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 Title: Self Reflection Length: 44:28 Genre(s): Pop, Synth-Pop, Alternative Pop, R&B, Drum & Bass Label: Independent/Self-Released Written By: Elyar Black, Adam Black Produced By: Edwardo Lopez, Sebastian “Sebi” Ashmore, Daniel Hansel, Mark Franklin, Greg Devlin Singles Released: New Perspective [#1], Better Than Me [#4], Psycho Love Game [#1] “Self Reflection” is the long-awaited second studio album by American singer-songwriter Elyar Black. Work on the album began over 5 years ago when the 33 year-old was taking time away from the industry to focus and reflect on his life hence the title of the album. After a handful of now standalone singles which where released all the way back in 2019 which were lifted from his now scrapped original second studio album, Elyar burst back onto the scene in 2023 and has some of the biggest success in his career to date. The album was written primarily by the singer himself as the majority of the album is taken from personal moments within his life, a couple of the track however where written or co-written along with his older brother Adam Black. The album comprises a handful on genres and musical styles ranging from Pop to R&B all the way through to Drum & Bass and more synth-pop elements, it terms of musical styles for the majority of the album Elyar has stuck to his standards however this album sees the 33 year-old slow things down on a number of tracks with a more mellow tempo. It terms of production Elyar worked with a few of his close industry friends with the album being entirely produced at his home studio by Edwardo Lopez, Sebastian “Sebi” Ashmore, Daniel Hansel, Mark Franklin and Greg Devlin. From the fourteen tracks on the album to date three singles have been released from the album “New Perspective” which topped the charts for a number of weeks. “Better Than Me” which debuted and peaked at #4 and the most recent offering from the album came in the form of “Psycho Love Game” which ones again gave Elyar another #1 single. Critical reception to the album has been mostly positive with many of the critics calling this the best work by far of his career with many noting that the raw and honest lyrics in many of the songs is a breath of fresh air from the usually mostly sexually charged content that Elyar has become known for over the years. Danny Blackmore wrote in his review. “This album is so raw and honest about aspects of his life and that is why the title of the album is fitting, in terms of sound it’s pretty standard Elyar but I do love that his slowed things down and really showcases that he actually has a damn decent voice. Overall I would give this album a solid 8/10.” Kylie Graham wrote in her four star review of the album. “This album has been in the making for years and it shows, it flows beautifully and clearly was made from the heart, my personal favourites are definitely “Ghost Of Yesterday” which showcases a much more slower tempo and “Back To The Start” which is short but catchy bop and I am always here for those, this is a fantastic work of art to add to his discography.” Francis Callus wrote in his review. “Okay overall this is his best body of work to date, my only gripe is two of the tracks nestle between all of these personal, raw songs there are the track mark Elyar tracks talking about sex, but other that the album is definitely up there as one of my favourite albums of the year so far.” Caroline Smith wrote in her review. “No offence to the boys of the Weekend who once signed Elyar to Five Pesky Kids but now as an independent artist woah his album is just on another level to anything Elyar has brought to the table before color me impressed and surprised, this album has been on repeat and not a single track has been skip or overlooked by me, top notch stuff.” Elyar wrote:Finally! After all these years and several changes and scrapping songs and writing new ones, Self Reflection is finally seeing the light of day. This album was equal parts exciting to make but also bitterly hard, this album is raw it’s honest and it really documents the years I spent away from the industry, of course there’s a couple of typical songs in there but they aren’t as in your face sexual, getting to wrote with my brother Adam was both amazing but also a pain in the ass because as a big brother he loves to try and annoy me but we managed to pull it together to write a few great tracks together, I hope you guys love the album and hopefully can relate to a lot of the lyrics within the album because I feel like a lot of my own personal struggles and failures in life can resonate with a lot of people. So here it is guys I present to you “Self Reflection!” TRACKLIST:1: New Perspective 2: Ghost Of Yesterday 3: Better Than Me 4: Back To The Start 5: Psycho Love Game 6: Wrong Reasons 7: Hard To Let Go 8: Funky, Sex, Magic 9: Better Than Your Ex 10: Cheated 11: 9 Inches Of Magic 12: Shouldn’t Have 13: Big Mistake 14: Playin’ Games |
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