That! Feels Good!
That! Feels Good! is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Jessie Ware, released on 28 April 2023 via EMI Records.[2] Co-produced by Stuart Price and James Ford, whom she had worked with on her previous record What's Your Pleasure? (2020), Ware co-wrote all tracks alongside Shungudzo, Danny Parker, Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson and its producers.
That! Feels Good!
The album was met with critical acclaim, earning Ware a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2023 Mercury Prize, Ware's first nomination for the award since her debut album. Commercially, Ware gained her second top-three entry on the UK Albums Chart after What's Your Pleasure?, as well as her highest charting on the American Top Album Sales chart, peaking at number sixteen for one week.
To date, five singles have been released to promote the album, which includes a version of the track "Freak Me Now" with Irish musician Róisín Murphy.
Background and release[edit]
The album was released on 28 April 2023, 3 years after the release of Ware's fourth studio album What's Your Pleasure?, released in 2020, which received widespread critical acclaim for its "disco-inspired" sound.[3] Pitchfork placed the upcoming album on its list for "The 34 Most Anticipated Albums of 2023", with Marc Hogan stating that "Ware stayed well within that 'sex and dancing' sweet spot" following the release of her single "Free Yourself", released on 19 July 2022, as a "taster" to the album.[4]
Ware teased tracks of various genres, including R&B, house and soul.[5] In an interview with Primavera Sound's "RPS Presents" podcast, she described the record as "Remember Where You Are" but a "bit more soulful".[6]
The album's title was unofficially announced in January through a set of billboards in London of Ware.[7] This was later confirmed by Ware on 3 February 2023 in a social media post asking fans "Can you feel it?",[8] with the official announcement coinciding with the release of the single "Pearls" on 9 February.[9] The exclamation mark that follows "That" in the album's title (and its first track) was the choice of songwriter Shungudzo, who had previously worked with Ware on her What's Your Pleasure? record.[10]
A teaser of "Pearls" was released on 6 February, with the track being released on 9 February following a premiere on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.[11][12] On 31 March, Ware released a "Pearls" remix by Pabllo Vittar and Brabo.[13] "Begin Again" was released as the third single from the album on 13 April.[14]
Following the album's release, "Freak Me Now" was announced as the album's fourth single on 14 July 2023, with singer Róisín Murphy (who also has a cameo in the title track) collaborating with Ware to remix the track.[15] The release date was announced the day after, 15 July, with the track released on 27 July.[16] "Hello Love" was also announced as a single on 27 October 2023, with Ware describing the track as "the most sentimental song" on the record.[17]