Alchemical: Volume 1
| Alchemical: Volume 1 | ||||
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| Studio albumby | ||||
| Released | December 1, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2023 | |||
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| Length | 22:45 | |||
| Language | English | |||
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| Producer |
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| Dove Cameronchronology | ||||
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| SinglesfromAlchemical: Volume 1 | ||||
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Alchemical: Volume 1is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter and actressDove Cameronreleased on December 1, 2023, throughDisruptorandColumbia.After releasing her debut EP,Bloodshot / Waste,in 2019, Cameron originally intended to release a full album entitledAlchemicalbut ultimately split up the album in two halves. The album is primarily apopandalt-popalbum, with lyrical content centred around love, grief and self-reflection.
The album was preceded by the singles "Boyfriend","Breakfast "," Lethal Woman "and" Sand "." Boyfriend "gained viral attention onTikTok,received critical acclaim and reached top-twenty on theBillboardHot 100.Upon release, the album also received generally positive reviews with praise to the songwriting and Cameron's vocals.
Background and release
[edit]In 2019, Cameron released her firstEPtitledBloodshot / Waste.[3][4]After various single releases, Cameron announced in 2022 that she had begun work on a second EP and released the single "Boyfriend"which went viral onTikTokand reached top-ten in various countries.[5][6]After its release, Cameron reset her public music catalog, removing her first EP and other songs including "LazyBaby"from all streaming services.[7]She noted that she had changed her upcoming EP to a two-part album titledAlchemical.[7]On the album's split, Cameron noted that she "felt like [she] was writing the two halves in such different headspaces" calling it a "stark sonic page turn".[8]
On July 24, 2023, Dove toldVarietythat she was really close to finishing the record.[9]The album was released on December 1, 2023.[10]
Composition
[edit]Genres and themes
[edit]While the Emmy-winning star has been a household name [...] behind the scenes of Cameron’s success story, she's faced hardships that've forcibly kept her in touch with life’s harsh realities [...] Cameron, who’s seen a therapist for most of her life, approached writingAlchemical, Vol. 1by revisiting many harrowing experiences she’s endured.
Alchemical: Volume 1is primarily apop,alt-pop,andgoth-popalbum.[11][1][2]The album's lyrical content centres around love, breakups, self-reflection and grief and was described as a "looking glass into [Cameron's] intricate and impressively balanced mind".[1]The album also incorporates a mix ofballads,orchestral elementsandelectronic dance musicbreakdowns.[12][11]Washington Square Newswriter Eleanor Jacobs noted that the production team "utilizes deconstruction and are unafraid of mess as a means toward reflecting Cameron's honesty".[12]
Cameron has stated that she was mostly inspired by her mother and American poetJack Gilbert,adding that she loves to read poetry that "feels so human that [she's] reminded that we are eternal because all of these experiences are so varied and so many that it's actually universal".[13]
Music and lyrics
[edit]The album opens with the song "Lethal Woman".[10]The song was described as a "dramatic opening statement" and Cameron's vocals were compared to that of aDisney villain.[10][14]The song lyrically centres around a woman Cameron met at a party who exuded "confidence, sensuality and danger".[15]This is followed by the somberballad,"Still", which received a comparison toMykola Leontovych's, "Carol of the Bells".[15]Michael Cragg noted that Cameron's "sultry voice adds a sinister dimension".[11]
"Breakfast" was described as a "vulnerable track infused with rage".[7]Cameron noted that it "emerged from vulnerable conversations in the studio" and based it on an experience she had where there was "a power imbalance dynamic in a relationship with a straight man".[7]She added that while writing the song, she dived "into radical honesty to keep conversations going that were previously silenced, such as highlighting theLGBTQ+community and other marginalized groups ".[7]
This was followed by "Sand" which was called the album's highlight and spoke on a toxic and unrequited relationship, "capturing the complexity of navigating a relationship where love is imbalanced".[15]The song's songwriting received praise, being called "poetic and impactful".[12]Cameron originally wrote the song as a poem.[15]"White Glove" was called "camp-pop" and centres around living a luxury life with "with sex, money and drugs".[15]The song was compared to the opening track's darkness.[15]"God's Game" was described as haunting where Cameron sings about the "unpredictability of love" and vulnerability, noting that "[she] is no home for [someone]".[15]In the song, Cameron reflects on her career.[12]
