Mad Love is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter JoJo. The album was released on October 14, 2016, through Atlantic Records.[5] Incorporating a base core of R&B, pop and soul music, it serves as her first major album release in a decade following 2006's The High Road. JoJo co-wrote every song on the album while also providing vocal production every song. The album was JoJo's only album release under Atlantic Records, as she left in August 2017 to form her own label under Warner Records.
| Mad Love | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 14, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2014–2016 | |||
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| Genre | R&B[1][2][3] | |||
| Length | 41:04 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer |
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| JoJo chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Mad Love | ||||
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Beginning in 2008, JoJo had recorded several incarnations of a third album while still contracted under Blackground Records. These incarnations were ultimately scrapped following JoJo's difficulties with the label and subsequent release from the Blackground Records in 2013. After signing with Atlantic Records in December 2013, the album then began production from scratch; the majority of the album was recorded in early 2016. Amongst those included are collaborations with rappers Wiz Khalifa and Remy Ma, in addition to Canadian singer Alessia Cara who features on the song "I Can Only." JoJo also worked with producers Josh "Igloo" Monroy, Jussifer, Rock Mafia, Matt Friedman, Oscar Holter, and MNEK, among others.
The album was preceded by the release of the lead single "Fuck Apologies" which features American rapper and Atlantic Records label mate Wiz Khalifa. The song became moderate success charting on the U.S. Billboards Pop Digital Songs chart, peaking at number forty. It became JoJo's first charting single in the UK since 2007's "Anything", peaking at number 104 on the singles chart and number 18 on the UK R&B Singles Chart. "Mad Love.", "FAB." featuring Remy Ma, and "Music" served as promotional singles leading up to the album's release. Mad Love was further promoted through the Mad Love World Tour.
Upon its release, the album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, some noting that the album became JoJo's "bold coming-of-age statement" that helped cement her maturity and vocal growth since her previous album. Mad Love debuted on the US Billboard 200, Current Albums, and Top Digital Albums charts at numbers 6, 4, and 2 respectively with 25,000 album-equivalent units, of which 19,000 were traditional album sales.
Background and development
Following the release of "Anything"—the final single from her second studio album The High Road—in late 2007, JoJo stated that she had been writing and working with producers for her third studio album, but would not go into the studio until early 2008.[6] In mid-2008, JoJo said that her third album, then-titled All I Want Is Everything, was scheduled for a fourth-quarter release that year.[7] Due to difficulties with her label Blackground Records, the year passed without a release. Following numerous delays, on February 28, 2011, JoJo revealed the album would instead be titled Jumping Trains."[8] The album again did not see a release and JoJo continued to face difficulties with her label. She was subsequently released from Blackground Records in December 2013 and recordings with the label were ultimately shelved.
Senior Vice President of A&R at Atlantic Records at the time, Aaron Bay-Schuck orchestrated the deal and was instrumental to JoJo's signing with Atlantic Records in January 2014.[9][10][11][12] JoJo then began working on her third studio album for the label. However, on November 9, 2014, it was announced that Schuck would be leaving his position at Atlantic and was appointed the new President of A&R for Interscope Geffen A&M Records, thus leaving JoJo without an A&R at the label.[13][14] In an interview with Idolator, JoJo spoke about how the change affected the album's development, stating: "The A&R that signed me, Aaron Bay-Schuck, left and went to Interscope... He called me and was like, 'I have this thing. I don't wanna leave you. I don't wanna lose you. But I need to go.' I said, 'I completely understand,' but then I was left at Atlantic again and just kind of didn't know what to do."[15]
On August 21, 2015, JoJo released the extended play III (pronounced "tringle").[16][17] Following its release, JoJo embarked on her second worldwide headlining I Am JoJo Tour. Initially, the tour and III's release was a reintroduction for JoJo into the industry with a major-label backing. During this time, a large portion of the album had already been recorded and all three tracks from III were originally set to appear on JoJo's third album. However, these tracks were ultimately not included on Mad Love, with JoJo explaining "I was given a lot of songs, I was recording a lot of things that didn't feel completely 100% authentic to me."[15]
