Original Me
Encyclopedia
Original Me is the fourth studio album from German eurodance
group Cascada
, first released on June 17, 2011. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2009 to 2011 at Plazmatek Studio, Yanou Studio 1. The entire album, like their previous albums, was produced by the two disc jockeys from Cascada, Yanou and DJ Manian. The album’s genre follows in the footsteps of the preceding album, Evacuate the Dancefloor
, completely shifting away from the uptempo eurodance
, containing electropop songs that draw influences of urban contemporary
and pop music
. Musically, the album is composed of electro-infused dance tracks with thick euro synths, cymbal crashing beats and europop lyrics. Lyrically, the album, like the preceding albums, is composed of songs about love, dancing and relationships.
The album was released as a two disc set. The first disc features the eleven original songs for the album. The second set is a greatest hits compilation CD, featuring every single Cascada has released internationally. Critical reception of the album overall has been mixed, with many critics praising the new sound and lyrics. The album currently stands as a commercial failure for Cascada, failing to chart or peak in the top twenty in countries were their previous studio albums sold well.
There was a total of three singles released from the album and one promotional song. "Pyromania
" was the first song released from the album, first released on March 19, 2010. At the time, it was not confirmed to be part of an album. “Night Nurse
” was released as a promotional single on November 7, 2010. “San Francisco
” was set as the album’s first single, released on May 1, 2011. It peaked in the top 15 in the Netherlands, Austria and Germany.
For this album, Cascada decided to experiment with a new release strategy, planning to produce and release different singles and then attempting to bind them all into an album. A new single "Pyromania
" was released in 2010. When interviewed about the new music coming out, lead singer Natalie Horler described their current music as going in a "slightly more pop direction". She still classifies it as dance music as it has combine their "clubby electronic pop" sound, with less beat per minute. A second single, "Night Nurse", was the released along with a music video featuring Natalie in full body paint of various colors in many scenes. This song never got a commercial release but was featured on a compilation CD in the UK. All of the singles released before the album's release date were came out six months apart, with "Pyromania" released in March, "Night Nurse" released in November and "San Francisco" released in June.
The album is comprised heavily of electropop music with influences drawing from europop
, eurodance
, contemporary R&B
, rock
, soul
and hip hop
. It follows in the sound of the previous album, Evacuate the Dancefloor
, taking away the bell-synth sound and thump of the drum machine
and synthesizers used in the eurodance
music they used to produce. The production features more cymbal crashing beats, modern robotic synthesizers and a male voice in the bridge of nearly every song that is heavily Auto-Tuned. Other instruments featured in the production of this album include piano loops, guitars and synth strings. On two of the songs, “Unspoken” and “Independence Day”, Zimbabwean-German rapper Carlprit was featured, rapping throughout the first and second verse while Horler sang the chorus.
” by American rapper Jay-Z
and California Gurls
by American pop recording artist Katy Perry
. The song was has been most notably compared to “California Gurls” in sound, noting the similar floaty synth hook and grinding beats. The second track, “Au revoir,” is an electropop song with influences of glam schlager about how some men put up a front and how it does not phase Horler. “Stalker” is about an infatuation with another person that has left the other partner wanting to be around that one person all day, every day. The song is an electro infused dance cut that features the use of fizzing synthesizers and a drum machine with drums and a piano loop starting off the song. “Night Nurse” is an electropop song that has the recycled beat of “Pyromania” but has an ominous undertone and excessively Auto-Tuned male vocals. The song alludes to a love affair while featuring references to medicine, remedies and chemistry. “Pyromania” is the fourth track on the album and is written about a love for fire. It features a robotic sound, aided by the Auto-Tuned male vocals and the Lady Gaga electro-style, and a “pyro-pyro” hook.
The third song, “Unspoken”, features German rapper Carlprit and is about a mutual attraction between two lovers and their synchronicity with each other. The title track is an electropop song about conformity and the modern standard of beauty. The song features the use of Auto-Tune on Horler’s vocals along with bleeping synth effects reminiscent of 1980’s electro music. The eighth track from the album, “Sinner On the Dancefloor,” is written about a love affair on the dance floor and features the of pin-sharp beats produced by the drum machine, thick eurodance synthesizers, and the Auto-Tune effects on unknown male vocals on the song. “Enemy” is a slinky eurodisco song about a relationship at a standstill. “Hungover” is an obligatory pop ballad with urban influences that resembles the sound of American musician Ryan Tedder
’s musical work. The sixth track on the album, “Independence Day”, is a pop song that is influences by rock
and hip hop
. It features the vocals of German rapper Carlprit and is about a relationship underfire. It is expected to be released in the UK on the 11th of October.
