Thoughts To Word

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Thoughts To Word
Studio album by Aurora Reed
Released October 3, 2011
Recorded 2008 - 2011
Genre R&B
Soul
Urban
Urban pop
Label Saturdays
Professional reviews
Overwhemingly positive
Aurora Reed chronology
Thoughts To Word
(2011)
Haute Mess
(2012)

Thoughts To Word is the debut album by English R&B/soul singer Aurora Reed. The album features tracks that were mostly written by Reed herself while featuring an array of various producers and was released on October 3, 2011 via Saturdays Records. It would be her last album with the label as the label suddenly imploded and went out of business; Reed was subsequently signed to Fusion Records, who took over promotion and funding for the album.

Upon its release, Thoughts To Word became a massive critical and commercial success and launched Reed into superstardom. Thoughts To Word was cited as "revolutionary", "legendary", and "epic" by critics and fans alike while reaching #1 on the official albums chart and eventually selling over two million copies in the UK, leading it to be certified Double Diamond by the URAPS (Urapopopstar Recording Association Phonographic System). It is one of the best selling debut albums of all time in the history of the music industry. The album was nominated for Best Album at the twenty-first Urapopstar Awards while Reed herself won the award for Best Songwriter at the awards ceremony.

The album spawned four singles: "Burn Burn Burn", "Orchestra", "Glitter On The Drums", and "Healin' Heartbreak". All reached the top three on the official singles chart though "Orchestra" and "Glitter On The Drums" peaked at #1 on the chart. All of the singles lifted from the album were certified Platinum by the URAPS.

Background and release[edit | edit source]

Reed recorded the album from late 2010 to early 2011. Reed wrote all of the songs on the album and worked with producers such as The Stereotypes. On October 3, 2011, the album was released in stores and on digital formats. The album was released in a standard edition, which contained fourteen tracks, and a "UK Limited Edition" which contained two additional tracks: a Calvin Andrews-remixed version of the album track "Stones" and "Keep Pressin'". The album only had one bonus track on its iTunes version titled "All We Got".

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

The album received overwhemingly positive reviews from critics and fans who stated that the album was "revolutionary", "legendary", "extraordinary", "beyond excellent", and "epic". The album was lauded by critics for showing off Reed's artistry as a lyricist and a vocalist. Her lyrics were complimented for "keeping it real to her emotion" and for also being "powerful", "honest", "emotional", and "inspiring". Reed's vocals on the album were praised for being "soulful", "raw", and "extremely pleasant to listen to". Many compared her vocals to that of Mary J. Blige and felt that she could definitely and successfully tap into the urban market "without much effort". Critics applauded her for not using any computer techonology to manipulate her voice and stated that she was a "true artist" and "a soul singer's soul singer".

Commercial performance[edit | edit source]

Thoughts To Word debuted at #1 on the official albums chart, selling 107,485 copies in its first week causing it to certified Silver by the URAPS in its first week. The album has spent close to 50 weeks on the albums chart and has sold 2,011,346 copies to date in the UK. It has been certified Double Diamond by the URAPS and is one of the best selling debut albums of all time in the industry.

Charts[edit | edit source]

Chart (2011) Peak
UK Albums Chart 1

Certifications[edit | edit source]

Country (Provider) Certification Sales
United Kingdom (URAPS) Double Diamond1 2,011,346
Notes

1. Officially certified as "Diamond" by URAPS.