In November 2015, during the I Am JoJo Tour, Levesque's father Joel died due to struggles with addiction. JoJo had also broken up with her boyfriend of two years. Following the tour's conclusion in December 2015, Levesque took a six-day rest from work during the first week of January 2016, where she booked a hotel and spent time with herself and re-evaluated her life. As a result, JoJo decided she was unhappy with the approach the album was taking. This resulted in III becoming its own standalone project, and JoJo began working on new material in early 2016, with only a few tracks from earlier recording sessions ("I Am" and "Good Thing") making it onto the Mad Love album. From September 9 to 15, 2016, JoJo uploaded short videos of her singing each song from the album on her Instagram account, revealing the track listing of the album.[18]
Concept and artwork
On July 28, 2016 it was announced that JoJo's third album would be titled "Mad Love". Speaking on the meaning behind the album's title, JoJo stated: "Mad Love. means so many different things, and I loved that about the title. It was one of the first songs that I wrote for this album, and I felt like it kind of shaped the intention of it, of this work. And, a phrase that I use in my family a lot, we say, 'I love you madly.' That's that 'I love you through it all, I love you as you are, I love you in a crazy way, in a deep way, in a way that other people might not understand.' And that's how I feel about music, and that's what my relationship is with my fans, and it's an intense, passionate love. That's also the love that I like to have in my romantic life. So, all of that is represented on this album."[19]
On September 7, 2016, JoJo revealed the album artwork via her social media accounts and announced the album would be available for pre-order on September 16, 2016.[20] The album design was created by Nick Malvone with photos shot by photographer Brooke Nipar. JoJo appears on the cover "looking fierce as ever" while the rest of the artwork is otherwise blurred by paint smears.[21]
Promotion
On June 6, 2016, prior to any official announcements for release of JoJo's third album. It was announced that JoJo would be joining Fifth Harmony on their 7/27 Tour as a special guest opener in promotion for their second studio album. The North American leg of the tour begun on July 27 in Manchester, New Hampshire before concluding on September 17 in Las Vegas.[22]
On July 26, 2016, JoJo debuted a short YouTube video that delivered a preview of new material, which included "Music" and "Fuck Apologies".[23] The following day, JoJo announced the release of her new album and also released the lead single "Fuck Apologies". to digital retailers. The song's accompanying music video debuted on JoJo's official website the next day.[24]
JoJo performed "Fuck Apologies" for the first time live during her first stop on the 7/27 Tour. She performed a clean acoustic version of the song on the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show on August 1, 2016, along with a cover of Shawn Mendes' "Treat You Better". On September 30, 2016, JoJo performed the song with Wiz Khalifa on MTV's Wonderland, where she also performed "FAB" and "Mad Love". On October 14, 2016, JoJo performed "No Apologies", the clean version of "Fuck Apologies", on Today on October 14, 2016, and on Good Day New York on October 20, 2016.[25] On October 22, 2016, Revolt TV aired an original concert show titled "Revolt Sessions" in which JoJo performed "Fuck Apologies".[26] A Remix EP of "FAB" was released on March 3, featuring production from RealOnes, Kemist & DJ Braindead among others.[27]
Singles
The album's lead single "Fuck Apologies" featuring Wiz Khalifa was teased by JoJo on July 26, 2016 in a promotional video previewing new music.[23] The following day the single leaked in full online only hours before its release. The single was officially released as the lead single from the album on July 28, 2016.[28] The music video, which was directed by Francesco Carrozzini, for the song was released on July 28, 2016, through JoJo's YouTube channel.[29] The song debuted at number 40 on the US Pop Digital Songs Chart.[30] Internationally, the song peaked at 104 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 on the UK R&B Singles Chart.[31][32] JoJo performed "Fuck Apologies" for the first time live during her first stop on the 7/27 Tour closing her set with the song. On October 14, 2016, she performed the song live on the Today show.
After its initial release as a promotional single, "FAB" featuring Remy Ma was released as the album's second single on November 29, 2016.[4] A remixes EP for the single was released on March 3, 2017.[33]
Promotional singles
"Mad Love." was released as the first promotional single on September 16, 2016, along with the pre-order of the album.[34] JoJo released the audio video of the single on her YouTube channel.[35] "FAB.", featuring Remy Ma, was released on September 23, 2016, as the second promotional single.[36] The three letters form an acronym, which stands for "Fake Ass Bitches".[37] "Music." was released as the third and final promotional single on October 6, 2016. In conjunction with the announcement of the Mad Love Tour, the music video for FAB. was released on November 29, 2016.[38]
Tour
JoJo announced on Today that the Mad Love Tour will begin in early 2017.[39] On November 30, 2016 JoJo announced her third headlining and second major world tour in support of her third studio album entitled the "Mad Love Tour". The 60-date "Mad Love World Tour" will travel throughout Europe and North America with the first leg of the tour beginning on Jan 15 in Dublin, Ireland and traveling across the UK for the month before concluding on Feb 1 in London. The second leg of the tour largely takes place in North America and began on Feb 15 in Portland, OR and travels to clubs and theatres across the country stopping in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington, Houston and more wrapping up in Huntington, NY on May 3.[40] Craig Stickland and Stanaj were announced as opening acts for the UK and US leg of the tour respectively.[41]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 70/100[42] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [43] |
