Digital Distortion

Digital Distortion
Studio album by Iggy Azalea
Label Def Jam
Producer
  • Fuego
  • Chordz
  • Omega
  • Ryan Avilez
  • Louis Harden[1]
Iggy Azalea chronology
Reclassified
(2014)		 Digital Distortion
(2017)
Singles from Digital Distortion
  1. "Team"
    Released: 18 March 2016

Digital Distortion is the upcoming second studio album by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It is scheduled for release in January 2017.[2] The first track off the album, "Azillion", was made available for free streaming in January 2016. The album's lead single, "Team", was released on 18 March 2016.[3]

Background

On 10 December 2014, while reflecting on the year she's had and the struggles she faced in the years before, Azalea announced plans of an arena tour for 2015 and a second album through her Twitter account. The same day, she revealed the title of the tour, The Great Escape Tour, and the concept behind it: Azalea picturing herself as "a musical escape artist for people." Azalea stated that the name of the tour went along with the title of her upcoming second studio album, which would also be promoted on the tour.[4] On 4 May 2015, she released a collaborative single with Britney Spears titled "Pretty Girls", produced by The Invisible Men, who had previously worked with Azalea on several songs of her debut album and its reissue.[5] In March, it was announced the tour was being postponed to the Fall, with Azalea saying she'd take advantage of the free time to finish recording the new album, adding "I'd love to have an album at the end of 2015."[6] On 29 May 2015, it was reported The Great Escape Tour had been canceled and there would be a new tour planned around Azalea's new album to be released in 2016.[7] Azalea later clarified she "had a different creative change of heart" and would also be taking a break to figure out the progression she wanted for her sound and visuals.[8]

She explained the late album release date with the fact of her reality falling apart and the songs on the album have now become about her being single:"It's no secret, I kind of had my personal life fall apart".[9]

Recording and production

In January 2015, Azalea declared that she had started working on her second studio album.[10][11] In February 2015, during an interview, Azalea stated she was focusing on writing songs that don't necessarily have features as hooks and that was one of her goals for her album, "I really want to try to have some songs that don't rely so heavily necessarily on melody or other singers."[12] On that same month, Jess Glynne claimed she had worked on a song for Azalea with The Invisible Men and Nicola Roberts, "I can't imagine anyone else using it. She's put something on it and it sounds amazing, I don't know whether she's going to use it, but it's an amazing song."[13][14] In March 2015, while talking about the direction for the new project, she stated that with her first album being pushed back so many times she had "two years of recording on and off," which was reflected in the album a lot, "I talk about trying to make it, trying to breakthrough," concluding, "So my second album, now I don't have this problem. So I hope it's a little bit more up-tempo and just really fun. I just want to have something so summer and so girly, so loud and obnoxious and braggadocios."[6]

"I've known these guys since 2010; they were my first friends when I moved to L.A. When I arrived there, a lot of producers didn't understand my angle, but D.R.U.G.S totally got it and we ended up making my mixtape. I didn't even ask my label for a budget for this album—I just went to their house every day and we would just write stuff. I don't want to record with anyone else, ever."

— Azalea talks about rekindling her relationship with D.R.U.G.S.[15]

In June 2015, when asked details on her new music, Azalea explained she had scrapped six months of work to start from scratch,[16] later saying she would like to add more sounds she's previously used on mixtapes.[17] In August 2015, she confirmed that she had recorded six new songs and the album would have ten tracks.[18] In September 2015, Azalea revealed that her second album was being produced entirely by D.R.U.G.S, the production team that handled her breakthrough mixtape Ignorant Art (2011).[19][20] In October 2015, she noted she had been writing in the studio with Max Martin.[21] In December 2015, Azalea posted on Twitter she had been writing "some last minute hooks" with Bebe Rexha, adding that Rexha had encouraged her to "ugly-sing," "I felt very out of my comfort zone, which is always when the good stuff happens."[22] In February 2016, R. City mentioned they had worked with Azalea for her upcoming album.[23]

In an interview for the April 2016 cover story of Elle Canada, Azalea talked about the album's production: "I wouldn't say it's an angry album. It's still uptempo and fun, but it’s a little more grown-up and moody. I didn't want people’s commentary to take me away from the style of music that I make..." She referred to its sound being related with the title claiming that the album "has a bit of an electronic, digital influence, so the name fits sonically. But then, of course, topically, we all know the different things that were said about me in 2015," continuing, "it’s interesting that we live in this age of digital distortion where we're all distorting each other and distorting ourselves and our perception of who we all are, and none of it is really accurate anymore."[15] In March 2016, while speaking to etalk, Azalea emphasized: "My approach was different, I didn't think so much about what I thought would be successful. I just really wanted to have a good time in the studio and have fun creating stuff, trying not to have that pressure of having to succeed." She affirmed there would still be featured artists on the album and enjoying the "companionship" provided by them, despite also focusing "on trying not to have to lean so heavily on [collaborations this album]. My first single has no feature on it which was my number one goal, to try to achieve a song which was strong without needing somebody else to sing it," declaring to have had singing lessons in the previous year. Visually, contrasting to her "campy" and "kitschy" previous album looks, Azalea would try to be "a bit more fashion-forward."[24]

Release and promotion

In October 2015, Azalea announced the title of her second album, called Digital Distortion. She also announced that the album would be released in the following year, along with a buzz track, called "Zillion" and the project's lead single premiering before its release.[25][26] In December 2015, during a Twitter Q&A with fans, she revealed that the lead single would be titled "Team." During that month, she also shared snippets of both "Team" and "Zillion", along with another track tentatively titled "7teen", on Twitter.[27][28][29] On 8 January 2016, "Azillion" was released on her SoundCloud page.[30][31] After the track's premiere, Azalea claimed that her British label, Virgin EMI, did not "allow" a music video for the track among other frustrations, wanting to permanently switch to her US label Def Jam.[32][33] She then previewed the lenticular cover art for the album.[34]

