Romanticism

Romanticism is the second studio album by American recording artist Kenya, released on October 27, 2014 by Blacklight Records. It was recorded between March and August 2014, three years after Kenya's debut release Harlem Renaissance (2011). As executive producer, Kenya enlisted a number of top producers, including DJ Christian Stone, Dev Hynes, Mike WiLL Made It, Noah "40" Shebib and Timbaland. Kenya chose not to include any collaborations with other recording artists in order to let the album "stand on its own two feet." Romanticism is mainly a pop and R&B album that incorporates elements of alternative music, hip hop and EDM in its production.

Kenya released the buzz single "I Been On That" in August 2014. Ahead of the album's release, Kenya unveil three promotional singles — "Part II (Indian Oceans)", "I'll Always Fuck U" and "Romance V3", culminating in the release of the album and its second official single "We're Already There". Upon its release, Romanticism received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its expansive production, emotional themes, and Kenya's songwriting. The album became Kenya's second number one solo chart-topper.

Following the album's release, Romanticism spawned TBA further singles — "Northern Star" and TBA.

Background and production
In late 2010, Kenya released her debut solo single, "White Bitches (Pat My Weave)", after rising to fame with the award-winning girl group Tiger Tiger. The following year, Kenya released her debut solo album Harlem Renaissance (2011). The album was rooted in pop, R&B, and dance, but also incorporated a variety of other musical genres such as hip hop and dubstep. Harlem Renaissance topped the albums chart, as did the Twisted Disco-produced lead single "Vodka Bomb". The album spawned two more singles and a tour of the same name. Kenya reformed with Tiger Tiger to release their second album Tiger II (2011). In 2012, Kenya joined forces with Loretta Lambert to form Birds of Prey. The "super duo" released a number one album and a hat trick of top three singles, including a number one hit. Following the band's dissolution, a tabloid-pushed war of words erupted between the pair.

Kenya confirmed in July 2014 that she had been working on her sophomore solo album, following a three-year wait. It was confirmed that she had signed a solo deal with Birds of Prey's label Blacklight Records, following the closure of her previous solo label Saturdays Records in 2011. Kenya revealed that she had been working with Brian Kennedy, Mike WiLL Made It, Noah "40" Shebib and Timbaland among others. She explained her interest in developing new soundscapes: "I love experimenting and I love working with different sounds and putting them together so they’re not one-dimensional." In August 2014, it was confirmed that Kenya had been working with American DJ Christian Stone on a number of dance tracks for Romanticism.

Music and lyrics
Romanticism features an atmospheric sound that is characterized by low-key musical elements and incorporates R&B, pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance styles. Kenya's lyrics mostly eschew boastful raps for introspective lyrics that deal with topics such as intimacy, failed romances, fear, growing wealth and fame, and despondency. The album has been noted by music writers for its minimalist R&B elements, candid lyrics, and Kenya's further experimentation with rapped vocals. Kenya's work with producers Noah "40" Shebib and Dev Hynes (also known under the moniker Blood Orange) experiments with "murky" alternative R&B, while other producers' tracks are more up-tempo and shift from the melancholic mood.

The opening track "We're Already There" was inspired by R&B and pop music of the 1980s in an attempt to "create something with a timeless melody," according to Kenya. The song's lyrics urge the protagonist's lover to give in to love with the chorus saying, "Look around you, babe, we're already there." "Part II (Indian Oceans)" is an "electro-R&B love ballad" that is viewed as a sequel to Tiger Tiger's 2009 album track "'09 Bonnie & Clyde". Lyrically, the song continues the story of two lovers on the run and samples Jay-Z and Beyoncé's similarly-themed "Part II (On the Run)". Romanticism continues with "Sunsets Over," a two-minute interlude that segues into "Fortune's Fool", produced by Pharrell Williams. The former is a down-tempo, "chilled-out" song, while the latter is "breakbeat-heavy." "Fortune's Fool" ponders what a failed relationship could have been.

"I'll Always Fuck U" is a "moody" track that speaks of staying in a relationship for sex. Like much of the album, the track has been noticed for its "PBR&B" sound. "Romance V3" is a mashup of Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's "The Romance of the Telescope", originally produced by Girls On Top (Richard X) and re-produced here by Christian Stone. "Northern Star" and "Love In Summer", both produced by Stone, are pop tracks with EDM influences and lyrics that speak of being in love. "Light It Up (Grape Swisher)" is an R&B song with trap influences. Lyrically, it has been described as a"sex song."

"Baby What About Us?" is an R&B song with pop and electronic influences, written with and produced by Dev Hynes (also known under the moniker Blood Orange). The song is about the dissolution of a once-happy relationship. "Sleep Alone Tonight", produced by Noah "40" Shebib, mourns a lost lover as Kenya sings, "In my dreams I'm hopeful I might / Not have to sleep alone tonight." "Chemistry" is a "throwback" to '90s R&B, while "Candlelight" is a piano ballad that sees Kenya take on her first full rap verse. The album closes with lead single "I Been On That", a red herring in that it does not talk about love. Instead, the song is a diss track.

Singles and promotion
Kenya released the buzz single "I Been On That" in August 2014. Ahead of the album's release, Kenya unveiled three promotional singles in a partnership with iTunes — "Part II (Indian Oceans)", "I'll Always Fuck U" and "Romance V3". In the gap between these promotional singles, Kenya partnered with VEVO for a series of videos dubbed Romanticism Sessions, recorded at an unannounced and "intimate" concert at New York's Brooklyn Bowl.