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Kicker (album)

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Kicker
Studio album by
Zella Day
ReleasedJune 2, 2015 (2015-06-02)
RecordedOctober 2013 – 2014
Studio
  • Wax Ltd Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Blueprint Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Capitol Studios (Los Angeles)
  • RPD Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length38:10
Label
Producer
Zella Day chronology
Zella Day
(2014) 		Kicker
(2015) 		Where Does the Devil Hide
(2020)
Singles from Kicker
  1. "Hypnotic"
    Released: February 27, 2015
  2. "High"
    Released: May 1, 2015
  3. "Mustang Kids"
    Released: May 23, 2016

Kicker is the second studio album and major-label debut by American singer-songwriter Zella Day. It was released on June 2, 2015, through Pinetop Records and Hollywood Records. Production was mostly handled by Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax Ltd, and features production from Blueprint. Guest vocals on the album were provided by Baby E.

Kicker debuted at number 65 on the US Billboard 200[1] and number 7 on the US Top Alternative Albums.[2] Kicker was supported by three singles. The album's lead single, "Hypnotic", was released on February 27, 2015. It was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America,[3] and peaked at number 25 on the US Adult Alternative Airplay.[4] The second single, "High", was released on May 1, 2015. The third single, "Mustang Kids", was serviced to alternative radio on May 23, 2016.[5][6]

Background and development

[edit]

Prior to the release of Kicker, Day self-released her debut album, Powered By Love at age 13.[7] At age 15, Day secured a management contract with Parallel Entertainment.[7][8][9][10] She met with record executives in Los Angeles, California, who wanted her to have a television component.[8][9] However, she had conflicting views. She was then forwarded to Nashville, Tennessee, and met American producer Dann Huff. Shortly after, she started penning songs at a BMG writing camp there for 1+1⁄2 years. In an interview with Idolator, Day stated that she had "really intensive writing days." Afterwards, "it came time to produce some of the tracks and it was too country."[9] This created a conflict between Day and her management team. They were not able to reach a resolution, resulting in her being sent back to Los Angeles.[11] She promptly met Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax Ltd. They aligned creatively, and Day secured a recording contract with them shortly after.[12]

In 2012, Day secured a joint record and publishing agreement with B3SCI Records and Pinetop Records,[13] an imprint of Hollywood Records. In October 2013, Day started production on her eponymous second EP. "Sweet Ophelia" and "East of Eden" were the first tracks written and recorded.[8][14][15] In February 2014, "1965" was written.[14] Later that year, "Compass" and "Hypnotic", were written and recorded. In a July 2014 interview with Turntable Kitchen, Day officially announced she was "working on a full-length album, which I’m planning on having out next year."[15] Day released the EP on October 21, 2014.[16] All tracks on the EP would be re-released on Kicker. The production period for Kicker was a year long.[9] Throughout the period, Day created over 200 demos for the album.[17] "Shadow Preachers" was recorded in late 2014.[18] "Jerome" and "Jameson" were the last tracks written for the album.[19] On February 27, 2015, Day announced the release date and title of the record.[20] The track list was revealed on March 17, 2015.[21] The album's title is a reference to an Apache man she met while growing up in Pinetop.[8][22]

Composition

[edit]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

Kicker is characterized as a pop[22][23] and folk-pop[13] record. The musical style is described as a contemporary American Midwestern record.[24][25] The album features elements of "indie electronica" and "bluesy, symphonic balladry."[23] In a May 2015 interview with SFWeekly, Day says, "There's two sides to the record...You get to hear two sides of me: the happy side and the tormented side."[26]

Songs

[edit]

Kicker commences with "Jerome". The track refers to the city of Jerome, Arizona, and mentions the mythical ghost of Zella.[9] The song is described as "upbeat",[27] "yearning"[23] and "soulful".[25] "High" is characterized as "dreamy", "smoldering"[28] and "thrilling".[23] Lyrically, the song discusses a "sad reality amongst lovers...when the need to seek outside substances becomes the source of fulfillment in the relationship."[28] "Ace of Hearts" is described as "icy", "infectious", and "hooky".[23] The "indie ode,"[29] "1965" lyrically discusses the year of the same name. Day describes it as "a year of change, beauty, and turmoil, as was my life when [she] wrote the song."[30] "Jameson" is an acoustic[7] ballad[31] about a man who she loves, who struggles with alcoholism,[31] though there's "a light at the end of the tunnel...It's kind of like love, but being in love with something you can't have because something [else] already has it."[11] The song refers to the whiskey brand of the same name. Day conveys the message with "sentiment"[31] and her "stripped-down"[11][7] performance. "Shadow Preachers" discusses "all of the conflicting feelings that you experience when you’re in a relationship."[32]

