''No Gravity'' is the second studio album by Barbadian recording artist

Shontelle Shontelle Delia Layne (born 4 October 1985), known mononymously as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer and songwriter. She released her debut album '' Shontelligence'' in 2008. Her second album, '' No Gravity'', was released in 2010. Her singles " ...

, released on September 21, 2010 by

SRC Records SRC (Street Records Corporation) was an American record label created by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind. It was a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and was distributed through Motown Records and Republic Records. Company history S ...

in the United States. The album was later released on October 18, 2010 in the United Kingdom. Initially scheduled for an August 2010 release the album had been in production since August 2009 and was pushed back by one month to include additional recording sessions with

Rodney Jerkins Rodney Roy Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), better known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists. Jerkins has won two Grammy Awards from 19 nomi ...

. It has been preceded by the lead single "

Impossible Impossible, Imposible or Impossibles may refer to: Music * ''ImPossible'' (album), a 2016 album by Divinity Roxx * ''The Impossible'' (album), a 1981 album by Ken Lockie Groups * The Impossibles (American band), a 1990s indie-ska group from Au ...

", which was released on February 9, 2010, and reached number 13 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. A second single, " Perfect Nightmare", was sent to American radio on August 31, 2010. The album debuted at number eighty-one before falling off the chart the following week. In May 2011, according to a post on Shontelle's official Facebook page, the album was due for re-release in 2011. However it was revealed in August 2011, that Shontelle was working on her third studio album.

Background

Shontelle stated that the album would be experimental and rock-influenced and described the overall sound as "well-balanced". The album was delayed from its original August 24 release date to September 14 (later September 21) in order for Shontelle to collaborate with

Darkchild Rodney Roy Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), better known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists. Jerkins has won two Grammy Awards from 19 nomi ...

."Shontelle pushes album back to work with Darkchild"
2010-08-01. The Prophet Blog. Retrieved 2010-08-02. The late sessions with producer Rodney Jerkins, made one of Shontelle's dreams come true. She said he is someone who she "always wanted to work with", and that the studio sessions ultimately generated what is about to become the album's second single, "Perfect Nightmare". ''Beatweek'' described the song as something which "threatens to be a ballad for its first minute, but ultimately explodes into a dance-friendly number." The song "DJ Made Me Do It" was originally intended for twin sisters,

Nina Sky Nina Sky is a Puerto Rican-born musical duo based in the United States, consisting of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino. Their debut single "Move Ya Body", released from their Nina Sky (album), self-titled debut album in 2004, was a succ ...

, who recorded the song for their second album. But when their project was delayed the song's writers,

The Jackie Boyz The Jackie Boyz was an American multi-platinum singer-songwriter duo that consisted of two brothers, Carlos Battey and Steven Battey. The Jackie Boyz were acquired by Universal Music Publishing as songwriters in 2009. History The Jackie Boyz ...

Bruno Mars Peter Gene Hernandez (born October 8, 1985), known professionally as Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Regarded as a pop icon, he is known for his three-octave tenor vocal range, live performances, R ...

and Philip Lawrence, offered it to Shontelle because technically the song didn't belong to Nina Sky. Speaking about the title in August 2010 to UK urban writer Pete Lewis of ''

Blues & Soul ''Blues & Soul'' is a British music magazine, established in 1967 by John Abbey. ''The Independent'' has noted ''Blues & Soul'' as being the equal of magazines such as ''NME'' and '' Q''. ''Billboard'' magazine has called ''Blues & Soul'' "a r ...

'', Shontelle explained: "'No Gravity' became almost like this mantra that I adopted to my life and to the whole project... I basically thought 'I really can't let anything stand in my way; I can't let anything stop me from rising to the top; I can't have anything holding me down or holding me back. There has to be no gravity, so I can float higher and higher!"

Promotion

Shontelle has begun promoting the album with live performances and promotion on her website, ShontelleMusic. A viral three-part series, ''Uncovered'', began on June 22, 2010, and follows Shontelle in promotion for ''No Gravity''. Via her

Facebook Facebook is a social media and social networking service owned by the American technology conglomerate Meta Platforms, Meta. Created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with four other Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andre ...

account, Shontelle released five songs from ''No Gravity''. She will also be

Kevin Rudolf Kevin Winston Rudolf (born February 17, 1983) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his 2008 debut single " Let It Rock" (featuring Lil Wayne), which peaked at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot ...

's opening act on his upcoming To The Sky Tour. She was featured on ''Beatweek''s eighty-first issue. She is also scheduled to perform with former ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'' runner-up,

David Archuleta David James Archuleta (born December 28, 1990) is an American singer and songwriter. At the age of ten, he won the children's division of the Utah Talent Competition, leading to other television singing appearances. When he was twelve years ol ...

at WLAN FM's 'Birthday Barndance' on September 24, 2010, at the Pullo Centre.

