Selfocracy"|publisher=Wiwibloggs|date=4 April 2017|access-date=4 September 2018|author=Shokayan, Antranig}} Towards the track's end electric guitars are introduced, prompting a critic to compare their use to that of Imagine Dragons. Other inspirations for the song identified by a Newsmonkey editor are Rihanna and Lady Gaga. On "Poison", Nottet executes several "completely controlled" vocal trills, while lyrically detailing on criticism from individuals which causes his "conscience [to be] poisoned".

"Cure", the eighth song on Selfocracy, has been described as a piano-driven "love letter" to music, which Nottet himself considered a therapy. The track is followed by "Wolves" with British singer Raphaella, featuring them performing a combination of singing and howling. Its instrumentation contains "light" percussion. Critics labelled "Hungry Heart" a pop song and noticed the inclusion of several guitar riffs. In an interview, Nottet stated that the recording lyrically represents a love song between a human and its reflection. Recording artist Landsbert-Noon speaks for a second and last time on "Peculiar and Beautiful" over a "dramatic" background. He content-wise references Selfocracy{{'s}} opening title track, and advises listeners to "reflect again on [their] excessive use of mirrors". Lyrics include: "Be you/Simply you/ That'll be enough/Believe me". Closing Selfocracy, the "dramatic" "Mirror" includes "subtle links" to other songs from the album. In the lyrics, Nottet encourages the listener to "break that glass" and not let reflections overrule them. Goncalves of Pure Charts compared the track to the work of Sia.

Music critics had positive reviews for Selfocracy. Kosmala of Mademoizelle stated: "[The album] touches by its sincerity, and impresses with the vocal capacities of Nottet which manage to create a separate and captivating atmosphere." Steven Bellery, writing for RTL, also praised Nottet's "androgynous" voice, while referring to the album as a "dark, chimerical, lyrical universe".{{cite news|url=https://www.rtl.fr/culture/musique/loic-nottet-sort-un-album-cinematographique-roch-voisine-la-joue-pop-7787864114|title=Loïc Nottet sort un album cinématographique, Roch Voisine la joue pop|trans-title=Loïc Nottet releases a cinematographic album, while Roch Voisine chooses pop|language=fr|publisher=RTL|date=29 March 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Bellery, Steven|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608151743/http://www.rtl.fr/culture/musique/loic-nottet-sort-un-album-cinematographique-roch-voisine-la-joue-pop-7787864114|archive-date=2017-06-08|url-status=live}} Alongside commending the singer's delivery, Lucie Valais of RTL2 identified "lyrical flights, poetry and powerful melodies". An editor for Virgin Radio praised the songs' production and Nottet's maturity, while picking "Poision" as the highlight from Selfocracy. Le Parisien{{'s}} Éric Bureau thought that the "maturity" and "darkness" of the writing on the album was reminiscent to that of Marina Kaye,{{cite news|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/albums/videos-musique-dr-loic-et-mr-nottet-31-03-2017-6811485.php|title=Dr. Loïc et Mr. Nottet|trans-title=Dr. Loïc and Mr. Nottet|language=fr|date=31 March 2017|access-date=31 August 2018|author=Bureau, Éric|newspaper=Le Parisien}} while Newsmonkey found that Nottet's love of horror films reflected on the album's material.