| Billboard | Positive[44] |
| Clash | 6/10[45] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[1] |
| Idolator | [2] |
| The Guardian | [3] |
| Pitchfork | 7/10[46] |
The album has received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, it has a score of 70 out of 100 based on 6 reviews.[42] Entertainment Weekly writer Nolan Feeney gave the album a B+ and wrote that JoJo's "well-documented struggles and triumphs inform her long-awaited third LP, Mad Love., and they turn her tales of love, friendship, and family into one bold coming-of-age statement".[1] Idolator writer Jon Reyes gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that JoJo is "sauntering in with Mad Love sounding totally refreshed".[2] Pitchfork writer Vanessa Okoth-Obbo gave the album 7 out of 10 stars and wrote that "Mad Love. sounds like an album that JoJo needed to make, and one that her fans were waiting for".[46]
Year-end lists
| Publication | List | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Stone | 20 Best Pop Albums of 2016 | 19[47] |
Commercial performance
Mad Love debuted at number six on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 25,000 album-equivalent units, of which 19,000 were traditional album sales in its first week. It charted three spots lower and with significantly lower sales than her second album.[48] Mad Love also debuted on the Current Billboard Albums & Billboard's Top Digital Albums chart at number 4 and number 2 respectively.[48] It became JoJo's first entry on the chart in 10 years.[48] In its second week Mad Love dropped from number six to one hundred and eleven on the Billboard 200 on the week starting November 12, 2016.[49] In its third week the album left the Billboard 200 chart.[50]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Music" | Jussifer | 3:35 | |
| 2. | "I Can Only" (featuring Alessia Cara) |
| Jussifer | 3:20 |
| 3. | "Fuck Apologies" (featuring Wiz Khalifa) |
|
| 3:15 |
| 4. | "FAB" (featuring Remy Ma) |
| Jussifer | 3:35 |
| 5. | "Mad Love" |
| 4:04 | |
| 6. | "Vibe" |
| Rock Mafia | 3:07 |
| 7. | "Honest" |
| Jack & Coke[b] | 5:20 |
| 8. | "Like This" |
| Monroy | 3:41 |
| 9. | "Edibles" |
| Jussifer | 3:49 |
| 10. | "High Heels" |
|
| 3:21 |
| 11. | "I Am" |
| 3:57 | |
| Total length: | 41:04 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Clovers" |
| Monroy | 3:24 |
| 13. | "Reckless" |
|
| 3:42 |
| 14. | "Good Thing" |
|
| 3:30 |
| 15. | "Rise Up" |
| Jack & Coke | 3:24 |
| Total length: | 55:04 | |||
Notes
- ^[a] denotes vocal producer
- ^[b] Track 7, "Honest" contains a hidden track titled "Cold" on the CD and digital versions of the album. It begins first behind "Honest." with the latter commencing approximately one minute and 19 seconds (1:19) into the track.[52][53]
Personnel
Adapted from AllMusic and the album liner notes.[54]
Creativity and management
- Gita Williams – management
- Katie Gallagher – management
- Chris Smith – management
- Evan Lipschutz – A&R
- Doug Davis – legal
- Benjamin Landry – Atlantic Business and legal affairs
- Anne Declemente – A&R administration
- Nina Webb – marketing
- Brooks Roach – marketing
- Carolyn Tracey – project director
- Nick Malvone Bilardello – art direction, design
- Brook Nipar – photographer
- Dante Marshall – additional photographer
- Tom Coyne – mastering
Performers
- JoJo – lead vocals, background vocals
- Alessia Cara – featured artist (track 2 "I Can Only.")
- Wiz Khalifa – featured artist (track 3 "Fuck Apologies.")
- Remy Ma – featured artist (track 4 "FAB.")
- Hayley Warner – background vocals
- Jakob Hazell – background vocals
- Jason Dean – background vocals
- Joseph Kirkland – background vocals
- Svante Halldin – background vocals
Technical
- Delbert Bowers – mixing
- Dexter Cabellon – assistant engineer
- Eric Dawkins – vocal producer
- Niklas Flyckt – mixing
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Ryan Gladieux – engineer, mixing
- Steve Hammons – engineer
- John Hanes – mixing engineer
- Adam Hawkins – mixing
- Oscar Holter – producer
- Jack & Coke – producer
- Jussi Karvinen – producer
- Joanna Levesque – vocal producer
- Josh "Igloo" Monroy – engineer, mixing, producer
- Erm Navarro – trombone
- Noah Passovoy – engineer
- Rock Mafia – mixing, producer
- T.J. Routon – producer
- Jacob Scesney – baritone saxophone, saxophone
- Joakim Söderström – mixing assistant
Charts
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[55] | 48 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[56] | 126 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[57] | 22 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[58] | 104 |
| France Digital Albums Sales (SNEP)[59] | 200 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA)[60] | 70 |
| New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[61] | 1 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[62] | 87 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[63] | 46 |
| US Billboard 200[64] | 6 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Version | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | October 14, 2016 |
| Digital download | Atlantic | [51] |
| United States | Standard |
| [65] | ||
| February 3, 2017 | LP | [66] |