Chris Brown with a solid twelve-year career, in 2017, most specifically on October 31st, took an important step: he released a double album with 45 tracks named “Heartbreak On A Full Moon” – and a bonus song (Last All Night), especially for fans on Soundcloud.
What to many people seemed like a “shot in the foot”, especially in this “digital era” when people doesn’t seem to be interested on buying physical media, eventually became a milestone in his story thanks to his talent, team and fans – who gave all the support needed to make this possible.
In just one week, “Heartbreak On A Full Moon” has now won the gold certification (for 500,000 copies sold) a fact confirmed by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Amazing, isn’t it?!
Everything started with an Instagram post in May, 2016:
“NEW ALBUM (HEARTBREAK ON A FULL MOON) NEW SINGLE DROPS MAY 5th…” – Chris Brown via Instagram
It gives us an idea of how early the work for this album happened. Chris Brown is a workaholic. Music is his refuge, his art, something that he truly loves to spend time doing. In the past years, he released for free (via mixtapes), previewed snippets on social media like Periscope and Instagram, put out songs on Soundcloud, and of course, released albums too… that’s a lot of music!
Chris, himself, said in a interview, that he had on his phone 800 songs! And can you imagine how many more he’ll have after a studio was built in his house? Haha. So, would this be the reason behind his new album, “Heartbreak On A Full Moon” have so many songs? I don’t know, but it’s a way to start finding answers for this question.
“I thought Heartbreak On a Full Moon was a depiction of what my soul wanted to say. It’s funny because we were not doing a double album. I’ve done so many records, but all of the records, to me, are personal favorites and I feel like it gets what I want to say across. It gives a vibe. You get nostalgia or you get a sense of individuality.” – Chris Brown
This might be his most personal album
As a fan for years, I can honestly say that I follow his art in every detail, I listened to every album, even his collaborations with different artists, and I noticed a progress in this project, I noticed growth. I feel like he finally felt ready to open up about his deepest feelings, his inner thoughts – in songs.
He started doing it, in his – well done – documentary called “Welcome To My Life”, where he really welcome us, to his experiences, his career, his life choices, his pain, victories and defeats in pure honesty. We were invited to know his side of the story. We saw how everything started, we saw vulnerability, we saw the strength and the pain. The answers to a lot of questions.
And I guess that he followed the same formula with “HOAFM” – he doesn’t hide his preferences in his love life, or his choices according to who he’s gonna have a relationship with. I don’t wanna make any reference to anyone, it’s not about his exes, or about who inspired what song (yes, he wrote a lot of songs in this album) – it’s about his perspective, his feelings, it doesn’t matter if it’s a happy song, a love song or a sad song, it’s about his own view.
“#💔🌕 HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING SEASON 1 AND 2😂🕺🏽🔥!” – Chris Brown via Instagram
What should we expect from “Heartbreak On A Full Moon”?
Cohesiveness and a story to tell. The first song “Lost And Found” is a great example of a opener! You feel the impact, as soon as you hit the play button.
Another thing that I love about this album: the samples! Michael Jackson (Even), Tupac (Juicy Booty), Outkast (This Way), Seal (Nowhere), Kevin Lyttle (Questions)… legends only! They were all perfectly chosen!
Singles, they were just a sneak peak of what the album could sound like. So far, “Party” is the most successful one, reaching Billboard’s Hot 100, 40th position, “Pills And Automobiles” is almost there, being at the 51th spot. Another fact that must be commented: every single from this era, charted!
“… very thankful to be able to inspire y’all while doing something I love ❤️. I LOVE YALL EVEN MORE FOR MAKING ME WORK HARD. #💔🌕 🙏🏽❤️ ” – Chris Brown
“HOAFM” is a treasure to be explored, a journey amid the loves, many life experiences and feelings of Chris Brown. This new project it’s like as if he had read the comments of fans and learned from previous mistakes, and gathered all this new information for a new phase in his new work.
