In Pieces
Studio album by
Chlöe
ReleasedMarch 31, 2023 (2023-03-31)
Recorded2019–2023
Genre
Length37:20
Label
Producer
Singles from In Pieces
  1. "Pray It Away"
    Released: January 27, 2023
  2. "How Does It Feel"
    Released: February 24, 2023
  3. "Body Do"
    Released: March 24, 2023
  4. "In Pieces"
    Released: March 29, 2023
  5. "Cheatback"
    Released: March 31, 2023

In Pieces is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Chlöe. It was released through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records on March 31, 2023.

Background

My sister went to London to film her movie for seven or eight months, and it was so hard being without her. That is when I started creating my project. I found my confidence – like, "OK, you can do this now." I always have my sister's support, and she will always have mine, no matter what we do together or individually.

— Chlöe, speaking to Billboard in 2021.[3]

After eight years of releasing music under duo act Chloe x Halle, Chlöe began recording music for a solo project in late 2019. This was put on hold so that she and her sister could focus on promoting their critically acclaimed album, Ungodly Hour (2020).[4]

In January 2021, the sisters created separate Instagram accounts after having shared one for nine years under the Chloe x Halle name.[5] Halle was away from Chlöe for many months during this time, filming the 2023 live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid abroad after landing the lead role.[6] This was one of the longest periods they'd ever been apart.[7] Chlöe took to creating music by herself as a form of therapy. She started recording under the impression it would make part of Chloe x Halle's third album, but the music ultimately evolved into the groundwork for a solo project.[8]

Chlöe called the album "90% done" when speaking to Billboard in August 2021. She then revealed that she had been working on her debut album throughout the pandemic and that it would be self-titled.[9] Then, in March 2022, she announced via Twitter that the album was complete.[10] On March 16, she revealed the album cover art,[11] which is a recreation of a porcelain doll holding her heart in her hand that Bailey had seen 3 years prior.[12]

Promotion

On January 24, the singer announced her upcoming debut album with a short teaser video, previewing the song "Heart on My Sleeve".[13] In the video, Chlöe wears "a sleek red leather gown, acting as a scale as she holds a human heart on one arm and a sphere on the other."[14] Chlöe had originally chosen for the album to be self-titled but reworked the name to In Pieces because the music had "change[d] and it felt more vulnerable and raw."[15][16] The album was released on March 31, 2023,[17] with the release date officially being announced with another teaser video, previewing yet another snippet of "Heart on My Sleeve.[18] Speaking to Complex in January, she said "every single song on [the] project stems from my own experiences" and that fans could look forward to "exciting features and collaborations."[19]

On February 21, 2023, Beats Electronics released a commercial for a color collection of the Beats Fit Pro, premiering one of the upcoming songs from Chlöe's album "Body Do".[20] On March 28, 2023, Chlöe performed then-unreleased track "Cheatback" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[21]

Singles

Chris Brown (left) and Missy Elliott (right) are two of the artists that worked with Chlöe on the album.

Between September 2021 and October 2022, Chlöe released four singles intended for her debut album: "Have Mercy", "Treat Me", "Surprise", and "For the Night". These were announced as scrapped from the album following the release of "Pray It Away", the new lead single from the album.[22] She later explained that the album had evolved past the sound of the previous singles.[23]

After her recent album announcement, she teased an upcoming single through social media.[24] The lead single "Pray It Away" was released on January 27, 2023, alongside a music video.[25] The song is co-produced by the artist herself, ThankGod4Cody, ECassshh, Pitt Tha Kid, and Puredandy.[26] The music video is directed by Madeline Kate Kann.[27] The second single "How Does It Feel", featuring Chris Brown, was released on February 24, 2023, along with an accompanying music video. The third single "Body Do" was released on March 24, 2023, exactly a week before the album's release as a single. The title track was released two days before the album as its fourth single on March 29, 2023, with a music video.

On March 31, "Cheatback" featuring Future was released as the album's fifth single, alongside a music video.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic62/100[28]
Review scores
SourceRating
Beats Per Minute74%[29]
Clash7/10[30]
The Guardian[31]
NME[1]
Pitchfork6.1/10[2]
Rolling Stone[32]

In Pieces was met generally favourable reviews from the music critics, At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, In Pieces received an average score of 62, based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28] Mosi Reeves of Rolling Stone described the album as a "fascinating albeit uneven listen", adding that Chlöe's "chosen a sound that's more reflective of her contemporaries — caustically self-aware and skeptical towards sexual relations yet buoyed by her songwriting talents and vocal performances. [...] Give her credit for trying to turn her growing pains into prickly, sometimes enjoyable art, even if the Pieces don't always match the overall effort."[32] In a positive review, Clash's Shahzaib Hussain felt that Chlöe bridged "prayer with pop melodrama" and called In Pieces a "solid introduction" to her "R&B-pop oeuvre; an anxious, anguished and frenetically paced crossover project."[30]

NME's Sophie Williams, in a mixed review, highlighted the "wild R&B innovation" of In Pieces' production, but felt it was "let down by missteps". She explains that at times, the album stands as a "fragmented version" of Chlöe's songwriting and producing talents, writing that although its songs often contained "flashes of brilliance", they did little to "brighten the ambiance" of the album.[1] Echoing Williams' statements, Heven Haile of Pitchfork felt that the album's "generic songwriting and chemistry-free features" didn't support Chlöe's reputation as a "generational talent". She thought the "emotionally charged" and "conversational" interludes were out of place amid the "redundant themes and mind-numbingly online songwriting. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure with only two endings: There's a good-for-nothing man in her life who keeps betraying her, so will she A) give it to God or B) shake some ass and show him what he's missing?" Haile did, however, praised the "flirty and upbeat" standout single "Body Do", describing it as a "bumping dance track overlaid with ethereal falsettos" and a "convincing introduction to Chlöe the pop star."

