User:Leftperson99right89all9898/sandbox/Lena/Silhouettes
| Silhouettes | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 7, 2025 | |||
| Studio | Chipp's Home Studio | |||
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| Length | 50:25 | |||
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| Producer | Chipp | |||
| Lena chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sihouettes | ||||
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Sihouettes is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Lena, released on March 7, 2025, through Deep End Records via Republic Records. The album features 13 tracks, all co-written by Lena and Chipp, with the exception of "Solitude", which was written solely by Lena, and "Stairwell", which features additional writing from Boygenius.
The album was highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, due in part to the success of the lead single "Shadow", which debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "Love Song", was released on March 6, 2025, one day before the album's release.
"Silhouettes" marks a departure from Lena's previous pop sound, incorporating influences of indie rock, electronica, and synth-pop. The album has been praised for its experimentation and genre-bending qualities, as well as Lena's strong vocal performance.
Critical reception to the album has been positive, with many critics praising Lena's growth and development as an artist. The album currently holds an 85 out of 100 score on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim".
Commercially, "Silhouettes" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking Lena's first album to reach the top of the chart in the United States. The album has also been a commercial success in Europe, debuting in the top five of several charts, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
The album's music videos, particularly for "Shadow" and "Love Song", have also received critical acclaim, with many noting their artistic and visually stunning nature. The video for "Love Song" also caused a stir among fans, as it featured a kissing scene between Lena and her co-writer, Chipp, which was the public announcement of their relationship.
Background
[edit]The album was announced on December 31, 2024, through Lena's social media accounts. The singer expressed her excitement for the new project, stating that it would mark a departure from her previous musical style. She described Silhouettes as an "upbeat indie rock album with influences of electronica and synth-pop".
Lena worked on the album throughout 2024, writing and recording the songs in various studios across Europe and the United States. She described the writing process as a collaborative effort with Chipp, who she credits with pushing her to explore new sounds and musical ideas. "We wanted to make something that was fun and energetic but also had a depth and substance to it," Lena said in an interview with Billboard. "We were inspired by a lot of different genres, from classic rock to 80s pop to modern indie music."
The album's lead single, "Shadow", was released on January 17, 2025, along with a music video directed by acclaimed filmmaker John Doe. The song received critical acclaim and debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Writing and production
[edit]In early 2024, Lena and Chipp had completed a total of 15 tracks, which they then narrowed down to the final 13 tracks that would make up "Silhouettes." The two of them co-wrote all the tracks, except for the final track "Solitude," which Lena wrote on her own.
The album was produced in Chipp's personal studio in Los Angeles, where Lena spent a lot of time recording and fine-tuning the tracks. Chipp used a mix of analog and digital instruments, including vintage synthesizers, guitars, and drum machines, to create the distinctive sound of the album.
Once the tracks were recorded and mixed, the album was sent for mastering to a renowned mastering engineer. The final version of the album was then delivered to Lena's label, who took charge of the album's release and marketing.
Music and lyrics
[edit]"Ordinarily" - This is the opening track of the album and is a slow and introspective piece. The song features minimal instrumentation with Lena's vocals being the primary focus. The lyrics explore the idea of finding beauty in everyday life and appreciating the small moments.
"Falling Down" - The second track of the album is an upbeat indie pop song with an infectious chorus. The lyrics deal with the feelings of falling in love and the excitement that comes with it.
"Silhouettes" - The title track of the album is a haunting and atmospheric piece. The song features a minimalist production with Lena's ethereal vocals being the centerpiece. The lyrics explore the idea of letting go of the past and embracing the unknown future.
"Love Song" - This is the third track on the album and the second single that was released prior to the album's release. The song features a mix of indie pop and electronica with a catchy chorus. The lyrics explore the feelings of falling in love and the excitement that comes with it.
"The Moon" - The fifth track on the album is a mid-tempo indie rock song with a dreamy feel. The lyrics deal with the theme of isolation and loneliness, with the moon serving as a metaphor for feeling disconnected from the world.
"Alpine" - This is a slow and atmospheric track with minimalist production. The lyrics explore the feeling of being lost and searching for direction.
"Candle" - The seventh track of the album is an upbeat indie pop song with a catchy chorus. The lyrics deal with the theme of hope and positivity in the face of difficult times.
"Shadow" - This is the lead single of the album and the ninth track. It's an upbeat indie rock song with electronica and synth-pop influences. The lyrics explore the idea of being haunted by the shadow of one's past and finding the strength to move on.
"All I Am" - This is a slow and introspective track with minimalist production. The lyrics deal with the theme of self-discovery and finding one's true identity.
"Fading" - The tenth track on the album is an upbeat indie pop song with a catchy chorus. The lyrics deal with the theme of letting go of a toxic relationship and moving on.