Christophe Segard of website Aficia gave Selfocracy four-and-a-half points out of five, and wrote: "Dark, intense, tortured, raw... [...] 12 titles perfectly produced, an authentic album [that shows] maturity [and] great darkness, but which does not cause addiction."{{cite news|url=https://www.aficia.info/critiques-musique/selfocracy-loic-nottet-livre-un-premier-album-intense-et-sombre/103917|title='Selfocracy': Loïc Nottet livre un premier album intense et sombre|trans-title='Selfocracy': Loïc Nottet presents an intense and sombre debut album|language=fr|date=8 April 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Segard, Christophe|publisher=Aficia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109111315/http://www.aficia.info/critiques-musique/selfocracy-loic-nottet-livre-un-premier-album-intense-et-sombre/103917|archive-date=2018-01-09|url-status=live}} In another article, Segard listed the album track "Poison" in his 2017 in 10 Tracks list.{{cite news|url=https://www.aficia.info/playlists/2017-10-titres-christophe-segard-loic-nottet-hurts-milky-chance/136188|title=2017 en 10 titres par Christophe Segard avec Loic Nottet, Hurts, Milky Chance…|trans-title=2017 in 10 Tracks with Christophe Segard, including Loic Nottet, Hurts, Milky Chance...|language=fr|publisher=Aficia|author=Segard, Christophe|date=29 December 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807021953/http://www.aficia.info/playlists/2017-10-titres-christophe-segard-loic-nottet-hurts-milky-chance/136188|archive-date=2018-08-07|url-status=live}} Giving the album ten out of ten points and picking "Mud Blood" as its best track, Antranig Shokayan of Wiwibloggs concluded: "It is difficult to find a weak link as each song stands on its own and they come together to form a perfect collection". Melty ranked the album at number three in their Best Pop Albums of the Year list, following Number 1 Angel by Charli XCX and Melodrama by Lorde.{{cite news|url=https://www.melty.fr/taylor-swift-loic-nottet-lorde-les-meilleurs-albums-pop-de-l-annee-a635080.html|title=Taylor Swift, Loïc Nottet, Lorde... Les meilleurs albums pop de l'année|trans-title=Taylor Swift, Loïc Nottet, Lorde... The best pop albums of the year|publisher=Melty|date=20 December 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|author=Rajona, Wyzman|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224174430/https://www.melty.fr/taylor-swift-loic-nottet-lorde-les-meilleurs-albums-pop-de-l-annee-a635080.html|archive-date=2017-12-24|url-status=live}} Jonathan Currinn of website CelebMix labelled Selfocracy as one of his favorite albums of 2017, and praised Nottet's vocal delivery as well as the contributions of the featuring artists. Currinn concluded: "Every single track on this album is complete and impressive. They're all uniquely catchy and show Nottet’s versatility. [...] This is a faultless debut album".

File:Loïc_Nottet_sur_scène_le_23_avril_2017.jpg

Selfocracy was aided by two singles—"Million Eyes" and "Mud Blood"—released on 27 October 2016 and 17 March 2017, respectively.{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/be/album/million-eyes-single/1167532462|title=Million Eyes – Single by Loïc Nottet on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|date=27 October 2016|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906034044/https://itunes.apple.com/be/album/million-eyes-single/id1167532462|archive-date=2017-09-06|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mud-Blood/dp/B06XJ6W9ZF|title=Mud Blood by Loïc Nottet on Amazon Music|publisher=Amazon|date=17 March 2017|access-date=1 September 2018}} Alongside several live performances,For live performances of "Million Eyes":