Commercial performance

In Pieces debuted and peaked at number 119 on the Billboard 200.[33]

Track listing

In Pieces track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Someone's Calling (Chlöe)"Gus KahnCharles DanielsChlöe1:01
2."Pray It Away"
2:36
3."Body Do"Bailey
  • Bailey
  • James Whitcombe
  • Linden Bascom, Jr.
  • Chlöe
  • 2300
  • Smokey Beats[c]
2:22
4."I Don't Mind"Bailey
2:57
5."Worried"
  • Bailey
  • Feli Ferraro
2:47
6."Fallin 4 U"
  • Bailey
  • Shermay Barnes
  • Ruchaun Akers, Jr.
  • Jake Wogan
  • Aidan Crotinger
  • Scott Bridgeway
  • Jakik
0:52
7."How Does It Feel" (with Chris Brown)
  • Chris Brown
  • Racquelle Anteola
2:47
8."Feel Me Cry"
John Ho
  • Ho
  • Chlöe
3:29
9."Make It Look Easy"Bailey
  • Bailey
  • Anders Christiansen
  • Kasper Knudsen
  • Nicolai Andersen
  • Andreas Bigum
  • UpNorth
  • Chanelbigs
  • Chlöe
2:57
10."Looze U"
  • Bailey
  • T. Gesteelde-Diamant
3:57
11."Told Ya" (featuring Missy Elliott)
  • Chlöe
  • BoogzDaBeast
  • FnZ
  • Pyro Da God[c]
3:24
12."Cheatback" (featuring Future)
  • Bailey
  • Thomas
3:45
13."Heart on My Sleeve"Bailey
  • Bailey
  • Linden Berelowitz
  • Josh Taffel
  • Chlöe
  • Linden Jay
  • Taffel
0:57
14."In Pieces"
  • Ekko
  • Hope
  • Ekko
  • Hope
  • Chlöe
3:59
Total length:37:20

Note

  • ^[c] signifies a co-producer

Personnel

Musicians

  • Chlöe – vocals (all tracks), choir (track 2)
  • Claudia Cunningham – choir (2, 8, 9)
  • Dwanna Orange – choir (2, 8, 9)
  • Jenelle Dunkley – choir (2, 8, 9)
  • Princess Fortier – choir (2, 8, 9)
  • Princess Jones – choir (2, 8, 9)
  • Derek Dixie – choir (2, 9)
  • Jordan Shores – choir (2, 9)
  • LaMarcus Eldridge – choir (2, 9)
  • Michael Adkins – choir (2, 9)
  • Gabrielle Davis – background vocals (3)
  • Shermay Barnes – background vocals (4)
  • Gabrielle Garo – flute, saxophone (4, 8, 11)
  • Arnetta Johnson – trumpet (4, 8, 11)
  • Oliver Taylor – trumpet (4, 8, 11)
  • Ken Lewis – guitar (7)
  • Adrienne Woods – strings (9)
  • Bianca McClure – strings (9)
  • Chelsea Gwizdala – strings (9)
  • Marta Honer – strings (9)
  • Rhea Hosanny – strings (9)
  • Stephanie Matthews – strings (9)
  • Stephanie Yu – strings (9)

Technical

  • Colin Leonard – mastering
  • Chris Godbey – mixing (1–6, 8–14), engineering (1, 8, 10, 13)
  • Ethan Stevens – mixing, engineering (5)
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing (7)
  • Shawn "Source" Jarrett – mixing, engineering (7)
  • Simone Torres – engineering
  • James Krausse – engineering (1)
  • Lester Mendoza – engineering (2, 4, 8, 9, 11)
  • David "Pac" Urresta – engineering (3, 6, 10)
  • Patrizio "Teezio" Pigliapoco – engineering (7)
  • Brandon Harding – engineering (10)
  • Missy Elliott – engineering (11)
  • Natalie D'Orlando – engineering (11)
  • Vladimir Castor – engineering (11)
  • Chlöe – engineering (12, 13); vocal production, executive production (all tracks)
  • Rob Moreno – engineering assistance (1–4, 6–14)
  • Ryan Prieur – engineering assistance (1, 3–6, 8–12, 14)
  • Jules Everson – engineering assistance (2, 8, 9, 11)
  • Patrick Gardner – engineering assistance (3, 9)
  • Jeremy Dilli – engineering assistance (4, 10)
  • Jonathan Lopez Garcia – engineering assistance (14)