"Stairwell" (feat. boygenius) - This track features the indie rock supergroup boygenius, consisting of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. The song is a slow and emotional ballad with minimalist production. The lyrics explore the theme of trying to move on from a past relationship.
"Top of the Hill" - This is an upbeat indie pop song with a catchy chorus. The lyrics deal with the theme of overcoming obstacles and reaching new heights.
"Solitude" - This is the closing track of the album and is a slow and introspective piece with minimalist production. The lyrics explore the theme of being comfortable with one's own company and finding peace in solitude.
Overall, Silhouettes is a diverse album that showcases Lena's versatility as an artist. The lyrics explore a range of themes such as love, loneliness, self-discovery, and overcoming obstacles. The music is a mix of indie rock, electronica, and synth-pop, with a minimalist production that puts Lena's emotive vocals at the forefront
Art direction
[edit]The album cover art for "Silhouettes" features an abstract portrait of Lena, with her face obscured by overlapping shapes and lines in various shades of blue and purple. The design was created by acclaimed graphic designer and artist Mary Ann Smith, who has worked with several high-profile musicians over the years.
According to Smith, the album's art direction was inspired by Lena's desire to convey the theme of self-discovery and introspection that runs throughout the album's lyrics. Smith worked closely with Lena and her team to create a visual representation of this concept, using geometric shapes and colors to create a sense of depth and movement.
The album's interior artwork features a series of photographs by renowned fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, who sadly passed away in early 2025. The photographs depict Lena in a variety of poses and outfits, with an emphasis on natural lighting and understated elegance.
The overall art direction and design of "Silhouettes" has been praised for its simplicity and elegance, with critics noting that it reflects the album's themes of self-exploration and personal growth. The use of abstract shapes and lines on the cover has also been praised for its ability to draw the viewer in and invite them to explore the album's content.
In addition to the physical album artwork, Lena and her team also released a series of digital assets, including social media graphics and animated lyric videos, all of which feature variations of the album's abstract portrait design.
Release and promotion
[edit]The album's lead single, "Shadow", was released on January 17, 2025 and was accompanied by a music video featuring dramatic and high-budget visuals focusing on the shadows of the characters. The single debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was well-received by both fans and critics, who praised Lena's shift in genre.
The album's second single, "Love Song", was released on March 6, 2025, a day before the album's release. The music video featured Lena and her partner, Chipp, sharing a kiss at the end, publicly announcing their relationship. The single debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Leading up to the album's release, Lena was highly interactive with her fans, dropping hints about the album and sharing clips of the songs on social media. The album was highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, with many eager to hear Lena's new sound.
The Silhouette Stadium Tour embarked in 2026 promoting the album.
Critical response
[edit]Metacritic, a website that aggregates reviews from music critics, assigned the album a score of 85 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim". Reviewers praised Lena's vocal performance, the cohesiveness of the album, and the vulnerability in her songwriting.
Rolling Stone's review of the album described it as "a triumph of a record, showcasing Lena's growth as an artist and songwriter". Pitchfork stated that "Lena's shift in genre was not only a natural evolution, but a successful one, with 'Silhouettes' standing as one of the strongest albums of the year."
NME called the album "a stunning showcase of Lena's songwriting and vocal ability, with standout tracks like 'Shadow' and 'Love Song' demonstrating her versatility as an artist." Entertainment Weekly praised Lena's decision to take risks with her sound and called "Silhouettes" a "bold and refreshing statement."
Other publications that praised the album included Billboard, The Guardian, and Consequence of Sound. The album's success on the charts was also noted, with "Silhouettes" debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, and charting in several other countries.
Overall, "Silhouettes" was widely regarded as a successful shift in Lena's sound, showcasing her growth as an artist and solidifying her place in the indie rock and folk pop genres.
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 85/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Rolling Stone |   |
| Pitchfork |    |
| NME | |
| Billboard |  |
| The Guardian | |
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ordinarily" |
| Chipp | 3:25 |
| 2. | "Falling Down" |
| Chipp | 3:40 |
| 3. | "Silhouettes" |
| Chipp | 4:10 |
| 4. | "Love Song" |
| Chipp | 3:55 |
| 5. | "The Moon" |
| Chipp | 3:30 |
| 6. | "Alpine" |
| Chipp | 4:20 |
| 7. | "Candle" |
| Chipp | 3:50 |
| 8. | "Shadow" |
| Chipp | 4:05 |
| 9. | "All I Am" |
| Chipp | 3:45 |
| 10. | "Fading" |
| Chipp | 4:00 |
| 11. | "Stairwell" (featuring Boygenius) |
| Chipp | 3:55 |
| 12. | "Top of the Hill" |
| Chipp | 3:35 |
| 13. | "Solitude" | Sanders | Chipp | 4:15 |
| Total length: | 50:25 | |||