Singles

" was released as the lead single from the album on February 9, 2010, for digital download, but failed to garner success until May 2010. The single has reached number thirteen on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Shontelle's most successful single to date. It was to be released in the United Kingdom, by digital download, on September 13, 2010. A music video was filmed for the single and released in March 2010. " Perfect Nightmare" was sent to US radio on August 31, 2010, as the album's second single. Sara Anderson of AOL Radio Blog mentioned the song, saying, "Opening with a haunting piano melody, by 1:08 'Perfect Nightmare' turns into to poppy, club-driven anthem, as Shontelle struggles to break free from a damaging relationship." Robbie Dow of Idolator said, "And while she can't seem to shake the pesky gent she describes in the tune, we're finding Shon's latest to be equally irresistible. It's certainly a step in the right direction for the 24-year-old, for whom Top 10 hit status in the US has so far been elusive." The official music video premiered on October 1, 2010. "Say Hello to Goodbye" is the third single of the album. It was sent to US

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radio on March 15, 2011. The music video premiered on VEVO on May 27, 2011.

Other songs

"Licky (Under the Covers)", which features

DJ Frank E Justin Franks, known professionally as DJ Frank E, is an American DJ and music producer from Denver, Colorado. Frank E started working closely with Adelio Lombardi, founder of Side 3 Entertainment and owner of Side 3 Studios in Denver, while wo ...

, was originally to be the lead international single and the second US single. It was later revealed that the track was not to be included on the album, though it is included as a bonus track on the UK digital editions of the album. A video was made for the track in January 2010.

Critical reception

The album received an aggregated review score of 55 out of 100 which signifies mixed reviews. Although some critics praised the album's slow ballads, there was general criticisms for the lack of originality or distinguishable sound. Carmen Castro of ''The Canadian Press'' was disappointed with the album's lack of an original sound. "Give her credit for her powerful vocals on 'Impossible', though the songs she sings add nothing to the well-worn subject of heartbreak. The lyrics are filled with the same misguided, lonely thoughts of a distraught woman... On 'No Gravity,' the 23-year-old proves she has yet to find her own signature style. It sounds too similar to

Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. One of the List of music artists by net worth, wealthiest musicians in the world, List of awards and nominations received by Rihanna, her vario ...

's up-tempo dance material... Shontelle has talent; she just needs time to find her own identity before she can soar. Shontelle hits the right notes on "Impossible", the CD's only standout track." Andy Kellman of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

also gave the album a negative review saying that "her functional dance-pop material and temperate ballads could be delivered by any moderately talented vocalist from the Midwest." Additionally Kellman said that although 'Impossible' nearly became a top-ten hit, "it leaves no impression beyond the fact that it is a cathartic ballad of some sort." He described the up-tempo tracks as "get

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the job done for the dancefloor but lacking in character". When speaking of the album's other big ballad, 'Kiss You Up', he said "drifts with a gait so sluggish that any love interest would likely nod off by the second verse." Ken Capobianco from ''

The Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe,'' also known locally as ''the Globe'', is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Boston Globe'' is the oldest and largest daily new ...

'' said "Shontelle's 2008 ''Shontelligence'' was one of the most overlooked pop gems of recent years. This follow-up for the Bajan singer-songwriter drops all Caribbean influences and leans toward club tracks mixed with canny pop and emotional, hook-laden ballads." He criticised the songwriting for "recycling lyrics" but said that on some tracks Shontelle's vocals "gave the songs life" as well as stating that the "club tracks are the standouts". He ended by saying, "facile comparisons to fellow Barbadian Rihanna have shadowed Shontelle, but this should move her into the spotlight."Capobianco, Ken (2010-09-27)
"Shontelle, 'No Gravity'"
boston.com. ''The Boston Globe''. John Caraminica of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' gave ''No Gravity'' a mixed to positive review. He said "Shontelle's 'Impossible' is a lovely thing... The rest of ''No Gravity'' is a competent, sometimes exciting pop album, collects other attempts: in essence, a series of portraits drawn by people with radically different styles. Emotionally blank and appealing in an undistinguished way, Shontelle fits them all. But some shadows are worth dancing around." He compared the album to fellow Barbadian singer

, describing how the context of ''No Gravity'' makes it "difficult to not think of Rihanna" because the album sounds like "the direct musical reckoning Rihanna never made after her 2009 fight with

Chris Brown Christopher Maurice Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. A Pop music, pop and hip-hop-influenced contemporary R&B, R&B musician who works in a variety of genres, he has been called the "Honorific nic ...

." Charlotte Andrews from ''

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'' agreed awarding the album three out of five stars. She criticised the album's production calling it "white-washed R&B, upbeat dance tempos and glossy production" and pointed out that there was nothing original about the project, it could have been done "by any number of pop princesses" She concluded by saying "There are high-power vocals and infectious hooks throughout, but the subject matter – heartbreak, innocuous romance, tales of survival – feels vapid. ''No Gravity'' is seamlessly crafted but ultimately disposable, and lacks the kick needed to distinguish Shontelle from the sugary, auto-tuned R&B ranks". Tanner Stransky from ''

Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American online magazine, digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, ...

'' said the album had stand out moments such as "Say Hello to Goodbye" and "Kiss You" which show that she has "a knack for slower and (somewhat) thoughtful songs". The rest of the disk was criticised for being "rather unremarkable tour through uptempo styles, including techno, bubblegum, and club."

