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The Ascent (Wiley album)

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The Ascent is the ninth studio album by UK Grime artist Wiley. The album was released on 1 April 2013, via Warner Music Group and Boy Better Know, after originally being slated to be released on 4 February and 11 March, respectively.[2][3] The Ascent succeeds Evolve or Be Extinct which was released in January 2012. The album features a variety of experimental genres, varying from rap to grime. The lead single "Heatwave", featuring Ms D was released on 27 July 2012, peaking at #1 on the UK Singles Chart - becoming Wiley's first solo number one. The second single "Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya)" featuring Skepta, JME and Ms D was released on 28 October 2012. The third single "Reload" featuring Chip and Ms D, was released on 24 February 2013, a month before the album release.[4]

The album received positive to mixed reviews from music critics, and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 26 - becoming his highest-charting solo studio album and first top 40 album entry. The album has spawned 4 top ten hits in the UK Singles Chart including the number one single "Heatwave" which also charted in Australia.

Background

The name of the album was first confirmed by Wiley on 27 September 2012, via his official Twitter account. The album's tracklist was later revealed on 11 October 2012, detailing sixteen tracks - however, in January 2013, the tracklist was revised. "Walking Through Fire", "Stay Here", "Common Ground" (featuring Ryan Keen), and "Drink My Pain Away" (featuring Stacy Barthe) were removed from the album;[5] while "Ninja" was demoted to the deluxe edition, and "So Alive", "Tomorrow" and "Humble Pie" were added to the standard edition, and "Rubicon" and "Broken Thoughts" were added to the deluxe edition.[6] The album was originally due to be released on 4 February 2013, but was later delayed until 11 March 2013, in order for a third single to be released prior to the album. The album was once again delayed until 1 April 2013, to allow for final edits to be made on the album.[7] "Ninja" was previously released as an official free download. Wiley collaborated with an extensive amount of artists for the album, with featured guest appearances including American hip hop quartet Far East Movement, English rappers Kano, Skepta, JME, Ghetts, Griminal, Manga, Frisco, Big Shizz, Double S, Chip, Wrigz, J2K, Ice Kid and Megaman, and English singers Tulisa, Angel and Scottish R&B singer Emeli Sandé.[8] On 19 March 2013, Wiley leaked the album for free temporarily via Twitter after a dispute with iTunes, but has since removed the link.

Singles

"Heatwave", featuring Ms D, was released as the album's lead single, debuting at #1 on the UK Singles Chart on 5 August 2012, selling over 114,000 copies in its first week, becoming Wiley's first ever solo number one. "Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya)", featuring Skepta, JME & Ms D, was released as the album's second single on 28 October 2012. It peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart, selling 75,000 copies.[9][10] "Reload", featuring Chip & Ms D, was released as the album's third single on 24 February 2013. It entered the top ten of the UK Singles Chart on the week ending 3 March 2013 at #9. "Lights On", featuring Angel & Tinchy Stryder, was released as the album's fourth single on 7 June 2013. It also entered the UK Singles Chart at #9.

Track listing

Standard Edition[11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ascent Intro"Richard CowieAlex Oriet, Saltwives3:35
2."First Class" (featuring Kano and Lethal Bizzle)Richard Cowie, Kane Robinson, Maxwell AnsahXaphoon Jones4:01
3."Skillzone" (featuring Ghetts, Griminal, Manga, Frisco, Double S, Scratchy and Big Shizz)Richard Cowie, Justin Samuel, Griminal, Manga, Frisco, Scrufizzer, Double S, Scratchy, Big ShizzWize3:47
4."Hands in the Air" (featuring Tulisa and Ice Kid)Richard Cowie, Tulisa Contostavlos, Jahmaal Fyffe, Ice Kid, Ariowa IrosogieRymez3:25
5."Reload" (featuring Chip and Ms D)Richard Cowie, Jahmaal Fyffe, Dayo Olatunji, Talay RileyScribz3:13
6."Chainsaw (A-List)" (featuring Wrigz, J2K and Kevanc)Richard Cowie, Mikey Wrigg, J2K, KevancThomas Mellor3:59
7."Heatwave" (featuring Rymez & Ms D)Richard Cowie, Dayo OlatunjiRymez3:14
8."So Alive" (featuring Far East Movement)Richard Cowie, Far East MovementToxic2:54
9."Lights On" (featuring Angel and Tinchy Stryder)Richard Cowie, Sirach Charles, Kwasi DanquahParallel, Angel3:25
10."Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya)" (featuring Skepta, JME and Ms D)Richard Cowie, Joseph Adenuga, Jamie Adenuga, Dayo OlatunjiRymez & Sillkey3:52
11."Tomorrow" (featuring Megaman and Styalz Fuego)Richard Cowie, Megaman, Styalz FuegoStyalz Fuego3:40
12."My Heart" (featuring Emeli Sandé and French Montana)Richard Cowie, Emeli Sandé, J2K, Karim Kharbouch, Chris LocoChris Loco2:59
13."Humble Pie"Richard CowieKid D3:45
Total length:46:04
Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks[12]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Rubicon"Richard CowiePreditah4:12
15."Ninja"Richard CowieWiley3:15
16."Broken Thoughts"Richard CowieKid D4:05
17."Heatwave" (Music video)  3:21
18."Can You Hear Me?" (Music video)  3:53
19."Reload" (Music video)  3:17
20."The Story So Far" (Documentary)  9:55
Total length:59:12

Release history

Region Date Format Label Catalogue
United Kingdom 1 April 2013 CD, digital download Warner Music ASC003
Ireland

References

  1. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B5JC01C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  2. ^ "Twitter / EskiDance: #WileyTheAscent...Out Feb 4th....2013". Twitter. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  3. ^ "Wiley's official website". Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Wiley - The Ascent [Artwork & Tracklist]". The Grime Report. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Wiley unveils The Ascent album tracklist feat Emeli Sandé, Kano, Tulisa + more". SoulCulture.co.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Wiley Instagram: The tracklisting or my new album "The Ascent"". Instagram. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Twitter / EskiDance: My new album is called Wiley - The Ascent". Twitter. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Wiley Instagram: The tracklisting or my new album "The Ascent"". Instagram. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Wiley, Skepta & JME Premiere 'Can You Hear Me (Ayayaya)' Video". TalaTela.com. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  10. ^ "Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya)". iTunes. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  11. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B5JC01C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  12. ^ http://www.wileyofficial.com/music,the-ascent_9.htm
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