Kelvin
| Kelvin | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by Calvin Hawthorne | |
| Released | October 15, 2012 |
| Recorded | 2012 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Label | Next Generation Records |
| Professional reviews | |
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| |
Kelvin is the debut studio album by English pop singer and former The Uraps Factor contestant Calvin Hawthorne. The album was released on October 15, 2012 via Next Generation Records. The album has so far spawned two singles, "Pretend" and "The Thought of You (Brings Me To Life)", which both reached the top ten on the UK Singles Chart.
Hawthorne, who is largely criticized by the press, surprisingly managed to receive mostly positive reviews for Kelvin and the album also managed to become commercially successful as well. In the UK, the album debuted at #1, selling more than 96,000 copies in its first week; it then managed to stay at #1 for a second consecutive week. It has sold more than 268,000 copies in the UK and has been certified Gold by the URAPS. The album debuted at #18 in Ireland but rose to #5 in its second week of sales and charted at #9 in the United States. The album debuted at #23 in Canada.
Background[edit | edit source]
Hawthorne auditioned and made it on The Uraps Factor in early 2012; he was voted off the show in February 2012. Immediately after being kicked off the show, Hawthorne was approached by a producer, who had been known for producing other successful acts, to record music for his debut album. Hawthorne had not planned to pursue a career in music but decided to go along with the producer's plan. Hawthorne recorded five tracks with the producer before he fired the producer for unknown but "very personal and very embarrassing reasons". Hawthorne then started all over with the recording of his debut album.
The album was announced in September 2012 and its album cover was revealed that same month. The album's title, Kelvin, comes from Hawthorne's first and middle name, Calvin and Kevin respectively, and from the measurement of temperature of the same name. The track listing was also revealed later that month.
Writing and composition[edit | edit source]
Kelvin has been noted for its lyrical content with all of the songs seemingly being about heartbreak and failed relationships. Upon its release, many people compared Kelvin to 21 by Adele, which is also noted for having sad songs that detail relationships gone wrong. Hawthorne revealed in an interview that the songs on the album are about "a different type of heartbreak: rejection and being screwed over by those you thought you could trust." Hawthorne stated that most of the songs on the album were inspired his estranged relationship with his mother, whom he has not talked to or seen since he was sixteen except for a failed reconciliation on her part in the summer of 2012. Hawthorne also admitted that some of the songs were inspired by the rest of his family who he also all estranged from including his stepfather/half-uncle, his biological father who abandoned him when he was a baby, and all of his half-siblings from both his mother and father. Hawthorne added that recording the album was cathartic for him and took "a bunch of burdens off of me".
Sonically, Kelvin is an album that is mostly composed of uptempo and mid-tempo dance-pop songs to ballads that incorporates the use of the piano. On of the some songs, the uptempo dance-pop vibe is purposefully used to combat the sad lyrics of the song. Kelvin stated that the album sound-wise was inspired by Vixen, Aimee Lyons, and Loud Females, while lyrically being inspired by Arianna DiCorso.
Release and promotion[edit | edit source]
The album was released on October 15, 2012. The album will have ten tracks and, on its iTunes edition, will have two bonus tracks which will be cover versions of "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Turning Tables", which were originally done by Shirley Bassey and Adele respectively. Hawthorne sung both songs while he was still on The Uraps Factor and actually auditioned for the show with "Turning Tables".
Controversy[edit | edit source]
Reports began to surface that Hawthorne's label Next Generation Records wanted to shelve his album because they were not satisfied with it. Hawthorne and Kleo, one of the label's executives, denied this claim. Coral Harris, the president of the label, did not make any comment.
Critical reception[edit | edit source]
Upon release, Kelvin managed to received mixed to positive reviews from critics and fans. The album was praised for its lyrical content stating that Hawthorne came across as "honest" while the lyrics them were described as "heart-wrenching and heartfelt" and "empathetic". Many people compared Kelvin to 21 by Adele.
Despite positive praise for its lyrics, the album was also criticized for its sound and production with many people stating that "though the lyrics are fit, the melody is shit", stating that the Hawthorne "could do better" sound-wise. Naturally, Hawthorne received a negative review from PopJustice, who seemingly always criticize Hawthorne anyway, stating that the lyrics were "whiny and pathetic", the production was "shit", and that they could "obviously" tell that Hawthorne's vocals were AutoTuned because "there is no way in heaven, earth, or hell that he could hit all of those notes! Not possible at all!"
Many music insiders hinted that the album would get a good sales opening in its first week, some including Hawthorne didn't think the album would reach #1 on the UK albums chart.
Commercial performance[edit | edit source]
Kelvin debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart, selling 96,339 copies in its first week. Ironically, it dethroned The 'Snapshot' EP by Arianna DiCorso to #3. Hawthorne stated his surprise at #1 and infamously began sobbing happily at the presences of cameras. In its second week, the album managed to stay at #1, surprising many. To date the album has shifted 268,978 copies and has been certified Gold by the Urapopstar Recording Association Phonographic Selection (URAPS).
The album debuted at #18 in Ireland but in its second week, it rose and has since peaked at #5. In the United States, the album debuted at #9, selling more than 34,000 copies in its first week. It has since sold more than 60,000 copies in the US. In Canada, despite the lack of hit singles there from Hawthorne, the album debuted at #23.
