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Trying Not to Think About It

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Trying Not to Think About It
Studio album by
JoJo
ReleasedOctober 1, 2021 (2021-10-01)
Recorded2021
Studio
  • T4U Studios (Burbank)
  • Sphere Studios (Burbank)
  • Blackwood Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Luuna's Room (Los Angeles)
  • Prescription Songs (Nashville)
  • Ameraycan Recording Studios (North Hollywood)
GenreR&B
Length32:56
Label
  • Clover Music
Warner
Producer
  • Caroline Baker
  • Cardiak
  • James Droll
  • Dernst Emile II
  • Nikki Flores
  • Rob Grimaldi
  • Joanna Levesque
  • JordanXL
  • Noise Club
  • Kelvin Wu10
JoJo chronology
December Baby
(2020) 		Trying Not to Think About It
(2021)
Singles from Trying Not To Think About It
  1. "Worst (I Assume)"
    Released: August 20, 2021
  2. "Anxiety (Burlinda's Theme)"
    Released: October 1, 2021

Trying Not to Think About It is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter JoJo. It was released on October 1, 2021, by Clover Music and Warner Records. Incorporating a base core of R&B, pop, and soul music, it was JoJo's third release under her own label imprint Clover Music.

Following the release of her first Christmas album December Baby (2020), production began on the "time capsule project" at the start of 2021. JoJo wanted to make a record that encapsulated the feelings she experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects it had on her personal life, career, and confidence as a performer. JoJo wrote and produced the album alongside Jordan XL, Noise Club, Dernst "D Mile" Emile II, Rob Grimaldi, Cardiak, Nikki Flores and various other collaborators. With the exception of "B.I.D.", JoJo co-wrote every song on the album.

To promote the album, JoJo embarked on the Trying Not to Think About It Tour which began the day after its release. The tour played for six dates across the United States. The album was further promoted through the 42-date world tour, JoJo Tour 2022, which began the following year. The album's lead single, "Worst (I Assume)", was released on August 20, 2021 and peaked at number 25 on the Adult R&B Airplay Chart. On the same day as the release of the album, "Anxiety (Burlinda's Theme)" was released its second single.

Upon its release, the album received generally favorable reviews from music critics. It was highlighted by several music publications in their year-end lists of the top R&B albums for 2021. Trying Not To Think About It failed to debut on the US Billboard 200, but did chart on the Top Album Sales chart at number 80, while also debuting at number 56 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.

Background and development

[edit]

On October 30, 2020, JoJo released her fifth studio album December Baby, her first album of Christmas music. In January 2021, JoJo canceled her Good to Know tour after having previously rescheduled it twice due to the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that she was planning on having a new album released by 2022.[1] JoJo first announced the Trying Not to Think About It project in a YouTube livestream on May 27, 2021. She labeled it as neither an album nor EP stating: "I really want it to exist in its own little moment, have it look a certain way, feel a certain way and sound a certain way".[2] JoJo described the release as a "time capsule" of how she felt during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said: "The pandemic made all of us come face to face not only with ourselves but with our coping mechanisms."[3]

Recording sessions for Trying Not to Think About It were generally conducted at Blackwood Studios in California with additional sessions in California's T4U Studios, Sphere Studios, Luuna's Room; Ameraycan Recording Studios and the Prescription Songs Nashville Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.[4]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Dani Blum from Pitchfork provided a mixed review of the album, who called it her "rawest and most cohesive project to date", but also said that it "too often relies on familiar imagery".[5]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Trying Not to Think About It failed to debut on the US Billboard 200 but debuted on the Top Current Album Sales and Top Album Sales chart at number 51 and number 80 respectively.[6] The album also made its debut on the UK R&B Albums Chart at number 32.[7]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Publication List Rank
Yardbarker[8] The Best R&B Albums of 2021 10
Vibe[9] The 21 Best R&B Albums of 2021 5
American Songwriter[10] The 41 Best Albums of 2021 2
Rated R&B[11] 30 Best R&B Albums of 2021 16

Promotion

[edit]

On August 16, 2021, JoJo announced the release of the album and its lead single "Worst (I Assume)".[12] JoJo also announced the six-date Trying Not to Think About It Tour in support of the album.[13][12] The album was further promoted through the 42-date world tour, JoJo Tour 2022, which began the following year.[14]

