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The End of an Era

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The End of an Era
Azalea lying on a wall covered in tiles. Behind her is a statue of three people holding a globe with the album title in neon capital letters.
Standard edition cover
Studio album by
Iggy Azalea
Released13 August 2021
GenreHip house
Length39:27
Label
Producer
Iggy Azalea chronology
Wicked Lips
(2019) 		The End of an Era
(2021)
Alternate Cover
Deluxe edition cover
Singles from The End of an Era
  1. "Sip It"
    Released: 2 April 2021
  2. "Brazil"
    Released: 2 April 2021[1]
  3. "Iam the Stripclub"
    Released: 2 July 2021[2]

The End of an Era is the third and final studio album by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It was released independently on 13 August 2021 through Azalea's label Bad Dreams Records and Empire Distribution, with the deluxe edition following on 17 September 2021. Taking inspiration from the end of her 20s for the title, Azalea stated that she wanted the album to be a "time capsule" of that decade of her life. The End of an Era includes guest appearances from Bia, Sophia Scott and Ellise on the standard edition, while Alice Chater and Tyga are featured on the deluxe edition. Production was handled by Azalea's frequent collaborator J. White Did It and several others. It was preceded by three singles: "Sip It", "Brazil" and "Iam the Stripclub".

The End of an Era received positive reviews from music critics. The album reached number nine on the Australian Hip Hop/R&B albums chart and number thirty six on the UK R&B Albums chart. It failed to replicate the success of her debut and sophomore album in any territory. To further promote the album, Azalea joined Pitbull as the opening act on his I Feel Good Tour.[citation needed]

Background and release

[edit]

In 2019, Azalea released her second studio album In My Defense and her fifth EP Wicked Lips. Following the release of the latter, she began working on further music with several producers,[3] including J. White Did It with whom she had collaborated extensively on In My Defense and Wicked Lips.[4] White described Azalea as "laser focused on getting the people something fresh, something new" and praised her work ethic.[4] On 21 August 2020, she released a standalone single with Tinashe titled "Dance Like Nobody's Watching".[4][5][6]

In March 2021, Azalea tweeted that the sound of her third studio album would mark a return to her mixtape roots.[7] She revealed the cover art on 3 August 2021 on her Instagram. Two days later, she shared the track listing along with the pre-order of the album and promotional single "Sex on the Beach".[8] On 17 September 2021, Azalea released the deluxe edition of The End of an Era, featuring three additional songs.[9][better source needed]

Promotion

[edit]

Singles

[edit]

On 2 April 2021, Azalea released "Sip It", a collaboration with Tyga, as the official lead single from The End of an Era.[10] It includes a B-side titled "Brazil".[7][10] A music video was uploaded for "Sip It" on the same day,[10] while "Brazil" received a remix featuring Brazilian drag queen and recording artist Gloria Groove on 20 April 2021 accompanied by a visualiser for the original version.[11] "Sip It" peaked at 40 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.[12] "Sip It" does not appear on the standard version of the album, but appears on the deluxe version. "Brazil" appears on both versions of the album.

On 2 July 2021, Azalea released the second single from The End of an Era, "Iam the Stripclub". Its music video, uploaded the same day, attracted controversy due to accusations of blackfishing; Azalea called the allegations "ridiculous and baseless".[13][14]

On 5 August 2021, a week before the album, Azalea released "Sex on the Beach" featuring Sophia Scott as the promotional single from The End of an Era.[15] Azalea said in an interview with Billboard that she decided to keep Scott, a relatively unknown artist, on the song, "I liked her voice and I wanted to stay true to the intent of the song. For me this album is more about a passion project than wanting it to be some gigantic commercial success."[16]

Tour

[edit]

To further promote the album, Azalea joined Pitbull as the opening act on his I Feel Good Tour. The tour covered 33 cities across the United States. It began on 20 August 2021 in Clarkston, Michigan and finished on 16 October 2021 in Rapid City, South Dakota.[17]

Artwork and title

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The standard edition artwork for The End of an Era depicts Azalea lying on a wall covered in tiles. Behind her is a statue of three people holding a globe with the album title in neon capital letters, inspired by the film Scarface (1983).[18][19] The deluxe edition artwork also features the statue, but shows Azalea lying in an inflatable chair in the middle of a pool. She is surrounded by drowning men and banknotes, a reference to the film The Great Gatsby (2013).[18] Both artworks were photographed by Thom Kerr.[20]

Azalea stated that the title The End of an Era refers to the end of her 20s and that she wanted the album to be a "time capsule" of that decade of her life.[21] She also mentioned that she would take a hiatus from music for several years after the album's release to focus on other projects.[22][23]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Tom Hull – on the WebA−[24]

The album received positive reviews, Tom Hull responded positively to the album, particularly the production behind songs like "Emo Club Anthem" and "Good Times with Bad People": "I'm feeling kind of weird liking a song where the refrain is 'I love drugs,' or another explaining 'You need a good girl / I'm just a good time.' I suppose I could blame the beats."[24] Happy Magazine also rated the album highly, with reviewer Matthew Leong saying, "The End of an Era is a club-ready farewell from one of hip hop's most intriguing and visually creative figures. The young rapper who fought tooth and nail to be heard, is leaving behind a musical legacy that demands you to get on your feet, take a shot and dance the night away."[25] In another positive review, Cameron Sunkel of EDM calls tracks "STFU", "Iam the Stripclub", and "Emo Club Anthem" as standout album tracks saying of the latter: "The self-indulgent 'Emo Club Anthem' boasts a moody, detuned club synth that sounds like the cross between a future house and bass house producer's repertoire."[26] Gloria called the album "this generation's Blackout".[27]