• {{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JCwU7711Z0|title=Verbluffend! Loïc Nottet brengt zijn nieuwe single Million Eyes!|trans-title=Stunning! Loïc Nottet performs his new single Million Eyes!|publisher=YouTube|language=nl|date=5 November 2016|access-date=31 August 2018}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-million-eyes-son-superbe-live-dans-danse-avec-les-stars-a580665.html|title=Loïc Nottet: 'Million Eyes', son superbe live dans Danse avec les Stars|trans-title=Loïc Nottet performs 'Million Eyes' live amazingly on Danse avec les stars|publisher=Virgin Radio|language=fr|date=19 December 2016|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602153742/https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-million-eyes-son-superbe-live-dans-danse-avec-les-stars-a580665.html|archive-date=2017-06-02|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbJ0eXpNiNE|title=Loïc Nottet, en Live – C à vous – 18/01/2017|publisher=YouTube|date=18 January 2017|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121033151/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbJ0eXpNiNE|archive-date=2017-01-21|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.rfm.fr/news/RFM-Music-Live-Paris-le-resume|title=RFM Music Live Paris: le résumé!|trans-title=RFM Music Live Paris: the summary|publisher=RFM|language=fr|date=29 March 2017|access-date=31 August 2018}}For live performances of "Mud Blood":
• {{cite news|url=https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-revivez-son-live-tres-sensuel-sur-la-scene-du-virgin-radio-live-a-toulouse-a595086.html|title=Loïc Nottet: Revivez son live très sensuel sur la scène du Virgin Radio Live à Toulouse|trans-title=Loïc Nottet: Review his very sensual live performance on the stag of Virgin Radio Live in Toulouse|language=fr|publisher=Virgin Radio|date=13 March 2017|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610135719/https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-revivez-son-live-tres-sensuel-sur-la-scene-du-virgin-radio-live-a-toulouse-a595086.html|archive-date=2017-06-10|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCn-Ti6-si0|title=Loïc Nottet: Mud Blood|publisher=YouTube|access-date=2 September 2018|date=26 April 2017}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX7ISr-phF8|title=Loïc Nottet – Mud Blood – Vevo dscvr (Live)|publisher=YouTube|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627133812/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX7ISr-phF8|archive-date=2018-06-27|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.rtbf.be/auvio/detail_concert-de-loic-nottet?id=2295630|title=Concert de Loïc Nottet – Selfocracy|date=7 January 2018|publisher=RTBF|language=fr|access-date=2 September 2018}} both benefited from a music video.{{cite news|url=https://www.programme-tv.net/news/evenement/danse-avec-les-stars-7/97478-loic-nottet-danse-avec-les-stars-6-danse-toujours-aussi-bien-et-le-prouve-dans-son-nouveau-clip-video/|title=Loïc Nottet danse toujours aussi bien et le prouve dans son nouveau clip|trans-title=Loïc Nottet always dances well, and proves that in his new music video|language=fr|date=28 October 2016|author=Olivier, Jade|publisher=Télé Loisirs|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106214916/http://www.programme-tv.net/news/evenement/danse-avec-les-stars-7/97478-loic-nottet-danse-avec-les-stars-6-danse-toujours-aussi-bien-et-le-prouve-dans-son-nouveau-clip-video/|archive-date=2016-11-06|url-status=live}} Commercially, "Million Eyes" peaked at number two in Wallonia and five in France,{{cite news|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/188076/Loic-Nottet-Million-Eyes|title=Ultratop.be – Loïc Nottet – Million Eyes|publisher=Ultratop 50|language=fr|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115081705/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/188076/Loic-Nottet-Million-Eyes|archive-date=2018-01-15|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lo%EFc+Nottet&titel=Million+Eyes&cat=s|title=Lescharts.com – Loïc Nottet – Million Eyes|language=fr|publisher=Les classement single|access-date=2 September 2018}} and was certified Gold by the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA) and Diamond by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP), respectively.{{cite certification|region=Belgium|type=single|artist=Loïc Nottet|access-date=2 September 2018|certyear=2017}}{{cite certification|region=France|type=single|artist=Loïc Nottet|access-date=2 September 2018}} "Mud Blood" achieved minor success in Wallonia.{{cite news|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/191d79/Loic-Nottet-Mud-Blood|title=Ultratop.be – Loïc Nottet – Mud Blood|publisher=Ultratop 50|language=fr|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902094206/https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/191d79/Loic-Nottet-Mud-Blood|archive-date=2018-09-02|url-status=live}} For further promotion, Nottet also launched his Selfocracy Tour, which ran for over one year from 22 April 2017 to 2 August 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.rtbf.be/tv/emission/detail_the-voice-belgique/les-news/article_loic-nottet-son-message-touchant-a-ses-fans?id=9989184&emissionId=3873|title=Loïc Nottet: son message touchant à ses fans|trans-title=Loïc Nottet: the touching message to his fans|language=fr|publisher=RTBF|date=6 August 2018|access-date=4 September 2018}} The singer predominantly performed in France and Belgium, alongside venues in the United Kingdom, Russia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany.For tour dates:
• {{cite news|url=http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/divertissement/musique/story/loic-nottet-j-ai-toujours-voulu-tout-controler-27156659|title=Loïc Nottet: "J'ai toujours voulu tout contrôler"|trans-title=Loïc Nottet: "I always wanted to control everything"|language=fr|publisher=L'essentiel|date=23 November 2017|access-date=4 September 2018}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.thonexlive.ch/representation/concert/9159/loic-nottet/|title=Loïc Nottet, l'aventurier de la pop et de la danse moderne annonce sa première tournée|trans-title=Loïc Nottet, the adventurer of pop music and dance announced his first tour|language=fr|access-date=4 September 2018|publisher=Thônex Live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-ajoute-des-dates-a-sa-tournee-francaise-a599423.html|title=Loïc Nottet ajoute des dates à sa tournée française|trans-title=Loïc Nottet adds dates to his French tour|language=fr|access-date=4 September 2018|publisher=Virgin Radio|date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506075737/https://www.virginradio.fr/loic-nottet-ajoute-des-dates-a-sa-tournee-francaise-a599423.html|archive-date=2017-05-06|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.bureauexport.berlin/de/2017/04/loic-nottet-mit-album-selfocracy-fuer-zwei-konzerte-in-deutschland/|title=Loïc Nottet mit Album "Selfocracy" für zwei Konzerte in Deutschland|trans-title=Loïc Nottet has two performanced in Germany with his album "Selfocracy"|language=de|date=10 April 2017|access-date=4 September 2018|publisher=Le Bureau Export Berlin}}