Track listing

Notes ** signifies a remixer

Personnel

Source: Adapted from Barnes & Noble. Management and legal *Robert Jah Carnes – management *Terence English - A&R *

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– publicity *Scott Felcher –

legal counsel A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law, draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system, as wel ...

*Evan Freifeld – legal counsel *Rob Heselden - A&R *Jason "Chyld" Kpana - A&R *Christie Moran – management *Matt Maroone –

marketing Marketing is the act of acquiring, satisfying and retaining customers. It is one of the primary components of Business administration, business management and commerce. Marketing is usually conducted by the seller, typically a retailer or ma ...

*Damien Gooding -

*Evan Rogers – executive producer ;Creative team *Robert Ascroft -

photographer A photographer (the Greek φῶς (''phos''), meaning "light", and γραφή (''graphê''), meaning "drawing, writing", together meaning "drawing with light") is a person who uses a camera to make photographs. Duties and types of photograp ...

*Sandy Brummels – art direction *Lorna Leighton – art direction *Yuseff -

hair stylist A hairdresser is a person whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person's image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, Hairstyle, haircutting, and hair texturing techniques. A hairdresser may ...

*Basia Zamorska - stylist Vocals *

Evan Rogers Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers are New York–based songwriters and record producers. They have produced hits for Ruben Studdard, Wild Orchid, Christina Aguilera and Evelyn Champagne King and helped build the career of Rihanna. In addition to b ...

–

background vocals A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are u ...

* Shontelle Layne – primary artist,

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of the ...

, background vocals *Hanne Sørvaag – background vocals *Ina Wroldsen – background vocals Musicians *Olav Gustafsson –

guitar The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...

*Martin Hansen – guitar *Jimmy Harry – guitar, keyboards *Rodney "

" Jerkins – keyboards *

Tony Kanal Tony Ashwin Kanal (born 27 August 1970) is a British-American musician, songwriter and record producer who is known for his work as the bassist and co-writer for the rock bands No Doubt and Dreamcar. His career outside of performing include ...

– bass *Ari Levine –

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a ...

s, keyboards *Eric "Jesus" Loomes – bass *

– guitar, drums, keyboards *Esbjörn Öhrwall – guitar *Harry Sommerdahl – keyboards Technical *

Arnthor Birgisson Arnthor Birgisson (Icelandic: Arnþór Birgisson; born 12 February 1976) is an Icelandic naturalized Swedish songwriter and producer. He moved to Sweden in 1978 (aged two) and has lived in Stockholm since. Information As young Arnþór att ...

– programming *Ari Blitz – mastering *Tommy Brown – producer, instrumentation *Brandon Cadell - assistant engineer *

LaShawn Daniels LaShawn Ameen Daniels (December 28, 1977 – September 3, 2019) was an American songwriter, vocal producer and arranger. Often in tandem with producer Rodney Jerkins, he is known for his songwriting work for R&B singers such as Brandy, Beyoncé, ...

– vocal producer *Mike "Handz" Donaldson – engineer *John Hanes –

Pro-Tools Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed and released by Avid Technology (formerly Avid Audio, Digidesign) for Microsoft Windows and OS X, macOS. It is used for music creation and production, sound for picture (sound design, au ...

*Martin Hansen – programming, producer, engineer *

Kuk Harrell Thaddis Laphonia "Kuk" Harrell ( ) is an American songwriter, vocal producer, arranger and engineer. He was a member of a songwriting–production team composed of himself, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The-Dream" Nash. In 2011, K ...

– engineer *Jimmy Harry – programming, producer, engineer, composer *Al Hemberger – engineer *Jordan Houyez – programming, producer *Seth Foster – mastering *Chris Fudurich – engineer *Rodney Jerkins – instrumentation *Djibril Kagni – programming, producer *Tony Kanal – producer *Chris Kasych – engineer *Ari Levine – programming, engineer *Thomas Lumpkins – vocal producer *Phillip "Princeton" Lynah Jr. – engineer *Terius "

The-Dream Terius Adamu Ya Gesteelde-Diamant ('' né'' Youngdell Nash; born September 20, 1977), known professionally as The-Dream, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for having written or co-produced songs for artists in ...

" Nash – remixing *

– programming *Larry Ryckman – mastering *

The Smeezingtons The Smeezingtons were an American songwriting and record production team consisting of Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine formed in 2009. The Smeezingtons were established in Los Angeles, California; the trio primarily served as the ...

– producers *Harry Sommerdahl – programming, producer, engineer *

Carl Sturken Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers are New York–based songwriters and record producers. They have produced hits for Ruben Studdard, Wild Orchid, Christina Aguilera and Evelyn Champagne King and helped build the career of Rihanna. In addition to ...

– programming, executive producer, instrumentation, producer *Brian "B-Luv" Thomas – engineer *Pat Thrall – engineer *Shelly Yakus – mastering

Charts

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:No Gravity (Shontelle Album) 2010 albums Albums produced by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers Albums produced by DJ Frank E Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins Albums produced by The-Dream Albums produced by the Smeezingtons Dance music albums by Barbadian artists Shontelle albums