Something Beautiful (Jordan Smith album)

Something Beautiful is a studio album by American singer and musician Jordan Smith. It is Smith's debut album following his victory that capped season nine of The Voice. The album was released on March 18, 2016, through Republic Records.[3] Something Beautiful debuted on the Billboard 200 at number two, just under the first number one solo album by The Voice coach Gwen Stefani.

Something Beautiful
Studio album by
Jordan Smith
ReleasedMarch 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)
Genre
Length46:59
LabelRepublic
Producer
Jordan Smith chronology
The Complete Season 9 Collection (The Voice Performance)
(2015)		 Something Beautiful
(2016)		 Tis the Season
(2016)
Singles from Something Beautiful
  1. "Stand in the Light"
    Released: February 12, 2016 (2016-02-12)

History

On December 15, 2015, Jordan Smith was crowned the winner of season nine of The Voice.[4] Three days later, Smith told Entertainment Weekly, "I'm very, very adamant about getting my music out there as quickly as possible and the label is with me in that effort."[5]

Smith announced in February 2016 that he was working on the album with David Foster and Stephan Moccio. The track list for Something Beautiful was announced at the same time as the release of its first single, "Stand in the Light".[6]

Something Beautiful was released on March 18, 2016, and features 12 songs comprising a mix of covers and original material.[3] Two additional tracks are included on the Walmart edition. The album debuted at number two on the iTunes Store album sales list;[7] it took the top spot on March 22.[8] Smith entered the Billboard top 200 albums chart for the week of April 9, 2016, debuting at number two behind This Is What the Truth Feels Like, the first number one debut by The Voice coach Gwen Stefani. Something Beautiful was the highest entry and best sales week ever for any contestant on The Voice,[9] and the top debut for any new artist in 2016 through March.[10] The album has sold 73,000 copies in the United States as of August 2016.[11]

Singles

"Stand in the Light" was released to digital retailers as the lead single on February 12, 2016.[6] The accompanying music video premiered on March 4.[12] The song experienced moderate success, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and at number 25 on the magazine's Adult Contemporary airplay chart.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic

iTunes' editorial staff praised Smith's "fearless, confident singing, which elevates even the simplest phrases into stirring statements."[3] AllMusic noted Smith's "relentless good cheer. He's just ... happy to be singing," and the listener's enjoyment "depends entirely on how ingratiating you find that starry-eyed optimism."[1] Starpulse wrote, "Smith’s instrument is stronger than Something Beautiful in itself, hence making this debut one that’s satisfying and better than expected".[13]

Jake's Take offered a B+ grade for the connection Smith had with the album's songs, but would prefer that "Jordan and the Republic Records team find high quality original material" for Smith's next effort.[14] The Knoxville News Sentinel gave the album three stars (out of five) for its "entirely too cautious" approach and "safe but beautiful" songs: Smith's take on "You Are So Beautiful" is "embarrassingly sterilized"; his cover of "Beautiful", however, "is the album highlight as he taps into the life-affirming lyrics with touching gentleness."[15] AXS wrote, "Voice fans who purchase the record won't be disappointed ... but it still feels like the real Jordan Smith has yet to stand up."[16]

Track listing
Standard edition[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
1."Over the Rainbow"
Judy Garland3:43
2."Stand in the Light"
 3:57
3."You Are So Beautiful"
Billy Preston2:22
4."Beautiful"Linda PerryChristina Aguilera4:34
5."Angel"Sarah McLachlanSarah McLachlan4:42
6."And So It Goes"Billy JoelBilly Joel3:39
7."Amazing Grace"John Newton 4:23
8."I Got to Be Me"
 4:19
9."Settle"
 3:11
10."What Now"
Rihanna5:01
11."Ain't Got Far to Go"
Jess Glynne3:00
12."Beautiful Things"Moccio 4:01
Total length:46:59
Walmart bonus tracks[17]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
13."Love Somebody"
Maroon 55:09
14."Dog Days Are Over"
Florence and the Machine4:07
Christian Book Distributors bonus track[18]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
13."No More Night"Walt HarrahGlen Campbell 
14."Every Prayer" (featuring Shelea)   

Charts
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[19] 19
US Billboard 200[9] 2

References
  1. "Something Beautiful - Jordan Smith - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. March 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  2. "Something Beautiful by Jordan Smith - CD Reviews And Information - NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. March 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  3. "iTunes Store (US) - Music - Jordan Smith - Something Beautiful". iTunes Store (US). March 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  4. "Harlan County's Jordan Smith wins 'The Voice'". Lexington Herald-Leader. December 15, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  5. Falcone, Dana Rose (December 18, 2015). "Jordan Smith discusses his 'breakthrough moment' on The Voice and when fans can expect an album". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  6. Staff (February 12, 2016). "The Voice Winner Jordan Smith Announces Debut Album, Releases First Song "Stand In The Light"". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  7. Cantor, Brian (March 18, 2016). "Gwen Stefani, Jordan Smith Albums Claim Top Spots On US iTunes Sales Chart". Headline Planet. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  8. Pierce, Susan (March 22, 2016). "Jordan Smith's album tops iTunes' pop album chart". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  9. Caulfield, Keith (March 27, 2016). "Gwen Stefani Scores Her First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  10. Maslow, Nick (March 28, 2016). "Jordan Smith Is now the Best Selling Artist in The Voice History!". People. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  11. "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016.
  12. Jordan Smith – Stand In the Light (Official Video). YouTube. JordanSmithVEVO. March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  13. Faulkner, Brent M. (March 23, 2016). "Jordan Smith Delivers Sheer Beauty On Something Beautiful". Starpulse. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  14. Elyachar, Jacob (March 19, 2016). "New Music Releases: Week of March 18, 2016". Jake's Take. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  15. Campbell, Chuck (March 22, 2016). "Music review: Jordan Smith plays it too safe on Beautiful". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  16. Frederick, Brittany (March 20, 2016). "Album review: The Voice winner Jordan Smith releases Something Beautiful". AXS. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  17. "Something Beautiful (Walmart Exclusive) - Walmart.com". Walmart. March 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  18. "Something Beautiful (CBA Version): Jordan Smith - Christianbook.com". Christian Book Distributors. March 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  19. "Canadian Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
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