The album experienced commercial success on its release. In Belgium, it debuted at number one in Wallonia and at number three in Flanders. In the first territory, it stayed on the Ultratop chart for 68 weeks, of which six were atop the ranking. Selfocracy ended 2017 as the best-selling record in Wallonia, and was certified Platinum by the BEA for over 30,000 units sold. In France, the album debuted at number six with 7,706 in first-week sales.{{cite news|url=https://www.aficia.info/charts/ventes-de-la-semaine-14-lacrim-est-numero-un-des-ventes-loic-nottet-fait-sensation-et-jamiroquai-opere-un-retour-brillant/103828|title=Ventes de la semaine 14 : Lacrim est numéro un, Loïc Nottet fait sensation et Jamiroquai opère un retour brillant|trans-title=Sales of week 14: Lacrim is number one, Loïc Nottet makes a sensational debut and Jamiroquai achieved a great comeback|publisher=Aficia|language=fr|date=7 April 2017|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301224339/http://www.aficia.info/charts/ventes-de-la-semaine-14-lacrim-est-numero-un-des-ventes-loic-nottet-fait-sensation-et-jamiroquai-opere-un-retour-brillant/103828|archive-date=2018-03-01|url-status=live}} It went on to spend 18 weeks in the country's SNEP chart, and managed to move over 25,000 copies by December 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-105739.html|title=2017: quelles sont les déceptions musicales de l'année? Les chiffres!|trans-title=2017: Which are the musical deceptions of the year? The numbers!|publisher=Pure Charts|access-date=3 September 2018|date=23 December 2017|author=Goncalves, Julien|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224042334/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-105739.html|archive-date=2017-12-24|url-status=live}} It was later certified Gold. Selfocracy further charted at number 20 in Switzerland, and reached number five in the country's Romandie region.

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Selfocracy.

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Selfocracy

| writer1 = {{hlist|Nottet}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Nottet}}

| length1 = 3:06

| title2 = Mud Blood

| writer2 = {{hlist|Amy Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Alexandre Germys}}

| length2 = 3:04

| title3 = Team8

| writer3 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Luuk Cox}}

| length3 = 3:23

| title4 = Dirty

| note4 = featuring Lil Trip

| writer4 = {{hlist|Yannis Borrey|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Oddefellow|soFly and Nius}}

| length4 = 3:40

| title5 = Million Eyes

| writer5 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Cox}}

| length5 = 4:13

| title6 = Whisperers

| writer6 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Germys}}

| length6 = 3:05

| title7 = Poison

| note7 = featuring Shogun

| writer7 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet|Shogun}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Germys}}