Singles

[edit]

"Worst (I Assume)" was released as the lead single from the album on August 20, 2021. The song was written by JoJo alongside Tiara Thomas, Carl McCormick and Kelvin Wooten and produced by Cardiak and Kelvin Wu10. The accompanying music video was shot in Downtown, Los Angeles with director Alfredo Flores and was shot in one take.[15] The song was written "from the protective mechanism that sometimes people have of bracing for the worst in a relationship, whether it's romantic, or professional, even though that might not be what ends up happening".[15] On the same day as the release of the album, JoJo released its second single, "Anxiety (Burlinda’s Theme)", alongside a music video also directed by Flores.[16][17]

Tour

[edit]
Trying Not to Think About It Tour
Tour by JoJo
Promotional poster for the tour
Associated albumTrying Not to Think About It
Start dateOctober 2, 2021 (2021-10-02)
End dateOctober 11, 2021 (2021-10-11)
Legs1
No. of shows6 in North America
JoJo concert chronology

JoJo announced on her Instagram that the Trying Not to Think About It Tour would commence immediately following the release of the album. The tour was a six-date run of intimate live shows that visited Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nashville, and Los Angeles. The show included the first live performances of songs from JoJo's fourth studio album Good to Know. General on sale tickets went on sale on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:00 am.[18][19] Tiara Thomas was announced as the opening act for all tour dates, but on October 2, it was announced that due to unforeseen circumstances Tiara Thomas would only appear at the Los Angeles show.[20][13][21]

Setlist

[edit]

This set list is representative of the performance on October 4, 2021, in New York City, Music Hall of Williamsburg. It is not representative of all concerts for the duration of the show.

  1. "World of Sunshine"
  2. "Anxiety (Burlinda’s Theme)"
  3. "Pedialyte"
  4. "Gold" (Rain Down on Me interlude)
  5. "Worst (I Assume)" (Pick Up Your Feelings Interlude)
  6. "Kiss"
  7. "Fresh New Sheets"
  8. "Lonely Hearts"
  9. "Thinking Out Loud"
  10. "Think About You"
  11. "Feel Alright"
  12. "Too Little Too Late"
  13. "Spiral SZN"
  14. "Say Love"
  15. "Marvins Room (Can't Do Better)" (Drake cover)
  16. "Dissolve"
Encore
  2. "Comeback"
  3. "Leave (Get Out)"

Tour dates

[edit]
Date City Country Venue
North America[22][23]
October 2, 2021 Boston United States Sinclair
October 4, 2021 New York Music Hall of Williamsburg
October 5, 2021 Philadelphia Underground Arts
October 7, 2021 Atlanta Terminal West
October 9, 2021 Nashville Exit/In
October 11, 2021 Los Angeles El Rey

Track listing

[edit]
Trying Not to Think About It[24]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."World of Sunshine" (Intro)
  • Jordan XL
2:42
2."Anxiety (Burlinda's Theme)"
  • Levesque
  • Kennedi Lykken
  • Robert McCurdy
  • Christopher Petrosino
  • Noise Club
4:05
3."Dissolve"
3:31
4."Good Enough" (Interlude)
  • Nikki Flores
2:08
5."B.I.D."
  • Michael Holmes
  • Gracie Ella
  • DZL
3:07
6."Feel Alright"
  • Rob Grimaldi
2:56
7."Fresh New Sheets"
  • Levesque
  • Flores
  • Nikki Flores
4:59
8."Sugar & Carbs" (Interlude)
  • Levesque
  • Levesque
0:21
9."Spiral SZN"
  • Levesque
  • Nate Cyphert
  • Riley Biederer
  • Grimaldi
  • Rob Grimaldi
2:48
10."Nikki's Sound Bath" (Interlude)
  • Levesque
  • Flores
  • Nikki Flores
0:48
11."Worst (I Assume)"
3:08
12."Lift"
  • Levesque
  • James Droll
  • Caroline Baker
Caroline Baker2:23
Total length:32:56

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[4]

