Superficial
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 11, 2010 (2010-01-11)
Recorded2007–2009
GenrePop
Length40:24
Label
Producer
Heidi Montag chronology
Here She Is...
(2009)
Superficial
(2010)
Dreams Come True
(2012)
Singles from Superficial
  1. "Superficial"
    Released: November 23, 2009
  2. "I'll Do It"
    Released: May 12, 2023[1]

Superficial is the debut studio album by American television personality Heidi Montag. The project was released digitally on January 11, 2010, through Pratt Productions and Warner Music Group. Montag first began working on an album in 2007, having rose to fame through her appearances on the MTV television series The Hills. She enlisted a number of notable writers and producers for the project, hoping to achieve a quality record despite the backing of a major label. The end product was a pop album inspired by artists such as Britney Spears. It lyrically discussed topics such as love and partying, as well as poking fun at Montag's own reputation at the time.

The album experienced numerous setbacks during its production, with several songs meant for the project leaking throughout the years prior to its release. Resulting in Montag releasing many tracks early as digital promotional singles to combat the piracy.

The lead single "Superficial" was released on November 23, 2009 and failed to chart. Upon the album’s release, Superficial was met with a harsh reaction from music critics. Though some praised the album's production, Montag's vocals were met with a negative reception. It sold an estimated 1,000 copies during its first week of release, failing to appear on any major music charts. Montag has since attributed the album's failure to a lack of promotional effort on her part as well as her lack of fame and popularity.

The album has retrospectively received positive reviews. In 2023, thirteen years after the album’s release, the track "I'll Do It" received a surge of streams due to its virality on the video-sharing app TikTok and was officially released as a single on May 12, 2023.[2]

Recording and production

Montag first rose to fame as a cast member on the MTV television series The Hills.[3] She gained further notoriety through her relationship with co-star Spencer Pratt, with the two gaining a reputation as "villains" in the media.[4][5][6] With her career on the rise, Montag announced her intentions of recording a pop album.[7][8] She explained her venture into music, stating "I always loved to sing. I was shy about that for a while, but I eventually started to open up about how I wanted to record an album. I knew I needed to start making moves."[9] Prior to her rise to stardom, Montag's manager had begun laying down the groundwork for her to begin working on a pop-rock influenced album, though Montag insisted on a pop album.[10][11] She cited artists such as Britney Spears and Janet Jackson as her main musical influences, claiming they made her want to be a pop star.[10] Pratt, a talent manager who had managed Brody Jenner, was able to get Montag a meeting with Jenner's former step-father David Foster to speak about her potential music career.[9] Following a meeting at Foster's recording studio in Miami, he agreed to work with Montag.[9][12]

Though Montag had Foster's support, she was still an independent artist and funded the album with her own money.[13] The album had a reported production cost that exceeded $2 million.[14][15][16] Montag claimed that she had "gone broke" funding her music career.[17] She and Pratt were responsible for finding and purchasing the majority of the songs on the album.[18] Montag sought after writers and producers that had worked with big-name artists at the time, stating "I really just wanted that right sound, so I set the bar high. I wanted to work with people of that caliber."[9] "One More Drink" was the first song that Montag recorded for the album.[9] "Body Language" was the next song Montag recorded for the album.[19] The song featured an un-credited rap verse from Pratt, and was ultimately Montag's first song to leak during the production of Superficial.[20][21] She recorded songs such as "Higher" and "No More" during the early stages of the album's production, both of which would be released as promotional singles in 2008.[22][23] Montag recorded a version of "Fashion", a song that was co-written and also recorded by singer Lady Gaga.[24] She additionally recorded a song titled "Dramatic", which had initially been recorded by Britney Spears for her fifth studio album.[25]

Montag began collaborating with producer Steve Morales[26] and songwriter Cathy Dennis in 2009.[27][28][29] Morales would go on to serve as the project's executive producer alongside Montag and Pratt.[30] Though not included on the album, Morales also produced the final version of Montag's song "Body Language" (2009), released as a single months prior to the release of Superficial.[31] Dennis has four writing credits on the finished product, including "Look How I'm Doing" and "Turn Ya Head".[32] Montag recorded a track titled "Blackout" for the album that was written by Dennis and Taylor Momsen.[33] Momsen claimed that she had written the song when she was only eight, and Dennis had made changes to the lyrics before allowing Montag to record it.[33][34] Montag recorded the Morales produced "More Is More" after finding the demo to be "progressive and edgy", and enlisted Dave Audé to produce a remix of the song for use in night clubs.[35] The song features a writing credit from singer Laura Pergolizzi, better known as LP.[35] Pergolizzi has a total of six writing credits on the album, including "Twisted".[9] Montag claimed that Pergolizzi was initially hesitant to let her record "Twisted", but agreed to let Montag have the song after hearing the completed version.[9]