| length7 = 6:39

| title8 = Cure

| writer8 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Germys}}

| length8 = 4:13

| title9 = Wolves

| note9 = featuring Raphaella

| writer9 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|ICO}}

| length9 = 3:18

| title10 = Hungry Heart

| writer10 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Germys}}

| length10 = 3:12

| title11 = Peculiar and Beautiful

| writer11 = {{hlist|Nottet}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Nottet}}

| length11 = 2:00

| title12 = Mirror

| writer12 = {{hlist|Morrey|Nottet}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Germys}}

| length12 = 5:08

}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Selfocracy.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Atanas Babaleski – Pro Tools engineer
• Isabelle Baleanu-Perisson – executive producer
• Jean-François Berger – keyboards
• Vincent Blaviel – A&R
• Nick Built – backing vocals
• Lionel Capouillez – mixing
• Gauthier Carbonneaux – mixing
• Charlie RG – keyboards
• Eric Chevet – mastering
• Luuk Cox – synthesizers, bass
• Zeb Daemen – photography
• Michel "Chelle" Dierickx – recording
• Jean-Pierre Dréau – A&R
• Han van Eijk – backing vocals
• F.A.M.E.'S. Project – choir vocals
• Allan François – guitar
• Alexandre Germys – synthesizers
• Lo van Gorp – backing vocals
• Mélody Grillot – executive producer
• Alex "Cores" Hayes – recording
• Georgii Hristovski – sound engineer
• Dan Lacksman – mixing
• Blaise Landsbert-Noon – speaking voice
• Paul Edouard Laurendeau – recording
• Ken Lewis – mixing
• Lil Trip – featured artist, vocals
• Dan Lacksman – recording
• Loïc Nottet – vocals, synthesizers, additional programming
• Oddefellow – programming
• Jody Pijper – backing vocals
• Raphaella – featured artist, vocals
• Pim Roos – backing vocals
• Dian Senders – backing vocals
• Shogun – featured artist, vocals
• SoFly and Nius – programming
• Sébastien Wery – piano

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (2017) ! Peak position
{{album chart|Flanders|3|artist=Loïc Nottet|album=Selfocracy|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2018|refname="Flanders"}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|1|artist=Loïc Nottet|album=Selfocracy|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2018|refname="Wallonia"}}
{{album chart|France|6|artist=Loïc Nottet|album=Selfocracy|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2018|refname="France"}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|20|artist=Loïc Nottet|album=Selfocracy|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2018|refname="Switzerland"}}
scope="row"|Swiss Romandie Albums (Schweizer Hitparade){{Cite web|title=Loïc Nottet – Selfocracy – lescharts.ch|url=http://lescharts.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Lo%EFc+Nottet&titel=Selfocracy&cat=a|publisher=Romandie Chart. Hung Medien|language= |access-date=6 September 2018}} |align="center"|5

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Position
scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten Albums 2017|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=21 December 2017|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053748/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|archive-date=2017-12-22|url-status=live}} | 70
scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels Albums 2017|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=21 December 2017|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053722/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a|archive-date=2017-12-22|url-status=live}} | 1
scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP){{Cite news|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-annuel/top-album-megafusion-annuel/?ye=2017|title=Top Albums annuel (physique, téléchargement et streaming)|publisher=SNEP|access-date=3 September 2018|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815173224/http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-annuel/top-album-megafusion-annuel/?ye=2017|archive-date=2018-08-15|url-status=live}} | 117
scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Position
scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2018&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2018|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=1 October 2021}} | 192

{{col-end}}

{{certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|relyear=2017|relmonth=3|certyear=2017|title=Selfocracy|artist=Loïc Nottet|type=album|award=Platinum|refname="cert"|certmonth=7}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|salesamount=25,000|salesref=|title=Selfocracy|artist=Loïc Nottet|type=album|award=Gold|access-date=9 January 2019|refname="cert2"}}

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

{{reflist}}

{{Loïc Nottet}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2017 debut albums

Category:2010s concept albums

Category:Electropop albums

Category:Loïc Nottet albums