Creativity and management

Performers

  • JoJo – lead vocals, background vocals, writing, producer
  • Nikki Flores – background vocals, writing, recording
  • Tommy Parker – background vocals

Technical

  • Jordan Orvosh – writing
  • Jordan XL – producer
  • Xu Zhu – recording
  • Tyler Scott – mixing
  • David K. Younghyun – mixing engineer, mixing assistant
  • Kennedi Lykken – writing
  • Robert McCurdy – writing
  • Christopher Petrosino – writing
  • Noise Club – producer, recording
  • Thomas Westly Lumpkins – writing
  • Isabella Sjöstrand – writing
  • Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II – writing, producer, recording
  • Donaldson "DC" Cenatus – mixing
  • Michael Holmes – writing
  • Gracie Ella – writing
  • DZL – producer
  • Elijah Blake – writing
  • Bianca "Blush" Atterberry – writing
  • Rob Grimaldi – writing, producer
  • JinJoo Lee – guitar
  • MoDre – bass
  • Katsuya Sezaki – guitar recording
  • Nate Cyphert – writing
  • Riley Biederer – writing
  • Tiara Thomas – writing
  • Carl McCormick – writing
  • Kelvin Wooten – writing
  • Cardiak – producer
  • Kelvin Wu10 – producer
  • Randy Urbanski – recording
  • James Droll – writing
  • Caroline Baker – writing, producer, recording
  • John Lowell Anderson – mixing engineer assistant

Charts

[edit]
Chart listings for Trying Not to Think About It
Chart (2021) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[25] 56
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[26] 80

Release history

[edit]
Release formats for Trying Not to Think About It
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various October 1, 2021
Digital edition
[27]
October 15, 2021 CD Physical edition [28]
November 18, 2022 Vinyl [29]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "JoJo cancels Good To Know tour (but hints at new music)". Electric Angels. 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  2. ^ "Creature of Habit Livestream". Archived from the original on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  3. ^ "JoJo Talks Her New EP, "Trying Not To Think About It"". Wonderland Magazine. June 29, 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  4. ^ a b Trying Not to Think About It (booklet). Clover Music/Warner. 2021.
  5. ^ Blum, Dani. "JoJo: Trying Not to Think About It". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  6. ^ "JoJo | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  7. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart on 8/10/2021". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 2022-10-09. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  8. ^ "Year in review: The best R&B albums of 2021". Yardbarker. January 16, 2022. Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  9. ^ "The 21 Best R&B Albums Of 2021". Vibe. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "The 41 Best Albums of 2021". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  11. ^ https://ratedrnb.com/2021/12/the-30-best-rnb-albums-of-2021-staff-picks
  12. ^ a b Skinner, Tom (2021-08-17). "JoJo announces new "capsule project", 'Trying Not To Think About It'". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  13. ^ a b Iahn, Buddy (August 16, 2021). "JoJo announces 'Trying Not To Think About It'". The Music Universe. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  14. ^ Folk, Antwane (2021-10-27). "JoJo Announces 2022 World Tour". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  15. ^ a b "JoJo Talks New Music at American Music Awards: 'If You're a Depressed Millennial, It'll Resonate'". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  16. ^ "New music roundup: Pentatonix, JoJo and more | ABC Audio Digital Syndication". digital.abcaudio.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  17. ^ Vlamis, Nikos (2021-10-04). "JoJo premieres music video for "Anxiety (Burlinda's Theme)"". allboutmusic.net. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  18. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  19. ^ "JoJo Announces 12-Track EP 'Trying Not To Think About It' & Single 'Worst (I Assume)' – That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Archived from the original on 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2021-10-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  22. ^ "Eventbrite". Eventbrite. Archived from the original on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  23. ^ "TicketWeb – independent music concert tickets and more". www.ticketweb.com. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  24. ^ "trying not to think about it by JoJo on Apple Music". October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via music.apple.com.
  25. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart". www.officialcharts.com.
  26. ^ "JoJo Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  27. ^ "trying not to think about it by JoJo on Apple Music". Australia: iTunes Store. October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  28. ^ "Trying Not to Think About It EP". store.iamjojoofficial.com. Warner Music. October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  29. ^ "Trying Not to Think About It EP". amazon.com. Warner Music. October 1, 2022. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
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