"Boyfriend"was hailed as aqueer anthem.[7]The song "prowls around with a seductive swagger amid volcanic beat eruptions".[11]The album concludes with "FRAGILE THINGS" which was called ethereal and serene, with Cameron drawing parallels "between her doomed romantic relationship and a house of fragile things".[15]Cameron uses her low, sultry vocals on the finale, and is accompanied by a slow, high-pitched piano before building up to incorporate strings in a staccato manner.[15]The song was compared to a pensivewaltzthat likens an old relationship to a dilapidated house.[12]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Dork |   [10] |
| The Guardian | [11] |
Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews.Dorkwriter Martyn Young called the album "short, sharp and direct".[10]He called Cameron a rising star, noting that the album "leaves you tantalisingly, and wanting more from an artist on the precipice of pop glory".[10]Washington Square Newswriter Eleanor Jacobs also praised the album's songwriting although she noted some criticism for the tracklist, feeling that "the emotional arrangement feels too intentional to create any ongoing narrative within the tracklist, but is perhaps meant to establish a divide between the artist's past and present".[12]She called the album "rife with reminiscence as well as a longing for healing and conclusion".[12]
The Statesmanwriter Clare Gehlich gave the album high praise and felt it was "a culmination of Cameron writing music to process and express the trauma tied to her past relationships with moments of self-discovery".[15]The Guardianwrtier Michael Cragg gave the album three stars, and compared Cameron toBillie EilishandLana Del Rey.[14][11]Contrastingly, another writer for the same newspaper felt the album fell flat calling it a "failed experiment".[14]He called Cameron a "black sheep" amongstDisney-turned-popstarsOlivia RodrigoandSabrina Carpenter,critiquing the album's production.[14]
Promotion
[edit]Cameron has stated that she will embark on a tour sometime in 2024.[16]
Singles
[edit]"Boyfriend"was released as the album's lead single on February 11, 2022.[17]The song became a commercial success and reached 16 on theBillboardHot 100chart becoming Cameron's first entry since 2015.[17]It was certifiedplatinumby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA).[18]A music video was released and has since surpassed more than 70 million views.[7]
The album's second single, "Breakfast", followed in June 2023 and was released alongside a music video in response to the overturning ofRoe v. Wade.[19]The video went on to win anMTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message.[20]
On October 20, 2023, the single "Lethal Woman" was made available alongside the album's pre-sale.[21][22]On November 20, 2023, "Sand" was released as the album's last single alongside a music video.[23]
Commercial performance
[edit]Alchemical: Volume 1debuted at 41 on theUK Album Downloads Chart.[24]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lethal Woman" | Dove Cameron |
|
| 2:06 |
| 2. | "Still" | Cameron |
|
| 3:09 |
| 3. | "Breakfast" |
|
| Evan Blair | 2:28 |
| 4. | "Sand" |
|
|
| 3:39 |
| 5. | "White Glove" | Cameron |
|
| 2:30 |
| 6. | "God's Game" |
|
|
| 2:44 |
| 7. | "Boyfriend" |
| Blair | Blair | 2:33 |
| 8. | "Fragile Things" | Cameron |
|
| 3:33 |
| Total length: | 22:45 | ||||
Notes
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
- Dove Cameron– lead vocals (all tracks), background vocals (track 4)
- Ryan Daly – background vocals (track 1)
- Connor McDonough– background vocals (track 1)
- Riley McDonough– background vocals (track 1)
- Toby McDonough– background vocals (track 1)
- Allie Stamler – violin (tracks 2, 8)
- Jordan K. Johnson– drums, keyboards,programming(track 4)
- Stefan Johnson– drums, keyboards, programming (track 4)
- Michael Pollack– keyboards (track 4)
- Isaiah Tejada – programming (track 4)
- Evan Blair – background vocals, bass, drums, guitar, piano (track 7)
Technical
- Dale Becker –mastering(tracks 1, 2, 4–6)
- Eric Lagg – mastering (track 7)
- Rich Costey–mi xing(tracks 1, 2, 4–6)
- Alex Ghenea – mi xing (track 3)
- Evan Blair –engineering(tracks 3, 7)
- Stefan Johnson – engineering (track 4)
- Jeff Citron – engineering assistance (tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 8)
- Brady Wortzel – engineering assistance (track 4)
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2023) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Downloads Chart[24] | 41 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | December 1, 2023 | [25] |
References
[edit]- ^abcdIrvin, Jack."Dove Cameron on Revisiting Past Traumas to Write Her New Album (Exclusive)".People.Retrieved15 February2024.
