Welcome to the Madhouse

Welcome to the Madhouse is Watson's debut album, and her first body of work since her debut EP The Kids Are Coming (2019), which featured the commercially successful single "Dance Monkey".{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3164199/tones-and-i-interview-debut-album-dance-monkey-macklemore/ |title=Tones and I is making her most honest music, and it's nothing like 'Dance Monkey' |work=MTV News |date=23 April 2020 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Roth, Madeline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424154641/http://www.mtv.com/news/3164199/tones-and-i-interview-debut-album-dance-monkey-macklemore/ |archive-date=24 April 2020 |url-status=dead}} In an interview with MTV News, she said the album would be predominantly self-produced, saying: "These songs are completely me and my own production. It's not swayed by other songwriters or by anyone that's trying to help me get a hit, because that's never been important to me."

Watson chose to add five additional songs to the record as a result of having spare time to do so. She stated: "I've taken the time to just really make sure it's what I want. And I want to add more music to the album. It will be my first ever album, so I really want to make sure I'm proud of it."{{cite web |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/tones-and-i-debut-album/ |title=Tones and I holds virtual conference, discusses upcoming debut album |work=Tone Deaf |date=1 September 2020 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Lochrie, Conor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513233959/https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/tones-and-i-debut-album/ |archive-date=13 May 2021 |url-status=live}}

Watson began recording for her debut album in early 2020, before suffering delays as a result of the Stage Four lockdown in Melbourne, which was enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elaborating in an interview about the recording sessions, Watson stated:

"I couldn't record a lot of the time in Melbourne; I wasn't allowed to leave the house. The music I wrote before I had to stop, because of the really intense lockdown, was really weird!

I wrote this song called "Welcome to the Madhouse"; I just wrote three or four really weird songs, that I'd never written like that before. I explained it like trying to pull inspiration from living Groundhog Day over and over again!"

On 25 February 2020, Billboard revealed that Watson was finalising her debut album.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9530100/for-tones-and-i-pop-stardom-was-never-part-of-the-plan/ |title=For Tones and I, pop stardom was never part of the plan |magazine=Billboard |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Frank, Alex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225183734/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9530100/for-tones-and-i-pop-stardom-was-never-part-of-the-plan/ |archive-date=25 February 2021 |url-status=live}}

On 1 September 2020, Watson revealed details of her forthcoming album on an online press conference, stating that she planned to release the album sometime in the forthcoming two to three months. She'd initially intended to release the album in August of that year.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/tones-and-i-shares-update-on-forthcoming-album-2742319/ |title=Tones and I says her debut album might be out in two to three months' time |work=NME Australia |date=1 September 2020 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Rose, Anna |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124062802/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/tones-and-i-shares-update-on-forthcoming-album-2742319/ |archive-date=24 November 2020 |url-status=live}}

On 13 November 2020, in an interview accompanying the premiere of "Fly Away" on Triple J's Breakfast with Bryce Mills, Watson revealed that the single was the first from her debut album.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/first-spin-tones-and-i-fly-away/12880178/ |title=First Spin: Tones and I returns with a spirited new track in 'Fly Away' |publisher=Triple J |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Fuamoli, Sose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113050920/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/first-spin-tones-and-i-fly-away/12880178/ |archive-date=13 November 2020 |url-status=live}}

On 13 May 2021, alongside the worldwide premiere of "Won't Sleep" on Triple J's Hobba & Hing, Watson confirmed the album and shared its title.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/tones-and-i-returns-new-single-wont-sleep/12814868/ |title=Tones and I returns with new spooky single 'Won't Sleep' and lets slip album name |publisher=Triple J |date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Fuamoli, Sose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514110039/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/tones-and-i-returns-new-single-wont-sleep/12814868 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |url-status=live}} She revealed the album's release date on 7 June 2021.{{cite tweet|user=tonesandimusic|number=1402058902099791890|title=MY FIRST ALBUM "Welcome To The Madhouse" is out July 16 and I have a new single 'Cloudy Day' coming this week...|date=7 June 2021|accessdate=8 June 2021}}

