Union J (album)

Union J is the self-titled debut studio album by English boy band Union J. It was released in the United Kingdom on 28 October 2013 through RCA Records, and debuted at number six on the UK Albums Chart.

Union J
Studio album by
Union J
Released28 October 2013 (2013-10-28)
Recorded2013
GenrePop
Length
  • 35:31 (Standard)
  • 48:48 (Deluxe)
LabelRCA, Syco
Producer
  • Joseph Lawrence
  • Steve Mac
  • Tim Powell
  • Tom, Dick & Harry Productions
  • Ze Infidels
Union J chronology
Union J
(2013)		 You Got It All – The Album
(2014)
Singles from Union J
  1. "Carry You"
    Released: 2 June 2013
  2. "Beautiful Life"
    Released: 21 October 2013
  3. "Loving You Is Easy"
    Released: 4 December 2013

"Carry You" was released as the album's first single in June 2013 and reached number-six in the United Kingdom, marking the group's first top ten track. In September 2013, the band confirmed their second single would be "Beautiful Life". It was released on 21 October, preceding the release of their debut studio-album by one week. The third single was "Loving You Is Easy" which charted at number 9 in Ireland, and charted in the lower regions of the UK Singles Chart.

Union J promoted the album by embarking on their first headlining tour, the Magazines + TV Screens Tour, throughout December 2013 and January 2014, in support of their first record release.

Background and production

During a performance in Cardiff on 15 December 2012, Union J announced that they had signed a recording contract with Sony Music.[1] On 28 January 2013, it was revealed that the record label was that of sub-division RCA Records and that the group would be releasing their debut single in June.[2] On 14 January, it was announced that Union J were in London recording their debut single that day.[3] On 12 January 2013, the band announced news of recording their debut single via Twitter: "Recording or first single on Monday! So sorry Belfast but we have to change the gig date, things are moving so fast for us! We'll be back! X".[4] On 22 April, it was revealed that Union J's debut single "Carry You" would be released on 2 June.[5]

On 5 June, the group revealed that their debut album was nearly finished, and were hoping to release it in either September or October.[6] Speaking about the album, band member George Shelley revealed: "It all depends how well Carry You does because we've got loads of different sounds on our album at the moment that we’ve recorded. So if Carry You does well then we will do a second single that's sort of down that route and if it doesn’t do as well as we are hoping then we will do something a little different."[7] The group later described their album as: "It's pop music but there's some stuff that people wouldn't expect. There's some funky summer vibes, some dance music, some ballads and a Californian vibe to it."[8] On 4 September 2013, the album's artwork and title was revealed, and it was announced that it would be released on 28 October 2013.[9]

Promotion

Union J performed "Carry You" live for the first time at Futurehits Live 2013. They also performed it on Britain's Got More Talent on 30 May 2013.[10] They also sang it at Capital FM's Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on 9 June 2013[11] and at Chester Rocks 2013 on 15 June.[12] In August 2013, it was announced the group would be supporting Selena Gomez on the European leg of her Stars Dance Tour in Lisbon.[13] The song "Beethoven" was performed for the first time during their opening concert in Lisbon.[14] They performed "Beautiful Life" on Friday Download on 25 October and on The Xtra Factor on 27 October. On 31 October, Union J appeared on Loose Women and performed "Beethoven".

Singles

On 8 April 2013, the group confirmed the title and release of their debut single, "Carry You".[15] This was followed by the unveiling of the accompanying artwork, which also debuted the band's logo.[16] The track was given its radio premiere on 22 April, which was followed by the upload of an audio version of the single on Union J's official Vevo account.[17] Whilst explaining the meaning behind the single, band member Jaymi Hensley said, "The message of the song is [that] we've been on a massive rollercoaster the last year with each other, and it's about being there for each other."[18] He also revealed, "It's there for the fans, we really wouldn't be here without them."[18] On 30 March 2013, Union J announced via their official Twitter account that the music video for the single had been filmed.[19] An official teaser for the video was uploaded to the group's Vevo account on 26 April 2013.[20] The full video first premiered through Capital TV on 29 April.[21] The single reached number six on the UK Singles Chart.

On 3 September 2013, the group announced that "Beautiful Life" would be released as their second single on 21 October 2013, a week ahead of the release of the album. During an interview on This Morning, Hensley explained that it was an old song that they had recorded before they auditioned for The X Factor: "Our fans come from all walks of life and the message behind the song is what the band stands for - that no matter where you come from or what you are, we are all the same."[22] The track premiered on 9 September 2013.[23] It arrived in at number four on The Vodafone Big Top 40 on 20 October 2013 and charted at number eight on the UK Singles Chart the following week.