- ^abOkechukwu, Nmesoma."Dove Cameron - Alchemical: Volume 1".Euphoria Magazine.Retrieved15 February2024.
- ^Spanos, Brittany (2019-09-27)."Disney Star Dove Cameron Launches Music Career With Solitary 'Waste' Video".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2021.Retrieved2019-09-27.
- ^Bergado, Gabe (September 27, 2019)."Dove Cameron Released Her First Original Music," Bloodshot "and" Waste "".Teen Vogue.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2019.Retrieved2019-09-27.
- ^White, Caitlin (February 11, 2022)."Dove Cameron's 'Boyfriend' Is Dark And Dramatic, Like A Queer James Bond Theme".Uproxx.RetrievedFebruary 26,2022.
- ^"Dove Cameron reveals how TikTok influenced the release of 'Boyfriend'".Dexerto.2022-03-04.Retrieved2023-12-14.
- ^abcdefgRichardson, Randi (September 16, 2022)."Dove Cameron says hit song 'Boyfriend' is 'super specific' to her own life".TODAY.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^Aniftos, Rania (December 12, 2023)."Dove Cameron Talks Exploring Her 'Personhood' on Debut Album 'Alchemical: Volume 1'".Billboard.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^Malkin, Marc (2023-07-24)."Dove Cameron 'Inches Away' From Releasing Debut Album After Writing 60 Songs".Variety.Retrieved2023-12-14.
- ^abcdefYoung, Martyn (December 1, 2023)."Dove Cameron - Alchemical Vol. 1".DORK.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^abcdefCragg, Michael (December 3, 2023)."Dove Cameron: Alchemical: Volume 1 review – high-camp, dark-edged pop".The Guardian.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^abcdefgJacobs, Eleanor (December 8, 2023)."Review: Dove Cameron's 'Alchemical: Volume 1' and the relationship between love and change".Washington Square News.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^Segarra, Edward (December 1, 2023)."Dove Cameron reveals writing essentials for songs like 'Shameless' on 'Alchemical' debut".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^abcdD'Souza, Shaad (December 1, 2023)."Dove Cameron: Alchemical: Volume 1 review – former Disney star's goth-pop bid falls flat".The Guardian.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^abcdefghijGehlich, Clare (December 17, 2023)."Dove Cameron shines in all of her gothic-pop glory with debut album" Alchemical: Volume 1 "".The Statesman.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^Major, Michael (July 24, 2023)."Dove Cameron to Release Debut Album This Year; Plans to Tour in 2024".Broadwayworld.RetrievedMarch 25,2024.
- ^abZellner, Xander (2022-05-11)."Dove Cameron Hits No. 1 on Emerging Artists Chart, Led by Hit Single 'Boyfriend'".Billboard.Retrieved2023-12-14.
- ^"American certifications – Dove Cameron".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedJune 6,2022.
- ^Houghton, Cillea (December 24, 2023)."Interview: Dove Cameron on Writing the Feminist Anthem" Breakfast "".American Songwriter.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^"Dove Cameron Thrives In Her Feminine Powers On Her New Single, 'Breakfast'".UPROXX.June 24, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2022.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
- ^Kennedy, Mark (2023-10-20)."Dove Cameron drops new spiky banger, 'Lethal Woman,' ahead of debut album 'Alchemical: Volume 1'".AP News.Retrieved2023-12-14.
- ^Gonzalez, Alex (October 20, 2023)."Dove Cameron Channels The Energy Of A 'Lethal Woman' On Her New Single".Uproxx.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^MacMenamin, Lex (November 13, 2023)."Dove Cameron Talks 'Sand,' Debut Album Alchemical Volume 1, and Surviving Heartbreak".Teen Vogue.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
- ^ab"Dove Cameron | full Official Chart History".Official Charts Company.Retrieved2024-01-03.
- ^"Alchemical: Volume 1 by Dove Cameron".Apple Music.Retrieved7 February2024.