In early March, Azalea announced "Team" would be released on 18 March and confirmed its music video was under production.[3][35]

Recorded songs

Songs recorded for the album:

References

  1. ↑ Williott, Carl (18 March 2016). "Iggy Azalea's "Team" Is Here: Listen". Idolator. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  2. ↑ Adams, Char (30 September 2016). "Why Iggy Azalea Delayed Her Album: 'You Wake Up One Morning and Your Fiancé Is Having a Baby with Someone Else'". People. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Iggy Azalea reveals cover art for new single TEAM". Entertainment Weekly. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Bobb, Maurice (10 December 2014). "Iggy Azalea's Planning Her 'Great Escape': Here's What She's Talking About". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Britney, Iggy Team Up for 'Pretty' Duet". usatoday.com. 26 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Iggy Azalea on social media, tour, new album, Britney Spears". yahoo.com. 19 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Schiff, Mark (29 May 2015). "Iggy Azalea Cancels The Great Escape Tour; New Trek Plotted for 2016". AXS. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  8. ↑ Rizzo, Monica (1 June 2015). "Iggy Azalea Reveals Why She Canceled Her Upcoming Tour". Seventeen. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Smith, Trevor (October 2, 2016). "Iggy Azalea explains that she needs time to make new material". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ Leight, Elias (26 January 2015). "Billboard Winterfest: Iggy Azalea Talks Grammy Awards, Her 2015 Tour, and Her Next Album". Billboard. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  11. ↑ Lynn Yaeger (24 March 2015). "Vogue Goes Shopping with Iggy Azalea for Her New Shape". Vogue. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Interview". Zach Sang (Youtube.com 30:00). 24 February 2015.
  13. ↑ Gordon, Diane (8 February 2015). "CeeLo, Charli XCX, and Kenny G Weigh In on the Iggy Azalea Controversy". Vulture.com. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Jess Glynne Reveals She's Written An Amazing New Song For Iggy Azalea". Capital. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  15. 1 2 "Exclusive: Iggy Azalea as you've never heard her before". Elle Canada. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Iggy Azalea says she scrapped six months of work". Entertainment Weekly. 12 June 2015.
  17. ↑ Coleman II, C. Vernon (13 June 2015). "Iggy Azalea Says She Scrapped Her Album, Started on Totally New Material". XXL. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (8 August 2015). "Iggy Azalea Gives New Album Update: Six Songs Completed, Single to Come in 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  19. ↑ Thompson, Paul (28 September 2015). "Iggy Azalea's New Album Is Produced Entirely By D.R.U.G.S.". XXL. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "Here's What Iggy Azalea Plans On Naming Her Next Single". Complex.com. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  21. ↑ Lee, Christina (10 October 2015). "Iggy Azalea Wrote New Songs With Max Martin". Idolator. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  22. ↑ Wass, Mike (17 December 2015). "Iggy Azalea Gives Another Update On Her Sophomore LP, Reveals She Worked With Bebe Rexha". Idolator. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "R. City Working With Meghan Trainor, Iggy Azalea: Video Interview". Fuse. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Iggy Azalea on her fashion and new album "Digital Distortion"". etalk (3:00). Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  25. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Teased Tons Of Info About Her New Music". MTV. 7 October 2015.
  26. ↑ Stutz, Colin (7 October 2015). "Iggy Azalea Announces Sophomore Album Title, Says Lead Single Out This Month". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  27. ↑ Nessif, Bruna (29 December 2015). "Iggy Azalea Teases New Single "Team" Off Upcoming Album Digital Distortion". E! Online. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  28. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (27 December 2015). "Iggy Azalea Shares 'Team' Single Title: Second Album Maybe Coming in April". Fuse. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  29. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Reveals Next Single Is Titled "Team"". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  30. ↑ "Azillion". SoundCloud. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  31. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Releases New Song "Azillion" (Listen now)". Headline Planet. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  32. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Blasts Her Label Over Lack Of Promotion For "Azillion"". Vibe. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  33. ↑ "Iggy Azalea claimed she's 'not allowed' to shoot a video for 'Azillion'". MTV. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  34. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Shares 'Digital Distortion' Album Artwork". Radio.com. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  35. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Reveals "Team" Release Date And Video Details". Idolator. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  36. ↑ "Iggy Azalea: 'I hate seeing my idols turn into washed up popstars'". Mtv.com.au. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Teases Second 'Digital Distortion' Buzz Track "Middle Man"". Idolator. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  38. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Announces Buzz Track "Zillion"". idolator.com. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  39. ↑ "New Music: Iggy Azalea - 'Azillion'". rap-up.com. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  40. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Name-Drops Future (Sort Of) and DJ Esco on "7Teen"". Complex.com. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  41. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (27 December 2015). "Iggy Azalea Says Next Single Is Titled 'Team'". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  42. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Shares Snippets Of New Single "Team" & Buzz Track "Zillion", Dishes On Upcoming Album "Digital Distortion" Big Time". Direct Lyrics. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  43. 1 2 Wass, Mike (11 January 2016). "Iggy Azalea Teases 'Digital Distortion' Tracklist". Idolator. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  44. ↑ "Iggy Azalea Reveals Inspiration Behind New Song 'Three Day Weekend'". Access Hollywood. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
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