Captivated even the unbelievers!
In three days, Brown achieved an impressive number: 68,000 copies sold – which even surpassed the predictions of several critics. What should also be highlighted is the total time of the album: 2h40min – no other artist has released such an extensive work. It’s at least audacious! He did it all by himself – with no support from his own label, no sponsor, no PR stunt… he made it thanks to his own talent, team, and of course, his dedicated fans.
On Twitter, overall positivity. At first, some people thought it would be a “torture” to listen to so many songs. Others stated that his album wouldn’t be “curated enough” and there would be a lot of “fillers”. Others followed the delusional crowd that unjustly says “all his songs/albums sound the same since…” – but all of this was proven wrong, once they hit the play button. “He did his thing with this album”, critics made positive reviews, I saw a lot of positive reactions from the public, and yes, artists and peers came supporting too.
We could see people comparing this album to their favorites, to his acclaimed and grammy award winner “F.A.M.E.” – something really special happened this week!
45 songs that flows naturally
Chris gives us a little bit of everything, and I think it’s amazing. A multi-talented artist, who doesn’t like to be “labeled”, who likes to take risks, who loves to try new things, couldn’t give us an album stuck in a “box”, or with two genres.
Number of featured artists: this also impressed. With an extense tracklist, a large number of collaborators were expected, but that was not what happened. Chris really trusted himself and gave us all of him ❤ Different producers: Chris had already mentioned that he does not listen to much of the popular stuff out there because he does not want to look or sound like anyone else… Working with “lesser-known” names, made his sound original, with well structured songs in every aspect.
PS: Chris worked again with Scott Storch, Polow da Don & Boi-1-da
Vocals, melodies, harmonies… production wise, it’s definitely his best album!
Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. Lost & Found
2. Privacy
3. Juicy Booty (feat. Jhené Aiko & R. Kelly)
4. Questions
5. Heartbreak on a Full Moon
6. Roses
7. Confidence
8. Rock Your Body
9. Tempo
10. Handle It (feat. DeJ Loaf & Lil Yachty)
11. Sip
12. Everybody Knows
13. To My Bed
14. Hope You
15. This Ain’t
16. Pull Up
17. Party (feat. Usher & Gucci Mane)
18. Sensei (feat. A1)
19. Summer Breeze
20. No Exit
21. Pills & Automobiles (feat. Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie & Kodak Black)
22. Hurt The Same
Disc 2
23. I Love Her
24. You Like
25. Nowhere
26. Other Niggas
27. Tough Love
28. Paradise
29. Covered In You
30. Even
31. High End (feat. Future & Young Thug)
32. On Me
33. Tell Me What To Do
34. Frustrated
35. Enemy
36. If You’re Down
37. Bite My Tongue
38. Run Away
39. This Way
40. Yellow Tape
41. Reddi Wip
42. Hangover
43. Emotions
44. Only 4 Me (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Verse Simmonds)
45. Grass Ain’t Greener
Sit back, take your time and enjoy this masterpiece called “Heartbreak On A Full Moon”. “HOAFM” is an album that goes beyond sales and records. It’s solid, different. This album has so much more to offer! I felt his soul there, I am so proud! I shared with you, during this post, my personal favorites! If you listened to the album, tell me, which songs do you like? Tell me your opinion, I’ll love to answer you!
“Heartbreak On A Full Moon” is available on every streaming plataform (Spotify, TIDAL, Apple Music and more). And please, don’t forget to request the physical album at your local store/retailer. Also, keep requesting the singles “Grass Ain’t Greener”, “Party”, “Privacy”, “Pills And Automobiles” & “Questions” at your local radio station!
Talent, hard work, originality, focus and strategy. Yes. I’m proud.
Instagram: @senhoritadeise | Twitter: @blogsrtadeise
HOAFM: Favoritas da Deise on Spotify, click and check out my favorites!
Thank you for being here, and go get that album!
Senhorita Deise 