Composition

Superficial is a primarily pop album.[9] Pop singers such as Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson were cited as influences on the project.[9] Montag stated throughout the album's production that her goal was to achieve a "fun, empowering mix that you could really dance to."[36] She later told MTV, "Not every song is in the same genre. Some are more pop. Some are more ballady. Some are a little more rock. Some are a little bit edgier, but they all go together in some way."[37] Superficial featured songs that spoke on topics such as fame, romance, and self-love.[9] Montag cited her husband, whom she married during the album's production, as her inspiration when selecting the love songs.[9]

The album opens with the Morales produced "Look How I'm Doing", a dance-pop song described as a "kiss-off to a former flame."[38] Montag has also claimed the track speaks on her former friendship with Lauren Conrad.[9] "Turn Ya Head" has been described as "electronic" and "urban-pop", as well as a "club anthem."[9] The song's lyrics reference Montag drawing attention to herself on a dance floor.[9] "Fanatic" is an 80's inspired mid-tempo song that speaks about being a fanatic for a lover.[9] Montag related the song's lyrics to her feelings for Pratt, stating "I always was just such a fanatic for him, and it was just to fun to be able to sing a song that was so relatable to me in my own life."[9] "Superficial" is the album's title track and fourth song, which acknowledges Montag's public image at the time with lyrics stating, "They say I'm superficial, but they really don't know me."[39] "More Is More" is a dance track that sees Montag singing about dancing at a club and flirting with men.[9] Similarly, "One More Drink" finds Montag telling a man from the club that she'll be going home with him after she has one more drink.[9]

"Twisted", which was described as having a "rock" sound by Montag, called out someone who she labels as twisted.[9] Montag has said she recorded the song in reference to Conrad.[9] "Hey Boy" is an upbeat song that makes use of electric guitar, with Montag telling a man that he's "not the one" for her.[9] She described the song as "feminist".[9] The next track is "My Parade", a song which features the sounds of a marching band.[9] The song seems to address those who dislike Montag, with her claiming they won't "rain on [her] parade".[9] The song has themes of self-love and being confident.[9] "Blackout" was seen as an ode to Montag's husband Spencer Pratt.[40] "I'll Do It" has been labeled the "raciest" song on Superficial, with lyrics such as "come eat my panties off of me."[41] Montag described the song, which speaks of fulfilling her lover's deepest fantasies, as empowering to women.[9] The album closes with "Love It or Leave It", a mid-tempo song that has been described as having a "dark" beat.[9] Having similar themes as "My Parade", this song sees Montag telling the listener they can "love it or leave it".[9]

Release and artwork

While still in production, numerous songs from the finished track list of Superficial were released as promotional singles.[42] In 2008, a rough cut of "One More Drink" leaked online; the finished version had additional production work.[42] "Look How I'm Doing" was released as a promotional single on April 1, 2009.[43] It was released alongside the song "Your Love Found Me", which was ultimately not included on the album.[44] "More Is More" had a promotional remix album released to nightclubs on April 3, 2009.[45] The album featured remixes from Ralphi Rosario and Dave Audé.[45] The song became Montag's first Billboard chart entry when it debuted at number fifty on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart; it would go on to reach a peak of twenty-seven on the chart.[46][47] Montag released the promotional Wherever I Am extended play on April 28, featuring the three promotional singles alongside the songs "Turn Ya Head" and "Party Is Wherever I Am".[48] The version of "Look How I'm Doing" present on the album featured an additional verse from a rapper credited as Machine Gun Kelly, not to be confused with another rapper of the same name.[49][50]

"Blackout" was released as a promotional single on May 19.[51] While on their honeymoon, Montag and Pratt filmed a homemade music video for the song that featured Montag in a hot tub and hammock.[52] She released a second promotional extended play titled Here She Is... on August 4, 2009.[53] The release compiled a number of Montag's promotional singles that had been released to that point.[54] She next released a finished version of "Body Language" as a single on August 14.[55] The song was initially intended to be included on Superficial, but was left off the finished product due to issues with the song sampling "Situation" (1982) by Yazoo.[56] The album's title track, "Superficial", served as the album's final promotional single before its eventual release.[57] The song was released on November 23, 2009.[57] Montag and Pratt made a video for the song featuring footage from their life the past few years, releasing it in April 2010.[58] Superficial was released to digital retailers through Pratt Productions and the Warner Music Group on January 11, 2010.[59][60] The album is available in both a clean and explicit version, due to the song "More Is More".[59]