Promotion

[edit]
See also: DayxDay

Singles and promotion

[edit]

On February 27, 2015, the album's lead single, "Hypnotic", was released and was accompanied by a music video that premiered on Spin.[33] It was the iTunes Single of the Week,[34] and charted at number 25 on the US Adult Alternative Songs,[4] alongside charting at number 28 on the US Adult Pop Songs.[35] The song received critical acclaim. On May 1, 2015, the second single, "High", was released, and premiered on Billboard.[28] The song peaked at number 36 on the US Billboard Emerging Twitter Artists.[36] A music video was intended to be released to support the single, but was ultimately held back by her label.[37][38] Throughout May, Day released fifteen-second snippets of album tracks on YouTube to promote the record. She released her debut live EP in support of the album, entitled Digster Live Session, a week before its official release. She debuted "High" live on national television on the late-night show, Conan, on June 10, 2015.[39] A day later, Jameson, an album track, was given an art-concept video. On May 23, 2016, the third and final single, "Mustang Kids", featuring Florida-bred rapper Baby E was released to alternative radio.[5][6] A music video directed by Tim Mattia was released on June 9, 2016. She also gave several interviews to newspapers and online magazines.

Day performing live at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

Tour and performances

[edit]

To promote Kicker, Day embarked on her debut headlining tour in support of the album. The tour began on June 21, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri, and ended on October 7, 2016, in Tucson, Arizona. Day embarked on a supporting run with LA neo-soul group Fitz and the Tantrums throughout July, and as a supporting act with Michael Franti and Spearhead in August.

Day made appearances at a number of high-profile events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival,[40] Lollapalooza, and Coachella,[41] which caught the attention of the Los Angeles magazine, and described the performance as "hypnotic".[42] Consequence of Sound stated, "it's entirely possible that Zella Day looks back on Coachella 2016 as the moment that launched her career in the earnest...Day is an undeniably powerful vocalist."[43]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[23]
Sputnikmusic3.5/5[24]

AllMusic gave Kicker three out of five stars, with reviewer Matt Collar describing the album as "a rootsy and engaging showcase for her pop theatricality." He praises Day's "dusty coo of a voice."[23] Sputnikmusic comments, "Day is a multi-faceted artist who can, with very little warning, turn the tide from joyful and whimsical to dark and desolate. It’s the kind of stuff that only the very best artists have in them." They dubbed the album as a "mixed bag".[24] Jon Pareles of The New York Times stated that Day "sings about desire and self-destruction, about pleasure bound up with addiction, betrayal and surrender."[44]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks were produced by Wax Ltd, except where noted.

Kicker track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Jerome"
 3:32
2."High"
 3:38
3."Ace of Hearts"
  • Day
  • Barry
  • Gustav Jonsson
 3:37
4."1965"
  • Day
  • Barry
  • Jonsson
 3:38
5."East of Eden"
  • Day
  • Bonnie Baker
  • Barry
  • Gagel
 3:06
6."Hypnotic"
2:56
7."Mustang Kids" (featuring Baby E)
  • Day
  • Barry
  • Gagel
  • Ethan Lowery
  • Alexander Vasquez
 3:02
8."The Outlaw Josey Wales"
  • Day
  • Barry
 3:08
9."Jameson"
  • Day
 3:08
10."Shadow Preachers"
 2:37
11."Sweet Ophelia"
  • Day
  • Barry
  • Gagel
 3:09
12."Compass"
  • Day
  • Barry
  • Michaels
 3:13
Total length:38:10

Personnel

[edit]

Performance credits

  • Zella Day – vocals
  • Ethan Lowery – vocals (track 7)

Creative

  • Brock Lefferts – design
  • Alexandra Valenti – photographer

Instruments

  • Zella Day – guitar
  • Wally Gagel – guitar, programming, bass, keyboards, kalimba, horn arrangement
  • Xandy Barry – guitar, programming, bass, keyboards, piano, string arrangement
  • Ryan Orgen – guitar, programming, bass, keyboards
  • Kiel Feher – drums, percussion
  • Alexander Vasquez – programming

