Evolution (Sabrina Carpenter Album)

''Evolution'' (stylized as ''EVOLution'') is the second studio album by American singer Sabrina Carpenter, released on October 14, 2016, by Hollywood Records. Carpenter began recording the album in 2015, shortly after the launch of her first project, '' Eyes Wide Open'' until 2016. Musically, ''Evolution'' is a dance-pop record, which departs from the folk-pop and teen pop sound of its predecessor. ''Evolution'' received positive reviews from music critics and reached number 28 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart.

Promotion

"Smoke and Fire" was originally intended to be the lead single from ''Evolution'', but it was eventually excluded from the track listing; Carpenter later said that this was due to the "evolution" occurring after the song. Carpenter also said the track was "was the first story that I was waiting to tell out of the many stories from the second album", and that she intended for it to be the first single because she felt that it was a great transition from '' Eyes Wide Open''. According to Carpenter, the song's music video "show flashback memories of an innocent love story in the midst of post breakup beauty and heartbreak."

"On Purpose" was released as the lead single from ''Evolution'' on July 29, 2016. "Thumbs" impacted Top 40 radio as the second single from the album on January 3, 2017. The album was made available for pre-order alongside the first promotional single, "All We Have Is Love", released on September 23, 2016. "Run and Hide" was released as the second promotional single on September 30, 2016.

Live performances

To promoted the album, Carpenter embarked on the Evolution Tour through the United States from October to December 2016. She also embarked on The De-Tour, in which she toured both the United States and Canada in July and August 2017, featuring Alex Aiono and New Hope Club as special guests. On April 18, 2017, Carpenter performed "Thumbs" on ''The Late Late Show with James Corden''.

In 2017, Carpenter performed "Thumbs", "On Purpose", and "Feels Like Loneliness" at the Pandora Headquarters, with all three performances later released under the title the "Pandora Sessions" on both Pandora and Spotify.

Critical reception

''Evolution'' was met with positive reviews, with critics complimenting Carpenter's sense of maturity and growth on the album in comparison to her debut album. Christine M. Sellers of ''The Celebrity Cafe'' wrote that Carpenter "proves she's not just another Disney darling transitioning through her teenage years" and that the album "showcases Carpenter's growth as both a songwriter and a vocalist". Brittany Goldfield Rodrigues of ''Andpop'' gave the album 3.8 thumbs up, saying that "with ''Evolution'', Sabrina is showing a mature musical side, willing to experiment with techno beats, lyrics and what she can do vocally. She provides an interesting indie yet synth take on pop music, and has clearly found a unique sound that she shines in, that separates her from the rest". Matt Collar from AllMusic gave the album a rating of 3.5 out of 5, noting its dance-pop sound and describing it as a "mix of heartfelt acoustic balladry, R&B-influenced pop, and dance-oriented anthems.

Commercial performance

''Evolution'' reached number 28 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, number 44 on the Australian Albums Chart, number 84 on the Canadian Albums Chart, number 98 on the Irish Albums Chart, number 171 on the Dutch Albums Chart, and number 181 on the Flanders Albums Chart.

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Evolution''.

Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered at

* Santa Monica, California
* North Hollywood, California
* London, United Kingdom
* Hollywood, California
* Los Angeles, California
* New York City

Performers and production

* Sabrina Carpenter – vocals ; backing vocals
* Ido Zmishlany – production, engineering ; additional vocal engineering ; mixing
* Nolan Wescott – piano, vocal engineering
* Serban Ghenea – mixing
* Erik Madrid – mixing
* Jorge Gutierrez – mixing assistant
* Steve Mac – production
* Priscilla Renea – backing vocals
* Chris Laws – engineering
* Dan Pursey – engineering
* Mitch Allan – lead vocals recording
* Phil Tan – mixing
* Jimmy Robbins – production, engineering
* Ryan Ogren – production, engineering, guitar, synth, bass, programming, backing vocals
* Halatrax – production, engineering, programming, backing vocals
* Nick Bailey – backing vocals
* Rob Persaud – production, engineering
* DJ Daylight – production, engineering
* Afshin Salmani – production, engineering, mixing, backing vocals
* Josh Cumbee – production, engineering, mixing, backing vocals
* Chris Gehringer – mastering

Design

* David Snow – creative direction
* Anabel Sinn – art direction, design
* Harper Smith – photography

Charts

Release history

References

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Hollywood Records albums
Sabrina Carpenter albums
2016 albums