Throughout the recording process, Superficial underwent a number of working titles. The project was initially intended to be self-titled, while titles such as The One and Independent were also announced online. Montag later confirmed the album's final title as Superficial, inspired by "the world [she lives] in" and her public perception.[61] Montag revealed the album's original cover in November 2009, shot by Liz Ciganovich.[62] The photo saw the singer in a polka-dot leotard posing in front of a wall of cassette tapes.[62] The image, which drew inspiration from the music video for "Physical" (1981) by Olivia Newton-John, paid homage to the music scene of the 1980s "when you just had to run out to the record store and get your favorite album", according to Montag.[63] Prior to the album's release, Montag changed the album's cover to an image of her in a short black dress posing in front of a camera lens.[64] Ciganovich photographed the updated album cover as well.[64]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Superficial was met with a negative reaction from music critics. The Channel Magazine also gave the album a negative review, more specifically the lyrical content, writing "Montag sings about these ideas: how hard it is to handle the paparazzi, how she turns heads everywhere she goes, and how she ignores those that rain on her parade."[65] Grace Carroll of Gigwise gave the album a negative review in 2013, comparing Montag to a "low budget Britney Spears wannabe" and commenting "Heidi's empty, dead-behind-the-eyes vocals manage to stick the pin into every inflated balloon of a track."[66]

LimeLife did call some songs on the album "catchy", but said the project "sounds so manufactured, I have no idea what Heidi would sound like without all this technology behind her."[67] Hollywood Life also gave the album a mixed review; while praising "My Parade" and "I'll Do It", they wrote "Superficial is just as over-produced as you'd expect a Heidi album to be. In fact, there are some points when you can barely hear Heidi's breathy words over busy beats and sporadic whooshing sounds."[39] In a more positive review, LGBT themed website Homorazzi praised "Fanatic", the title track, and "More Is More" as standout songs on the album.[68] Bradley Stern with MuuMuse described the album as "fun", and listed several songs from the project as "guilty pleasures."[17]

Since its release, Superficial has gone on to develop somewhat of a cult following.[69][70][71] Independent pop artist Slayyyter cited the album as an influence to her own music, claiming "There's a whole SoundCloud circuit of artists that are just like me and worship [Superficial] and take our influence from there."[72] Sam Lansky of Idolator wrote an article in 2012 "in defense" of the album, claiming it was "good in the way that the best trash-pop always is, the songs that you dance to in the darkened cloisters of a nightclub not knowing who's singing".[73] An article in Life & Style in 2018 called it the "most underrated album of all time", and argued that Montag's public image at the time eclipsed the album.[9] Montag's husband has cited Montag's controversial decision to undergo ten cosmetic surgeries just prior to the album's release as a potential reason the album did not perform well with critics or listeners.[9]

Commercial performance

Superficial was reported to have sold just over 1,000 copies in its first week of release.[74][75] It debuted at number forty-one on the Top Heatseekers album chart in the United States, marking its only chart appearance.[76] There were a total of 6,000 paid downloads of the album's tracks during the first week of release.[77] Montag has since attributed the album's commercial performance to a lack of promotion on her part during its release period,[78][79] and would later claim that MTV had refused to promote her music career due to her role on The Hills.[9]

Legacy

The album has been received positively in the years since its release, with many praising it as a great dance album. In 2023, a sped-up version of "I'll Do It" went viral on TikTok, being used in thousands of videos on the platform and climbing to five million plays on Spotify by February. Lukas Heerich and Ludovic de Saint Sernin selected it to play while Irina Shayk walked the catwalk during de Saint Sernin's AW23 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week. Pop singer Slayyyter has cited the song as an inspiration.[80]

Track listing

Superficial track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Look How I'm Doin"
3:28
2."Turn Ya Head"
  • Morales
  • Dennis
  • Keithin Pittman
3:37
3."Fanatic"3:25
4."Superficial"
  • Morales
  • Atozzio Towns
  • Harold St. Louis
3:08
5."More Is More"
  • Morales
  • L.P.
  • St. Louis
3:05
6."One More Drink"3:37
7."Twisted"3:48
8."Hey Boy"
  • Jacome
  • L.P.
2:54
9."My Parade"
  • John Stary
  • Ben McCrary
  • Melanie Dayan
3:23
10."Blackout"
3:29
11."I'll Do It"
3:30
12."Love It or Leave It"
  • Jacome
  • L.P.
3:00
Total length:40:30

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Superficial.