"Loving You Is Easy" was announced to be the album's third single on 5 November 2013, on the band's Twitter account.[24] The music video was released on 4 December 2013.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[25]
Virginmedia.com[26]
The Arts Desk[27]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Carry You"
Steve Mac3:06
2."Beautiful Life"
  • Joseph Lawrence
  • Tom, Dick & Harry Productions
3:58
3."Loving You Is Easy"
Mac3:12
4."Last Goodbye"
Ze Infidels3:39
5."Beethoven"
Mac2:56
6."Head in the Clouds"
Mac3:17
7."Where Are You Now"
  • Hector
  • Robbins
  • Mac
Mac4:00
8."Save the Last Dance"
  • Hector
  • Robbins
  • Mac
Mac3:44
9."Amaze Me" (No Angels cover)
Mac3:54
10."Skyscraper" (Demi Lovato cover)
Tim Powell3:42
Total length:35:31
Deluxe edition bonus disc[28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Carry You (acoustic)"
  • Mac
  • Kelly
Mac3:24
2."Head in the Clouds (acoustic)"
  • Rigo
  • Mac
Mac2:48
3."Where Are You Now (acoustic)"
  • Hector
  • Robbins
  • Mac
Mac4:03
4."Lucky Ones"
Mac3:20
Total length:13:40
Notes

Charts and certifications

Release history
Region Date Format Edition
Ireland[37] 25 October 2013 CD, digital download Standard, deluxe
United Kingdom[38] 28 October 2013
Portugal[39] Deluxe
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References
  1. Sperling, Daniel (17 December 2013). "'X Factor' Union J sign Sony record deal". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  2. McKnight, Jenni (28 January 2013). "X Factor boyband Union J sign record deal with RCA Records". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  3. Daniels, Colin (14 January 2013). "'X Factor's Union J record debut single". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  4. "Union J confirm new single recording while X Factor winner James Arthur hits 1 million record sales". MTV. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  5. Corner, Lewis (22 April 2013). "Union J unveil debut single 'Carry You' - listen". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  6. "Union J Aiming for "September/October" Release For Debut Album". Capital FM. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  7. "Union J: "Most Of Our Debut Album Is Done"". MTV. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  8. Corner, Lewis (3 September 2013). "Union J announce new single 'Beautiful Life'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  9. Corner, Lewis (4 September 2013). "Union J unveil self-titled debut album artwork". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  10. "Allstarz Party". allstarzparty.com.
  11. "Union J Join Capital FM Summertime Ball 2013 Line-Up". Capital. 26 April 2013.
  12. Chester Rocks 2015, Chester Racecourse. "Chester Rocks Announcemnt".
  13. Lyons, Beverely (28 August 2013). "Union J singer George's delight as Selena Gomez invites him to 'give her a call'". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  14. Union J - Beethoven (Live in Portugal 11/09/2013). YouTube. 12 September 2013.
  15. Smith, Carl (8 April 2013). "We're fangirling like Jaymi at the Breaking Dawn premiere". Sugarscape. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  16. Daniels, Colin (14 April 2013). "Union J reveal artwork for debut single 'Carry You' - picture". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  17. "Union J - Carry You (Audio)". YouTube. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  18. Adejobi, Alicia (22 April 2013). "Union J Admit 'Crying' After Premiering Debut Single 'Carry You'". Entertainmentwise. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  19. "We've filmed the music video and are releasing our first ever single in JUNE!! :D HASHTAG #UnionJuneSingle if you are going to get behind it!". Twitter. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  20. "Union J - Carry You (Official Video Teaser)". YouTube. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  21. "Union J's 'Carry You' Music Video To Get First Play On Capital TV Monday 29th April". Capital FM. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  22. James, Aurora (23 October 2013). "This Morning: The lads from Union J talk about dolls, bums and tattoos". Yahoo!. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  23. "Union J unveil new single "Beautiful Life" - listen". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  24. "Union J on Twitter". Twitter.
  25. "Album search results for "union j" - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  26. "Union J". virginmedia.com.
  27. "CD: Union J - Union J". theartsdesk.com.
  28. "Union J "Union J (Signed Exclusive)" @ Union J Store US". Union J Store.
  29. "Ultratop.be – Union J – Union J" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  30. "Ultratop.be – Union J – Union J" (in French). Hung Medien.
  31. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 43, 2013". Chart-Track. IRMA.
  32. "Portuguesecharts.com – Union J – Union J". Hung Medien.
  33. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  34. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  35. http://ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusEOY2013.pdf
  36. "British album certifications – Union J – Union J". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Union J in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  37. "iTunes - Music - Union J by Union J". iTunes.
  38. "iTunes - Music - Union J by Union J". iTunes.
  39. "Union J, Union J (Deluxe Edition 2CD), CD Álbum. Comprar música na Fnac.pt". Fnac.com.
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