You're a Man Now, Boy
You're a Man Now, Boy is the debut studio album by British R&B singer and songwriter Raleigh Ritchie, released 26 February 2016 on Columbia Records. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 32.[1]
| You're a Man Now, Boy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 February 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–2016 | |||
| Genre | Alternative R&B | |||
| Label | Columbia Records | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Raleigh Ritchie chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from You're a Man Now, Boy | ||||
| ||||
Composition
In an interview with Billboard, Anderson explained that "I started putting the album together properly about two years ago. But the oldest song on the album, “Never Better,” is about four years old. I’ve written hundreds of songs, and I was still writing new stuff when I was putting the album together. It was just a matter of deciding how to construct it as something that made sense of how I was feeling." He also noted Kanye West’s album The College Dropout as a source of personal inspiration for his music.[2]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Album of the Year | 78/100[3] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| DJBooth | Very positive[4] |
| The Evening Standard |   |
| The Guardian | |
| MTV | Very positive[7] |
You're a Man Now, Boy received very positive reviews from critics upon release. Writing for The Evening Standard, John Aizlewood gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and described Raleigh Ritchie as "bold and cutting edge in a Jack Garratt sort of way and the fabulous The Last Romance is a life-affirming combination of confessional vocals and a massed gospel singalong. And for all the electro clutter of 'Werld Is Mine', the throaty rasp to his vocals and the smoother soul of the Stormzy-featuring 'Keep It Simple', he never loses his pop heart."[5]
The Guardian's Dave Simpson likewise gave the album 4 stars out of 5. Noting the lengthy writing and production process for the album, "If the problematic gestation means the mix of soul, R&B, electronica and cinematic orchestral sweeps can occasionally feel a trifle uneven, the Bristolian’s emotional deliveries bring a compelling vulnerability and humanity to the narrative-verse-to-big-chorus format." Simpson notes the title track as a highlight, writing that the track's "comparison of childhood dreams with adult realities ('I was an astronaut, once upon a time. I'm not growing up. I'm ageing') is beautifully moving."
MTV's Matt Tarr wrote very positively about the album. Like Simpson, he notes the title track as a highlight of the album as well as 'Stronger Than Ever' and as "the most powerfully emotive tracks on the album, both featuring dramatic rises and falls before eventually building to intense climactic ending". He also wrote that The orchestral instrumental of the prior is truly noteworthy and wouldn’t find itself amiss in a thrilling cinematic film trailer." Concluding the review, Tarr wrote that the album "is an incredible way to mark the humble beginning of an emotionally honest and sensitive artist on the mainstream stage and Raleigh Ritchie’s raw-yet-tender style is a joy to behold. Sure to catch the ear of new fans and current loyalists alike, this album will set the foundations for an exciting and boundary-pushing career in the UK music spotlight for a long while to come."[7]
DJBooth's Lucas G. described the album as "a profoundly emotional album but just like in real life, that emotion is hidden under puns, smiles and spliff smoke. The thing I love most about the album is the way Ritchie wrestles with fear but doesn't wallow in. He stands at the top of the cliff staring into the void, occasionally dangling his feet over, but never jumping. At the same time the album struggles with adulthood identity, connections and love, the album has an upbeat, fresh sound to it."[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Werld is Mine" |
| SumPunk | 4:01 |
| 2. | "Stronger Than Ever" |
|
| 3:53 |
| 3. | "Bloodsport '15" |
|
| 4:17 |
| 4. | "I Can Change" |
|
| 4:06 |
| 5. | "Keep it Simple" (featuring Stormzy) |
| Elizondo | 3:41 |
| 6. | "The Greatest" |
|
| 3:47 |
| 7. | "Never Better" |
|
| 3:52 |
| 8. | "Cowards" |
| Loco | 3:45 |
| 9. | "A Moor" |
|
| 3:18 |
| 10. | "Young & Stupid" |
| Sounwave | 4:34 |
| 11. | "You're a Man Now, Boy" |
|
| 4:24 |
| 12. | "The Last Romance" |
| SumPunk | 3:19 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Never Say Die" |
| Sounwave | 4:39 |
| 14. | "Life in a Box" |
| DJ Dahi | 4:23 |
| 15. | "The Chased" (with The Internet) |
| SumPunk | 4:11 |
| 16. | "Overdose" |
| Sounwave | 4:21 |
| 17. | "Birthday Girl" |
|
| 4:17 |
| 18. | "Stay Inside" |
| Mikey J | 3:26 |
Chart performance
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[8] | 56 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[9] | 32 |
References
- White, Jack (4 March 2016). "The 1975 score second chart-topping album with I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It". Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- Sullivan, Lindsey (23 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie on 'You're a Man Now, Boy,' David Bowie & Gene Kelly Moments". Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- "Raleigh Ritchie - Andy - Reviews". Album of the Year. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- G., Lucas (19 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie's "You're a Man Now, Boy" & The Joy of Finding a New Friend". Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- Aizlewood, John (26 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie – You're A Man Now, Boy, album review: 'bold and cutting edge'". Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- Simpson, Dave (25 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie: You're a Man Now, Boy review – vulnerability and humanity". Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- Tarr, Matt (17 February 2016). "Album Review: Raleigh Ritchie 'You're A Man Now, Boy'". Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
- "Raleigh Ritchie | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 2016-03-10.