Make a Scene: Difference between revisions

Make a Scene is the fourth studio album from English singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released in Russia on April 18, 2011 by Universal Records and the United Kingdom on June 13, 2011 by Ellis-Bextor's own record label, EBGB's.^[2][3] It is her first studio album since 2007's Trip the Light Fantastic.

Make a Scene originated from recording sessions for a planned Greatest Hits compilation, which was proposed for release in Autumn 2008. However, the success of recording sessions led Ellis-Bextor and her record label at the time, Fascination Records, to change their plans and record a full studio album instead. The album's lead single, "Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)", a collaboration with the Freemasons, was released in June 2009, before a second single, "Can't Fight This Feeling", a collaboration with Junior Caldera, was released in February 2010. The album's third single, "Bittersweet", was released in May 2010, and was the first single from the album to feature only Ellis-Bextor. The album's fourth single, "Not Giving Up on Love", a collaboration with Armin van Buuren, was released in August 2010. Following the release of these four singles, Ellis-Bextor parted ways with Fascination, leaving the future of the album hanging in the balance. However, Ellis Bextor soon announced plans to release the album on her own label, EBGBs, which she had set-up in 2009 with her father, Robin Bextor. The album's title, Make A Scene, was announced in January 2011, despite many rumours the album would named Cut Straight To The Heart, after the final track on the album.^[4] On April 11, 2011, "Off & On" was released as the album's fifth single overall, exclusively in Russia, before the album was released a week later on April 18.^[5] On June 5, "Starlight" was released as the album's sixth single overall, exclusively in the United Kingdom, before the album was released a week later on June 12.^[6] The album achieved moderate success in Britain and Russia, peaking at #33 and #12 respectively.

Make a Scene features production by Fred Ball, Armin van Buuren, Junior Caldera, Julien Carret, Freemasons, Ed Harcourt, Calvin Harris, Greg Kurstin, Liam Howe, Metronomy, Richard Stannard, Dimitri Tikovoi, and Richard X. In the opening track ‘Revolution’, Ellis-Bextor’s catchy repetition and sweet with "commanding vocals".^[7] It was described as "a heavily energetic and impressive opener that defines the overall mood." Following the opener comes the third single ‘Bittersweet’ and an electro-pop wonder ‘Off & On’, which is reminiscent of an early 80s disco sound. It was written by Calvin Harris and Irish singer Roisin Murphy and was originally recorded for Murphy's 2007 studio album Overpowered, but was omitted from the final tracklisting.^[7][8] Both ‘Not Giving Up On Love’ and ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ are anthem-driven tracks, and can only be described as international smash singles.^[7] 'Starlight’ offers a soothing vocal, with a very 80s-esque twist.^[7] 'Magic’ is a dance anthem-driven and was classified as "enjoyable" due to the soothing and beautifully harmonic vocals. Synchronised’ and ‘Cut Straight To The Heart’ focus on Sophie’s brilliant vocal, and are a lot more relaxed."^[7]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Attitude	[9]
BBC Music	(negative)[10]
Clixie Music	[7]
Digital Spy	[11]
Gay Times	[12]
The Guardian	[13]
The Mirror	[14]
The National	(positive)[15]
News of the World	[16]
NME	[17]
The Daily Telegraph	[18]
The Tune	[19]
SoSoGay	[20]
Yahoo	[21]

So far, the album has received generally positive reviews from music critics, and has been wildly backed by fans. While reviewing some songs of the album, Robbie Daw from Idolator said that "after taking in small handful of singles, it sounds like there’s even better material lying in wait on Make A Scene".^[22] Daw said that Richard X productions, “Starlight” and “Magic” are "amazing."^[22] Lee Bradshaw from Clixie Music rated it eight stars out of ten, labeling it as "her most dance-filled release", and praised "Sophie [has] out-done herself on this one" stating that "she has definitely provided an album with great future potential."^[7] Robert Copsey from Digital Spy was positive, rating it four stars out of five, saying that the "wistful pop-ballads 'Starlight' and 'Synchronised' proving that she is more than capable of handling the centre stage if she so chooses. It might be a scene of two halves, but there's no shortage of elegance, class and pop sensibilities throughout."^[11] Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian rated it two stars out of five, and commented that "The bulk of the record is shopping-mall pop that was probably expensive to make, but sounds depressingly cheap."^[13] Matt Wilkinson from NME was extremely negative, calling it "rubbish" and said that "‘Make A Scene’ sees her straddle a multitude of different genres".^[17] Gavin Martin from The Mirror was positive, saying that the album is a "jolly effective blend of high-bred hoofing, fun and sincerity."^[14] James Lachno from The Daily Telegraph said that "A legion of co-producers attempt to recreate the slick dance-pop for which she is famed, but too often her husky voice and arch delivery are given short shrift by bloated house beats and perfunctory hooks."^[18] Alex Hall from The Tune was positive, saying that "Make A Scene is by no means a “dark” record; however, Sophie Ellis-Bextor manages to prevent what would have been an unbearable 50 minutes had every song been a reproduction of “Starlight” by applying to the crevasses all the insight she’s gained in a decade."^[19] Gay Times also gave a positive review, calling it "a proper pop album...easily head and shoulders above the offerings from her contemporaries in the last year".^[12]

The album entered the UK Albums Chart at #33 becoming her fourth Top 40 album. After three months of being released in Russia, the album received a Gold certification.^[23]