  • Dan Black – legal
  • Ken Burry – legal
  • Ariel Chobaz – engineering
  • Liz Ciganovich – art direction, LP cover design, production design
  • Laura DeMichele – legal
  • Cathy Dennis – songwriter
  • Fingazz – producer
  • Bernie "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering
  • Sebastian Jacome – producer
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing
  • Chris Leach – packaging
  • Peter Lopez – legal
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Steve Morales – producer, engineering
  • Jordan Nuttall – photography
  • Dave Pemado – mixing
  • Chris Rojas – producer
  • The Runners – producer
  • Casey Ryder – LP cover design, LP logo design

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[81] 41

References

  1. https://open.spotify.com/album/5UKDPRUvUae1NhfhsYZiQp?si=VwTrYiMfQ_CHYsUcjWvlOA
  2. https://open.spotify.com/album/5UKDPRUvUae1NhfhsYZiQp?si=idtN_KbVTjCYfboJtAaz6A
  3. Virginia Heffernan (May 31, 2006). "'The Hills,' a Follow-Up to 'Laguna Beach,' Makes Its Premiere on MTV". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  4. "The Hills (Season 2) Ep. 208: Enough Is Enough". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  5. "The Hills (Season 2) Ep. 212: Goodbye For Now". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  6. "The Hills (Season 3) Ep. 301: You Know What You Did". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  7. Aaron Parsley (August 16, 2007). "Heidi Montag 'Upset' Over Leaked Song". People. Time Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  8. Pete Norman (August 9, 2007). "Heidi Montag 'Moving On' After Hills Feud". People. Time Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 "Heidi Montag's 'Superficial' Is the Most Underrated Album of All Time — Inside the Making of a Pop Opus (EXCLUSIVE)". Life & Style. January 11, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Heidi Montag on Marriage, Motherhood and Music". April 5, 2018.
  11. "'The Hills: New Beginnings' Spencer Pratt Says Wife Heidi Montag Has What It Takes to be a Christian Pop Queen". July 30, 2019.
  12. "MTV 'The Hills': A Cesspool of Self-Promo". April 6, 2007.
  13. "Heidi Montag releases new album even though her last flop cost her $2million". Daily Mirror. April 18, 2012.
  14. Rome, Emily (January 13, 2010). "Heidi Montag says new album cost almost $2 million, left her broke, is as good as 'Thriller' | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  15. "Heidi Montag Recording Her Second Album". CBS News. June 25, 2010.
  16. "Heidi Montag Reflects on Her Pop Career in 'Paper' Magazine". April 25, 2018.
  17. 1 2 "Heidi Montag: Superficial (Album Review)". MuuMuse. January 13, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  18. "Heidi Montag Compares Album to Thriller". The Hollywood Gossip. January 15, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  19. Parsley, Aaron (August 16, 2007). "Heidi Montag 'Upset' Over Leaked Song". People.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  20. Spencer, Kate (August 17, 2007). "Heidi Montag Freaks After Song Leaks". Blog.vh1.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  21. Archived June 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  22. "Heidi Montag Thanks You for Your Comments". People. February 6, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  23. "Listen to Heidi Montag's New Single "No More"". US Weekly. March 25, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
  24. "Listen to Heidi Montag's New Single "Fashion"". usmagazine.com. June 23, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  25. "UPDATE: Heidi's Rep Denies Knowledge of Leaked Duet with Britney Spears | Access Online". March 3, 2008.
  26. "Steve Morales Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  27. "Don't Give up the Day Job: Even Auto-Tune Couldn't Help Heidi Montag's Pop Career". January 16, 2013.
  28. "Heidi Montag hires Cathy Dennis to make her a pop star". News.com.au. March 18, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  29. "Heidi Montag and the ladies of 'The Hills': The gift that keeps on giving?". Entertainment Weekly.
  30. "Digital Booklet - Superficial PDF | PDF | Television | Entertainment (General)".
  31. "Body Language". Amazon.
  32. "Check Out Heidi Montag's Debut Album Superficial Here". MTV.
  33. 1 2 Harp, Justin, "Momsen 'surprised by Montag song cover'", Digital Spy, October 15, 2010, retrieved January 3, 2011
  34. "Taylor Momsen wrote Heidi Montag's song?!". October 15, 2010.
  35. 1 2 "Heidi Montag – More is More (Dave Audé Mix) (2009, CDR)". Discogs. August 3, 2023.