Orchestra on tracks 3, 8 and 10

  • Caroline Campbell – concertmaster
  • Nina Evtuhov – violin
  • Julie Gigante – violin
  • Kevin Kumar – violin
  • Songa Lee – violin
  • Natalie Leggett – violin
  • Phil Levy – violin
  • Lisa Liu – violin
  • Serena McKinney – violin
  • Alyssa Park – violin
  • Katia Popov – violin
  • Mary Sloan – violin
  • Robert Brophy – viola (1st)
  • Alma Fernandez – viola
  • Shawn Mann – viola
  • David Walther – viola
  • Steve Erdody – cello (1st)
  • Eric Byers – cello
  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello
  • Tim Landover – cello
  • Mike Valerio – bass (1st)
  • Stephen Dress – bass
  • Laura Brenes – horn
  • Mark Adams – horn (1st)
  • Teog Reaves – horn
  • Alex Iles – trombone (1st)
  • Steven Holtman – trombone
  • Bill Reichenbach – trombone
  • Wade Cullbreath – percussion
  • Randy Kerber – piano

Production

  • Wax Ltd – production
    • Wally Gagel – executive producer, mixer, recorder
    • Xandy Barry – executive producer, mixer, recorder
  • Brian Blake – recording assistant
  • Seth Olansky – recording assistant (tracks 1–3, 7–10)
  • Howie Weinburg – mastering
  • Gentry Studer – mastering
  • Blueprint – production assistant (track 6); engineer (tracks 5, 6, 11)
  • Ryan Perez-Daple – production assistant, engineer (track 12)
  • Alan Meyerson – first orchestral engineer (tracks 3, 8, 10)
  • Steve Genewick – second orchestral engineer (tracks 3, 8, 10)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Kicker
Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[1] 65
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[2] 7

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for Kicker
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 2, 2015
  • CD
  • digital download
  • LP
[45]
Canada
  • CD
  • digital download
 [46]
Germany June 26, 2015 Universal Music [47]
Various June 29, 2015 Digital download [48][49]

Digster Live Session

[edit]
Digster Live Session
EP by
Zella Day
ReleasedMay 26, 2015 (2015-05-26)
Recorded2015
Genre
  • Acoustic pop
Label
Zella Day chronology
Kicker
(2015) 		Digster Live Session
(2015) 		Where Does the Devil Hide
(2020)

Digster Live Session is the first live extended play by American singer-songwriter Zella Day. Released as a part of Digster's Live Session series, the EP was released onto digital outlets on May 26, 2015, several days before the release of Day's album, Kicker. Like its parent album, the EP was released under Hollywood Records and Day's imprint, Pinetop.

Track list

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."East of Eden"3:52
2."Hypnotic"3:04
3."Jameson"2:59
4."Sweet Ophelia"3:43

