Nocturne

Nocturne is the ninth studio album by British recording artist Shell Ruin. Released on September 28, 2015, the album served as Ruin’s first new material in four years. Following a period of commercial failure from 2010 to 2011, Ruin took an unannounced hiatus from music where she gave no interviews or any indication that she would release new music for four years. Play was announced on June 24, 2015 via Ruin's official Facebook page, with an official Instagram account being set up in Ruin's name which also included the album's artwork and press release.

A complete musical departure from her previous studio albums Original Doll (2010) and Panic Station (2011), Play is characterised by its references to 1970s and early 1980s disco, as well being influenced by contemporary R&B and pop music. The album has an overarching disco influence whilst retaining its pop sensibilities. Ruin was careful not to try and remake music from past, instead paying tribute towards artists like Prince, Chic and Giorgio Moroder. Ruin was also inspired by Grace Jones, particularly the disco albums she released in the late 1970s (namely Portfolio and Fame).

Contemporary critics lauded the album, who complimented its musical direction, particularly praising its individuality and nostalgia for the 1970s. Other critics compared the album to the work of contemporary artists like Miami Horror and Blood Orange, and respected Ruin's ability to reposition herself in the pop landscale in 2015, a decade after the release of her debut album.

Play is Ruin's most commercially successful to date, debuting at number one in its first week on the official albums chart. In April 2016, the album surpassed a million units sold and the following month the album was certified diamond by the Official Charts Company. The album was preceded by the single "Feel Alive", which was released as the album's lead single on September 21, 2015. The album yielded three more Top 5 singles - "Blue", "Dancing on Air" and "Lucid Dreams". Ruin embarked on the Playroom World Tour in 2016, her first world tour since 2011 and her highest-grossing live endeavor to date.

Development
yas

Title and art direction
yas

Critical reception
yas

Commercial response
yas

Track listing
yaaaaas