Track listing

[edit]
The End of an Era – standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sirens"Amethyst Amelia Kelly
  • AJ Ruined My Record
  • Jay Scalez
2:55
2."Brazil"
  • AJ Ruined My Record
  • Jay Scalez
3:09
3."Pillow Fight"
[28]		A. G. Cook2:47
4."Emo Club Anthem"
Jay Scalez2:50
5."STFU"
AJ Ruined My Record2:31
6."Iam the Stripclub"
J. White Did It2:48
7."Nights Like This"KellyCarl Falk2:33
8."Woke Up (Diamonds)"
  • Kelly
  • Tedra Wilson
  • AJ Ruined My Record
  • Jay Scalez
2:41
9."Is That Right" (featuring Bia)
  • Young Forever Beats
  • AJ Ruined My Record
2:50
10."XXXTRA"KellyAJ Ruined My Record3:03
11."Peach Body"
  • Kelly
  • Keanu Beats
  • Pliznaya
  • Lil'A Beats
3:08
12."Sex on the Beach" (featuring Sophia Scott)
Jay Scalez3:01
13."Good Times with Bad People"KellyOG Parker2:25
14."Day 3 in Miami (End of an Era)" (featuring Ellise)
The 87's2:46
Total length:39:27
The End of an Era – deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."N.Y.E." (featuring Alice Chater)
  • AJ Ruined My Record
  • Jay Scalez
3:33
16."Sip It" (with Tyga)
  • Smash David
  • OG Parker
3:15
17."Posh Spice"KellyThe 87's2:29
Total length:51:18

Charts

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Chart performance for The End of an Era
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA)[29] 9
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[30] 36

Release history

[edit]
Release history for End Of An Era
Region Date Format Edition Label Ref.
Various 13 August 2021
Standard Bad Dreams [31]
September 17, 2021 Deluxe [32]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Brazil - Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. 2 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Iam the Stripclub - Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. 2 July 2021.
  3. ^ Peters, Mitchell (16 August 2020). "Iggy Azalea Teases New Music, Shows Off Tiny Post-Baby Waist in Tie-Dye Dress". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Espinoza, Joshua (21 August 2020). "Iggy Azalea and Tinashe Reconnect on New Track "Dance Like Nobody's Watching"". Complex. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  5. ^ Billboard Staff (21 August 2020). "Iggy Azalea and Tinashe Want You to 'Dance Like Nobody's Watching': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  6. ^ Wass, Mike (21 August 2020). "Iggy Azalea & Tinashe Reunite On "Dance Like Nobody's Watching"". Idolator. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Iggy Azalea Reunites with Tyga in 'Sip It' Video". Rap-Up. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Iggy Azalea Reveals 'The End of an Era' tracklist". Rap-Up. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  9. ^ "The End Of An Era (Deluxe)". iTunes. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Price, Joe (2 April 2021). "Iggy Azalea and Tyga Team Up For Colorful "Sip It" Video". Complex. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Brazil (Remix) - Single by Iggy Azalea & Gloria Groove on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  12. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  13. ^ Cox, Lauren (4 July 2021). "Iggy Azalea accused of 'blackfishing' in new music video, 'I Am The Stripclub'". News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  14. ^ Song, Sandra (6 July 2021). "Iggy Azalea Responds to Music Video Blackfishing Accusations". Paper. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  15. ^ Marie, Erika (6 August 2021). "Iggy Azalea Adds Singer Sophia Scott To "Sex On The Beach" Single". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  16. ^ Kaufmin, Gil (13 August 2021). "Iggy Azalea Talks Dancing Off Into the Sunset on Her Own Terms With 'The End of an Era'". Billboard. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  17. ^ n/a, n/a (25 September 2021). "PITBULL-'I Feel Good' W/ Special Guest Iggy Azalea". The Monument. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  18. ^ a b Rashad (10 August 2021). "'End of An Era': Iggy Azalea Unveils New Album Tracklist, Deluxe Edition Artwork". That Grape Juice. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  19. ^ White, Caitlin (4 August 2021). "Iggy Azalea's Album Cover For 'The End Of An Era' Is A 'Scarface' Reference". Uproxx. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Thom Kerr: Iggy Azalea". Thom Kerr. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  21. ^ Uykucuoglu, Berk (21 March 2021). "Iggy Azalea Reveals Why She Called Her Latest Album 'End Of An Era'". From the Stage. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  22. ^ Chan, Anna (16 July 2021). "Iggy Azalea Plans to 'Take a Few Years' Away From Music After Next Album". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  23. ^ Song, Sandra (17 July 2021). "Iggy Azalea Says She Won't Make Music for the Next 'Few Years'". Paper. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  24. ^ a b Hull, Tom (30 August 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  25. ^ Leong, Matthew (16 August 2021). "Iggy Azalea- "The End of an Era" Album Review". Happy Mag. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  26. ^ Sunkel, Cameron (17 August 2021). "IGGY AZALEA EXPLORES MULTI-GENRE ELECTRONIC MUSIC INFLUENCES IN FINAL ALBUM: LISTEN". EDM. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Iggy Azalea je britka reperica koja je oborila rekorde Beatlesa i pokazala srednjak izdavačima". Gloria (in Croatian). 19 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  28. ^ "ACE Repertory - Pillow Fight". ASCAP. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  29. ^ "ARIA Top 10 Australian HIP HOP/R&B Albums". ARIA. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  31. ^ Iggy Azalea [@IGGYAZALEA] (2 August 2021). "Aug 13th marks the End of An Era t.co/M44g1cG7C1" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ "The End Of An Era (Deluxe)". iTunes. Apple Inc. 17 September 2021.
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