  36. Garcia, Jennifer (January 12, 2010). "Heidi Montag's Superficial Album Drops". People. Time Inc. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  37. Vena, Jocelyn (August 28, 2009). "Will Heidi Montag Title Her Album I'm Pregnant?! - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  38. Layton, Kieran (January 21, 2010). "Music Review: Heidi Montag's 'Superficial'". The Pitt News.
  39. 1 2 "Heidi Montag, You FINALLY Released Your Debut Album 'Superficial!' We Give It One Star — It's A Guilty Pleasure". Hollywood Life. January 14, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  40. Layton, Kieran (January 20, 2010). "Music Review: Heidi Montag's 'Superficial'". The Pitt News. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  41. "Heidi Montag's New Song: "Eat My Panties Off of Me"". UsMagazine.com. January 12, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  42. 1 2 "'Hills' Star Heidi Montag Plans Christian Album". foxnews.com. July 1, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  43. "Heidi Montag – Look How I'm Doing (2009, File)". Discogs. April 2009.
  44. "Heidi Montag – Your Love Found Me (2009, File)". Discogs. April 2009.
  45. 1 2 "Heidi Montag - More is More (Dave Audé Mix)". Discogs. August 3, 2023.
  46. Trust, Gary (July 1, 2009). "Chart Beat: Dierks Bentley, Seether, Heidi Montag". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  47. "Heidi Montag Music News & Info". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  48. "Heidi Montag – Wherever I Am (2009, File)". Discogs. April 28, 2009.
  49. "Wherever I Am EP". Amazon.
  50. "Wherever I Am EP". Spotify. April 28, 2009.
  51. "Heidi Montag – Blackout (2009, File)". Discogs. May 19, 2009.
  52. "Heidi Montag: Blackout". IMDb.
  53. "Heidi Montag – Here She Is... (2009, File)". Discogs. August 4, 2009.
  54. "Here She Is... - Heidi Montag | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  55. "Heidi Montag – Body Language (2009, File)". Discogs. August 14, 2009.
  56. "Heidi Montag's Song "Body Language" Features Spencer Pratt and I Am Floored". January 19, 2018.
  57. 1 2 "Heidi Montag – Superficial (2009, File)". Discogs. November 23, 2009.
  58. "See Heidi Montag's 'Superficial' Music Video".
  59. 1 2 "Superficial". Amazon.
  60. "Superficial by Heidi Montag". iTunes. Apple. January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  61. "Celebug! The Hottest Celebrity Gossip!". Celebug.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  62. 1 2 "Heidi Montag Reveals Her Superficial Album Cover". MTV.
  63. Garcia, Jen (November 24, 2009). "SNEAK PEEK: Heidi Montag's Album Cover". People.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  64. 1 2 https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Heidi_Montag_Superficial?id=B4eplfv5yxfwp24ffl7djnwmdn4
  65. A&E. "CD Review – "Superficial" by Heidi Montag". The Channels. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  66. "CBB star Heidi Montag - was she the worst pop star ever?".
  67. "Heidi Montag's Album, 'Superficial,' is Out! | LimeLife". www.limelife.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010.
  68. "Heidi Montag | Superficial Album | iTunes | Fanatic | Body Language | Video". homorazzi.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  69. "Music: Heidi Montag Returns with the Holiest of Bops 'Glitter & Glory' – Culture Fix".
  70. Wass, Mike (April 25, 2018). "Heidi Montag Reflects On Her Pop Career: "I Thought It Was Just The Beginning"". Idolator.
  71. "Heidi Montag's 'Superficial' Deep In My Heart Dive Legends Only podcast". player.fm. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020.
  72. Michael Love Michael (February 20, 2019). "In Conversation: Slayyyter and Heidi Montag". Paper. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  73. "In Defense of Heidi Montag's 'Superficial'". December 28, 2012.
  74. https://www.billboard.com/artist/heidi-montag/chart-history/heatseekers-albums
  75. Johnson, Billy (January 22, 2010). "Jan. 18-24: Backlash And Global Aid | Stop The Presses! - Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  76. "Heidi Montag - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015.
  77. usmagazine.com (January 20, 2010). "Heidi Montag Album Sells Less Than 1,000 Copies". UsMagazine.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  78. "Heidi Montag blames poor album sales on lack of promotion!". The Prophet Blog. April 5, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  79. Usmar, Jo (April 18, 2012). "Heidi Montag releases new album of pop tracks even though last flop cost her $2million". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  80. Grimes, Gary (March 22, 2023). "Is fashion finally recognising Heidi Montag as the pop genius she is?". Dazed. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  81. "Heidi Montag - Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.