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Zella Day – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Zella Day – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. September 19, 2015. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Zella Day – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. November 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases | ..." AllAccess. May 23, 2016. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Alternative Music Artist Info | New Information About Alternative Recording Artists". All Access. May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d Accomazzo, David (July 19, 2016). "When Will Pinetop Native Zella Day Get The Break She Needs to Become a Star?". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Niesel, Jeff (August 6, 2015). "Up-and-Coming Singer-Songwriter Zella Day to Make Local Debut at Grog Shop on Friday". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e Wass, Mike (June 26, 2015). "Zella Day Talks Debut LP 'Kicker,' Accepting Her Roots & Mickey, The White Horse: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Parallel Entertainment Announces New Address In Nashville". All Access. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Thomas-Hansard, Artemis (June 2, 2015). "Indie-Pop Songstress Zella Day Comes From a Long Line of Hardcore Bitches – LA Weekly". LA Weekly. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Spencer, Roy (October 31, 2013). "Wax Ltd: the sound of East LA". MusicRadar. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Visco, Gerry (October 7, 2014). "In the Life of Zella Day". Interview Magazine. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Zella Day – Sweet Ophelia / 1965, by Zella Day". Zella Day. April 7, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Brandt, Andrew (July 21, 2014). "An Interview With Zella Day". Turntable Kitchen. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Day, Zella (September 12, 2014). "EP is out October 21st via B3SCI/Pinetop Records 📀". Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Atout, Alicia (August 31, 2015), "Interview with Zella Day", YouTube, retrieved May 1, 2023
  18. ^ Day, Zella (December 16, 2014). "Journal Entry 3: Love Minus Zero #DayxDay". YouTube. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  19. ^ Atout, Alicia (August 31, 2015). "Interview with Zella Day". YouTube. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "Zella Day announces debut album | News | The 405". The405. February 27, 2015. Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "Zella Day Reveals 'Kicker' Album Details". Buzznet. March 17, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Hernandez, Stephanie (June 10, 2015). "Inside Zella Day: Beginning the Gypsy Chapter". Entertainment Voice. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g Collar, Matt, "Zella Day – Kicker Album Reviews, Songs & More", AllMusic, retrieved May 1, 2023
  24. ^ a b c "Review: Zella Day – Kicker | Sputnikmusic". Sputnik Music. June 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Lai, Kira (September 28, 2015). "More than just 'Lana-lite', pop talent Zella Day is bringing a new dimension to the genre [Review]". South China Morning Post – Young Post. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  26. ^ SF Weekly Staff (May 28, 2015). "Zella Day Talks Music, Shakespeare, and Burritos Ahead of Her Show Tonight at Slim's". SFWeekly. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  27. ^ Albums, Carmen Triola (June 7, 2015). "Zella Day: Kicker". The Aquarian. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  28. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (May 1, 2015). "Zella Day Song Premiere: Hear 'High' From The Pop Newcomer's Debut Album". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  29. ^ Tewksbury, Colin (April 24, 2014). "4AM wakes us up with a Zella Day "1965" reboot [Premiere + Download]". Earmilk. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  30. ^ Atout, Alicia (May 1, 2014). "Gimme Your Answers: An Interview w/ Zella Day – Alicia Atout". Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  31. ^ a b c "Zella Day Performs a Heartbreaking Ballad About Alcoholism". Vogue. January 23, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  32. ^ Derrough, Leslie Michele (August 1, 2016). "21 Year Old Zella Day Proves An "Old Soul" With Eclectic 'Kicker' LP & National Success (INTERVIEW)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  33. ^ Farrell, Margaret (February 27, 2015). "Zella Day Encounters Dark Love In New 'Hypnotic' Video". Spin Magazine. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  34. ^ Greenberg, Brooke. "Zella Day delivers with her iTunes Song of the Week". Eastside. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  35. ^ "Zella Day – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. April 27, 2016. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  36. ^ "Zella Day – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. November 29, 2015. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  37. ^ Nordstrom, Leigh (August 24, 2015). "Zella Day Addresses Controversy Over Music Video 'High'". WWD. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  38. ^ Day, Zella. "Zella Day: I'm very sad to announce that my music video for "High" will remain unreleased due to my label's judgment". Twitter. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  39. ^ Indy Staff (September 25, 2015). "Zella Day's Old Soul". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  40. ^ Zella Day at iHeartRadio Music Fest 2015: 'I'm Working Really Hard to Get Somewhere', September 20, 2015, retrieved May 12, 2023
  41. ^ Stern, Claire (April 26, 2016). "Zella Day Coachella 2016 Interview". InStyle. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  42. ^ Singh, Puneet; Singh, Sonya (April 21, 2016). "Everything You Need to Know About Zella Day Ahead of Coachella Weekend Two". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  43. ^ Brennan, Collin (April 18, 2016). "Coachella 2016 Festival Review: From Worst to Best". Consequence. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  44. ^ Pareles, Jon (May 29, 2015). "New Albums Feature Mbongwana Star, Karen Dalton Covers and Zella Day". The New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  45. ^ Zella Day, Kicker, Hollywood Records, retrieved July 3, 2023
  46. ^ Day, Zella (April 2, 2015). "Canada! Pre-order #KICKER here... out June 2nd, 2015 🍁". Twitter. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  47. ^ Group, UMG (June 26, 2015). "Kicker". www.universal-music.de (in German). Retrieved May 1, 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  48. ^ Day, Zella (June 29, 2015). "Zella Day:KICKER is out worldwide 🌎 Looking forward to the music taking me places I never thought I'd go". Twitter. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  49. ^ "Zella Day – Kicker – ultratop.be". www.ultratop.be. June 29, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
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