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
group Cascada
Cascada
Cascada is a German Eurodance act most famous for their hit singles "Everytime We Touch", "What Hurts the Most", and "Evacuate the Dancefloor"...
, first released on June 17, 2011. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2009 to 2011 at Plazmatek Studio, Yanou Studio 1. The entire album, like their previous albums, was produced by the two disc jockeys from Cascada, Yanou and DJ Manian. The album’s genre follows in the footsteps of the preceding album, Evacuate the Dancefloor
Evacuate the Dancefloor (album)
Evacuate the Dancefloor is the third studio album from German eurodance group Cascada, consisting of DJ Manian, Natalie Horler, and Yanou, first released on July 3, 2009. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2008 to 2009 at Plazmatek Studio, Yanou Studio 1...
, completely shifting away from the uptempo eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
, containing electropop songs that draw influences of urban contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
. Musically, the album is composed of electro-infused dance tracks with thick euro synths, cymbal crashing beats and europop lyrics. Lyrically, the album, like the preceding albums, is composed of songs about love, dancing and relationships.
The album was released as a two disc set. The first disc features the eleven original songs for the album. The second set is a greatest hits compilation CD, featuring every single Cascada has released internationally. Critical reception of the album overall has been mixed, with many critics praising the new sound and lyrics. The album currently stands as a commercial failure for Cascada, failing to chart or peak in the top twenty in countries were their previous studio albums sold well.
There was a total of three singles released from the album and one promotional song. "Pyromania
Pyromania (song)
"Pyromania" is a song performed by German Eurodance group Cascada, released as the first single from their fourth studio album, Original Me. It was co-written by Allan Eshuijs in collaboration with Yann Peifer and Manuel Reuter of Cascada, who also produced the track. The song was premiered on...
" was the first song released from the album, first released on March 19, 2010. At the time, it was not confirmed to be part of an album. “Night Nurse
Night Nurse (Cascada song)
"Night Nurse" is a song performed by German dance trio Cascada, from their fourth studio album, Original Me . The song was written by Tony Cornelissen, Manuel Reuter and Yann Peifer, with production helmed by DJ Manian and Yanou. "Night Nurse" was released to the internet in late summer of 2010...
” was released as a promotional single on November 7, 2010. “San Francisco
San Francisco (Cascada song)
-Charts:-Release history:...
” was set as the album’s first single, released on May 1, 2011. It peaked in the top 15 in the Netherlands, Austria and Germany.
Production and composition
The album was produced over a two year time period at Plazmatek Studios in Germany. Every song on the album was produced by the two disc jockeys of Cascada, DJ Manian and Yanou. Like the previous albums by the recording group, album features songwriting cedits from other writers including Tony Cornelissen, Allan Eshuijs, Jonathan Kinnear, James Kinnear and Andres Ballinas. New writers on the album include Mimoza Blinsson, Alfred Tuohey, Nina Peifer, Max Persson, and Salar Gorgees. Some of the production wa aided by writers on the album like Alfred Tuohey and Andres Ballinas.For this album, Cascada decided to experiment with a new release strategy, planning to produce and release different singles and then attempting to bind them all into an album. A new single "Pyromania
Pyromania (song)
"Pyromania" is a song performed by German Eurodance group Cascada, released as the first single from their fourth studio album, Original Me. It was co-written by Allan Eshuijs in collaboration with Yann Peifer and Manuel Reuter of Cascada, who also produced the track. The song was premiered on...
" was released in 2010. When interviewed about the new music coming out, lead singer Natalie Horler described their current music as going in a "slightly more pop direction". She still classifies it as dance music as it has combine their "clubby electronic pop" sound, with less beat per minute. A second single, "Night Nurse", was the released along with a music video featuring Natalie in full body paint of various colors in many scenes. This song never got a commercial release but was featured on a compilation CD in the UK. All of the singles released before the album's release date were came out six months apart, with "Pyromania" released in March, "Night Nurse" released in November and "San Francisco" released in June.
