Good Faith (Madeon album)
Good Faith is the second studio album by French DJ and record producer Madeon. It was released on 15 November 2019 through Columbia Records. The album features contributions and vocals from Callie Day, Spoonface, Audra Mae, James the Human, Brasstracks, and the West Los Angeles Children's Choir. The album was promoted by three singles: "All My Friends", "Dream Dream Dream", and "Be Fine". The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics.
Background[edit]
In late 2016, Leclercq released a joint single with friend and fellow electronic producer Porter Robinson, "Shelter". He took a break from touring in late 2017 and 2018 to work on his second album. Leclercq felt that the sincere style of lyric writing he used for “Shelter” could be incorporated into his Madeon music, and not simply have his music production and songs be a vehicle for other people's stories.[2] He recorded and wrote the album while traveling in Europe and across North America.[3]
Leclercq released his single "All My Friends" in May 2019, three years since "Shelter". He then subsequently released two more singles in July and October and announced the release date for his album as 15 November 2019.[4]
During Good Faith’s production, Leclercq listened to a plethora of hip hop music, as well as artists like Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, Kraftwerk, and Pink Floyd, and states that their music gave inspiration for some of the production styles of the album. He also frequently cites Daft Punk and The Beatles as constant heavy influences on his songwriting and production, even before he began writing Good Faith.[5]
Recording[edit]
As Leclercq finished touring his Adventure album on the Pixel Empire Tour in early 2016, he stayed in a New York studio for three days to conceive concepts for a second studio album. He has stated that "Porter had heard some of the music I was writing and really liked it, and it kind of inspired us to make 'Shelter'".[6] During production of "Shelter" and the Shelter Live Tour, Leclercq stated that he always had the intention to eventually produce Good Faith.[7]
For his whole life, Leclercq had produced his music, including the entirety of Adventure and the beginnings of Good Faith, mainly out of his studio in his parents basement in Nantes. Leclercq also spent some time in Ålesund, Norway producing some of the album at Ocean Sound Recordings. While touring in 2018, he was playing a show in Los Angeles and decided to move to Hollywood Hills from France, relocating his studio as well.[7][8]
Leclercq has sole production, mixing, and mastering credit for all songs on the album. He states that the writing and production of the album was mostly a solitary effort, as only two of the songs have a co-writer. Leclercq would "sometimes [try] to grab something" from a collaborator, like an instrumental performance or a vocal recording.[3]
After releasing two of the leading singles off of Good Faith, on 14 October 2019 Leclercq sent out an emotional letter to fans on his e-mail list and social media, opening up about his depression after performing a debut Good Faith Live show at Lollapalooza. He stated that he had put production and release of the album on hold to give himself time to recuperate and "be healthy".[9]
Promotion[edit]
Music videos[edit]
After the release of each single, Leclercq uploaded both an official audio video and an official music video to his YouTube channel. On 30 July 2020, Leclercq released a video for "Miracle" starring Maisie Williams and directed by Lena Headey.
Singles[edit]
On 29 May 2019 Leclercq released a preview of "All My Friends", his first single since "Shelter". This preview was released through a new website, goodfaith.world,[15] which contained a video[16] that played the song, along with locations of record stores in four cities: Los Angeles, New York, Ålesund, and Nantes. Each record store was issued two copies of the new single on clear 7" vinyl. On 30 May 2019, the full official audio was released on YouTube.[17]
Good Faith Radio[edit]
On 10 July 2019, Leclercq premiered the first episode of Good Faith Radio (Beats 1 Radio on Apple Music),[18] where he debuted Good Faith's second single, "Dream Dream Dream", and played tracks by other artists, including music sent by his fans accompanied by fan-made art. He described the radio show as "...a space I want us to share, I want to introduce you to my favorite things and showcase some of the amazing music and art you create."[19] Along with the radio premiere, "Dream Dream Dream" was released on music streaming platforms and a visualizer video was released on YouTube.[20]
Good Faith Live Tour[edit]
In mid-2019, Leclercq announced that his live show, dubbed Good Faith Live, would debut at Lollapalooza 2019, along with new music.[21] He stated in an interview that he had been writing the album and creating the Good Faith Live show simultaneously, and he wanted the debut of his new show to have an appropriately sized production.[2][22] It was later revealed his supporting lineup consisted of ford., LP Giobbi, Devault, Ilo Ilo, Giraffage, Flamingosis, and Instupendo.[23]
The show consists of Leclercq performing alone on stage triggering samples, playing keys, drums, and singing, while accompanied by themed visuals loosely inspired by the types used in the Shelter Live Tour.[7] He announced that the first show at Lollapalooza would be followed by shows in London, Amsterdam, and Paris. A longer North American leg began in October 2019 in Vancouver and ended on 14 December in Austin, Texas, a total of 31 shows.[24] This will be followed by an Australian tour as part of FOMO Festival in January 2020.
Reception[edit]
A review of the album from Magnetic Magazine praised the album, stating "...this new album is a step in a new direction that feels more organic and authentic to Madeon. Good Faith is his best work yet and what a way to cap off a decade that has seen him grow from a teenager working out of his parents' home in Nantes to a festival headliner and universally loved dance act."[25] An article from London newspaper Evening Standard negatively assessed his use of pitch correction, stating he is "using his voice more like a synth". The article also opined that the album lacked originality and that Leclercq sounded like a producer that was "still finding his own voice".[11]
The album was nominated for Best Electronic Album for the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Notes
Five tracks from Good Faith charted on the US Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart:[29]