Welcome to the Madhouse was preceded by three singles. "Fly Away" was released as the album's lead single on 13 November 2020{{cite web |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tones-and-i-new-single-fly-away-19270/ |title=Tones and I returns with new single, 'Fly Away' |work=Rolling Stone Australia |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Jenke, Tyler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113071643/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tones-and-i-new-single-fly-away-19270/ |archive-date=13 November 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-tones-and-i-perform-fly-away-in-a-vineyard-on-ellen/ |title=Watch Tones and I perform 'Fly Away' in a vineyard on 'Ellen' |work=Music Feeds |date=15 April 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Gallagher, Alex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414235722/https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-tones-and-i-perform-fly-away-in-a-vineyard-on-ellen/ |archive-date=14 April 2021 |url-status=live}} and peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Singles Chart.{{cite web |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-02-08/ |title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 8 February 2021 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |date=6 February 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224035425/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-02-08/ |archive-date=24 February 2021 |url-status=live}} "Won't Sleep" was released as the album's second single on 14 May 2021{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/tones-and-i-announces-new-single-wont-sleep-2937735/ |title=Tones And I announces new single 'Won't Sleep' |work=NME Australia |date=11 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |author=Triscari, Caleb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511104956/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/tones-and-i-announces-new-single-wont-sleep-2937735/ |archive-date=11 May 2021 |url-status=live}} and peaked at number 77 on the ARIA Singles Chart.{{cite magazine |title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 24 May 2021 |magazine=The ARIA Report |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |issue=1629 |page=4 |date=24 May 2021}} "Cloudy Day" was released as the album's third single on 10 June 2021{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tones-and-i-new-album-welcome-to-the-madhouse-cloudy-day-1181794/ |title=Tones and I Announces Debut Album 'Welcome to the Madhouse' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=June 10, 2021 |author=Kreps, Daniel}} and peaked at number 31 on the ARIA Singles Chart.{{cite magazine |title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 21 June 2021 |magazine=The ARIA Report |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |issue=1633 |page=4 |date=21 June 2021}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Welcome to the Madhouse track listing

| all_writing = Toni Watson.

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Welcome to the Madhouse

| extra1 = {{hlist|Toni Watson|Dann Hume|Randy Belculfine}}

| length1 = 2:36

| title2 = Lonely

| extra2 = {{hlist|Watson|Belculfine}}

| length2 = 3:44

| title3 = Won't Sleep

| extra3 = {{hlist|Watson|Belculfine}}

| length3 = 3:17

| title4 = Westside Lobby

| extra4 = {{hlist|Watson|Capi}}

| length4 = 3:39

| title5 = Fly Away

| extra5 = {{hlist|Watson|Hume}}

| length5 = 2:58

| title6 = Sad Songs

| extra6 = {{hlist|Watson|Belculfine}}

| length6 = 3:14

| title7 = Just a Mess

| extra7 = {{hlist|Watson|Belculfine}}

| length7 = 3:51

| title8 = Child's Play

| extra8 = {{hlist|Watson|Belculfine}}

| length8 = 3:39

| title9 = Not Going Home

| extra9 = {{hlist|Watson|Hume}}

| length9 = 3:31

| title10 = Dark Waters

| extra10 = {{hlist|Watson|Konstantin Kersting}}

| length10 = 3:34

| title11 = Cloudy Day

| extra11 = {{hlist|Watson|Hume}}

| length11 = 3:05

| title12 = You Don't Know My Name

| extra12 = {{hlist|Watson|Hume|Belculfine}}

| length12 = 3:14

| title13 = Fall Apart

| extra13 = {{hlist|Watson|Hume}}

| length13 = 4:08

| title14 = Bars (RIP T)

| extra14 = {{hlist|Watson|Belculfine}}

| length14 = 1:59

| total_length = 46:29

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus tracks{{Cite web|url=https://wmg.jp/tonesandi/discography/24694/|title=Tones and I/トーンズ・アンド・アイ「Welcome To The Madhouse / ウェルカム・トゥ・ザ・マッドハウス」 {{!}} Warner Music Japan|work=ワーナーミュージック・ジャパン {{!}} Warner Music Japan|accessdate=June 21, 2021|language=ja-JP}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 52:47

| title15 = Fly Away

| note15 = Jonas Blue Remix

| extra15 = {{hlist|Watson|Hume|Jonas Blue}}

| length15 = 3:13

| title16 = Ur So F**king Cool

| note16 = Top of the Pops Radio Edit 2021

| extra16 = {{hlist|Watson|Steve Mac}}

| length16 = 2:53

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks – The Kids Are Coming

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length =

| title15 = The Kids Are Coming

| extra15 = Watson

| length15 = 3:24

| title16 = Dance Monkey

| extra16 = Kersting

| length16 = 3:29

| title17 = Colourblind

| extra17 = Watson

| length17 = 3:26

| title18 = Johnny Run Away

| extra18 = Kersting

| length18 = 3:12

| title19 = Jimmy

| extra19 = Kersting

| length19 = 3:43

| title20 = Never Seen the Rain

| extra20 = Kersting

| length20 = 3:20

}}

Credits are based on the deluxe version track listing.

• Toni Watson – vocals, all instruments
• Andrei Eremin – mastering
• Dann Hume – mixing (tracks 1, 4, 5, 9, 11–13), programming (5)
• Randy Belculfine – mixing (2, 3, 6–8, 14, 15), engineering (1–3, 6–8, 11–15)
• Konstantin Kersting – mixing (10, 16, 18–20), engineering (16, 18–20)
• Kenny Harmon – mixing, engineering (17)
• Daniel Frizza – engineering (1, 2, 6, 11)
• Richard Stolz – engineering (1, 4, 9, 10)
• Garrett Kato – vocal engineering (16)
• The Cho1r – choir (1, 2, 6)

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Welcome to the Madhouse}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Tones and I|title=Welcome to the Madhouse|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=November 8, 2022}}

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

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