Situation: Critical is Ultra Naté's third album, released on Strictly Rhythm in 1998. The album and especially its lead single, "Free", has become her most successful work of music in the mainstream pop world on both sides of the Atlantic so far. "Found a Cure" and "New Kind of Medicine" were also hit singles.
As of July 1999, the album sold 150,000 units in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.[3] She told in an interview about the album, "It has dance elements but it's much broader than just that. There are ballads, mid-tempo grooves. Overall I think it's very warm. I think it's a good llstening album."[4]
British magazine Music Week wrote, "As well as tackling traditional disco topics such as the pain of love, self-written songs such as the title track and "Release the Pressure" focus on social comment, always from a personal, uplifting perspective. There are times when the slickness of the production stands in the way of the message, but Ultra Nate's personality always shines through."[2]
^"Since signing to the label, Naté has issued the album "Situation: Critical", which has sold 150,000 units in the U.S., according to SoundScan.". Billboard. July 24, 1999. Retrieved July 18, 2020.