Charts

Chart performance for In Pieces
Chart (2023) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[34] 59
US Billboard 200[35] 119
US Top R&B Albums (Billboard)[36] 17

Release history

In Pieces release history
Region Date Format(s) Edition Label Ref.
Various March 31, 2023
Standard [37]

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 3 Williams, Sophie (March 31, 2023). "Chlöe – 'In Pieces' review: wild R&B innovation let down by missteps". NME. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    2. 1 2 3 Haile, Heven (March 31, 2023). "Chlöe: In Pieces Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    3. ↑ Aderoju, Darlene (August 27, 2021). "Chlöe Bailey Talks Feeling Her 'Most Liberated' On Upcoming Solo Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    4. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (May 14, 2020). "Chloe x Halle Releases New Song 'Do It' and Announces New Album 'Ungodly Hour'". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
    5. ↑ Aderoju, Darlene (February 3, 2021). "Chloe X Halle Launch Solo Instagram Accounts After 9 Years: We're 'Still an Ocean' with 'Two Seas'". People. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    6. ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (April 6, 2021). "Disney's Live Action 'Little Mermaid' Set to Shoot in Sardinia". Variety. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    7. ↑ Morgan, Joan (May 12, 2022). "Chlöe Takes Her Place Among the Hip-Hop Feminists". Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    8. ↑ Uwumarogie, Victoria (August 22, 2022). "Chlöe: Coming Of Age". Essence. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    9. ↑ Williams, Aaron (May 12, 2022). "Chloe Confirms That Her Debut Solo Album Will Be Self-Titled". Uproxx. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    10. ↑ Chlöe [@chloebailey] (March 20, 2022). "guys… i tried to hold it in but i finished my album a couple weeks" (Tweet). Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Twitter.
    11. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (March 16, 2023). "Chlöe Bailey Unveils 'In Pieces' Album Cover, Shares Powerful Inspiration Behind the Project". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
    12. ↑ "Chlöe Bailey Unveils 'In Pieces' Album Cover, Shares Powerful Inspiration Behind the Project". Billboard. March 16, 2023. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
    13. ↑ Blistein, Jon (January 24, 2023). "Chlöe Bailey's Debut Solo Album Will Finally Be Out Soon". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
    14. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (January 24, 2023). "Chloe Bailey Announces Debut Album 'In Pieces'". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    15. ↑ Garcia, Kelsey (January 25, 2023). "Chlöe's Debut Album Is Coming: Here's What We Know About "In Pieces"". PopSugar. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    16. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (January 26, 2023). "Chlöe Releases New Single 'Pray It Away'". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    17. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (January 24, 2023). "Chlöe Announces Debut Album 'In Pieces'". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    18. ↑ Jones, Cierra. "Chloe Bailey officially announces 'In Pieces' album release date". REVOLT. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
    19. ↑ Alysse, Bianca (January 9, 2023). "Chloë Bailey Talks Upcoming Album, Latest Partnership & More". Complex. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    20. ↑ Grant, Shawn (February 21, 2023). "Chloë Bailey Debuts New Single "Body Do" in New Beats by Dre Spot". The Source. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
    21. ↑ "Chlöe – Cheat Back". YouTube. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    22. ↑ "Chloe Bailey Announces Debut Album 'In Pieces' for March 2023". Miixtapechiick. January 25, 2023. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    23. ↑ Chlöe [@chloebailey] (January 28, 2023). "i still love those songs. but the body of work as a whole, they were sticking out. the album evolved so much" (Tweet). Retrieved January 28, 2023 – via Twitter.
    24. ↑ Bowenbank, Starr (January 25, 2023). "Chloe Bailey Teases New Single 'Pray It Away' With Stunning Candlelight Photos: Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    25. ↑ Zhan, Jennifer (January 27, 2023). "Chlöe's 'Pray It Away' Video Takes Us to Church". Vulture Magazine. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    26. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (January 26, 2023). "Chlöe Releases New Single 'Pray It Away'". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    27. ↑ Saint-Vil, Sweenie (January 27, 2023). "Chloe Bailey releases new song, 'Pray It Away,' and its accompanying video". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
    28. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for In Pieces by Chlöe". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    29. ↑ Martins, Lucas (March 31, 2023). "Album Review: Chlöe – In Pieces | Beats Per Minute". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    30. 1 2 Hussain, Shahzaib (March 31, 2023). "Chlöe – In Pieces". Clash. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    31. ↑ Kalia, Ammar (April 2, 2023). "Chlöe: In Pieces review – a fragmented solo debut". The Observer. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    32. 1 2 Reeves, Mosi (March 31, 2023). "Chlöe's Highly Anticipated Debut 'In Pieces' is a Fascinating But Uneven Listen". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
    33. ↑ Corrine, Amber (April 12, 2023). "Chlöe Curses Out Critics Following Reports Of Low Album Sales For 'In Pieces'". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
    34. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
    35. ↑ "Billboard 200: Week of April 15, 2023". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
    36. ↑ "Top R&B Albums: Week of April 15, 2023". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
    37. ↑ Bailey, Chlöe (March 31, 2023). "In Pieces". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
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