The album is comprised heavily of electropop music with influences drawing from europop
Europop
Europop refers to a style of pop music that first developed in today's form in Europe, throughout the late 1970s. Europop topped the charts throughout the 1980s and ’90s...
, eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
, contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
. It follows in the sound of the previous album, Evacuate the Dancefloor
Evacuate the Dancefloor (album)
Evacuate the Dancefloor is the third studio album from German eurodance group Cascada, consisting of DJ Manian, Natalie Horler, and Yanou, first released on July 3, 2009. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2008 to 2009 at Plazmatek Studio, Yanou Studio 1...
, taking away the bell-synth sound and thump of the drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
and synthesizers used in the eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
music they used to produce. The production features more cymbal crashing beats, modern robotic synthesizers and a male voice in the bridge of nearly every song that is heavily Auto-Tuned. Other instruments featured in the production of this album include piano loops, guitars and synth strings. On two of the songs, “Unspoken” and “Independence Day”, Zimbabwean-German rapper Carlprit was featured, rapping throughout the first and second verse while Horler sang the chorus.
Songs
“San Francisco” is a song written as a tribute to the city San Francisco in California, like the hit singles “Empire State of MindEmpire State of Mind
"Empire State of Mind" is a song by American rapper and hip hop artist Jay-Z, featuring vocals and a chorus from R&B and soul singer Alicia Keys. It was released as the third single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album The Blueprint 3 by his Roc Nation label in October 2009...
” by American rapper Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and California Gurls
California Gurls
"California Gurls" is an electropop song by American singer-songwriter Katy Perry and is the lead single of her third studio album, Teenage Dream. The song features rapper Snoop Dogg, and was produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco. According to Perry, the song is an answer song to...
by American pop recording artist Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
. The song was has been most notably compared to “California Gurls” in sound, noting the similar floaty synth hook and grinding beats. The second track, “Au revoir,” is an electropop song with influences of glam schlager about how some men put up a front and how it does not phase Horler. “Stalker” is about an infatuation with another person that has left the other partner wanting to be around that one person all day, every day. The song is an electro infused dance cut that features the use of fizzing synthesizers and a drum machine with drums and a piano loop starting off the song. “Night Nurse” is an electropop song that has the recycled beat of “Pyromania” but has an ominous undertone and excessively Auto-Tuned male vocals. The song alludes to a love affair while featuring references to medicine, remedies and chemistry. “Pyromania” is the fourth track on the album and is written about a love for fire. It features a robotic sound, aided by the Auto-Tuned male vocals and the Lady Gaga electro-style, and a “pyro-pyro” hook.
The third song, “Unspoken”, features German rapper Carlprit and is about a mutual attraction between two lovers and their synchronicity with each other. The title track is an electropop song about conformity and the modern standard of beauty. The song features the use of Auto-Tune on Horler’s vocals along with bleeping synth effects reminiscent of 1980’s electro music. The eighth track from the album, “Sinner On the Dancefloor,” is written about a love affair on the dance floor and features the of pin-sharp beats produced by the drum machine, thick eurodance synthesizers, and the Auto-Tune effects on unknown male vocals on the song. “Enemy” is a slinky eurodisco song about a relationship at a standstill. “Hungover” is an obligatory pop ballad with urban influences that resembles the sound of American musician Ryan Tedder
Ryan Tedder
Ryan Benjamin Tedder is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the frontman of the pop rock band, OneRepublic, though he has an independent career as songwriter and producer for various artists such as Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Jordin Sparks, Leona...
’s musical work. The sixth track on the album, “Independence Day”, is a pop song that is influences by rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
. It features the vocals of German rapper Carlprit and is about a relationship underfire. It is expected to be released in the UK on the 11th of October.
Singles
- "PyromaniaPyromania (song)"Pyromania" is a song performed by German Eurodance group Cascada, released as the first single from their fourth studio album, Original Me. It was co-written by Allan Eshuijs in collaboration with Yann Peifer and Manuel Reuter of Cascada, who also produced the track. The song was premiered on...
" was released as the album's first single in Germany on March 19, 2010 by Zooland Records. It was Composed as an electropop song, which features Natalie Horler singing the whole song with guest male vocals speaking the "Pyro-pyro" hook.
- "San FranciscoSan Francisco (Cascada song)-Charts:-Release history:...
" was released as the album's lead single on June 3, 2011. The song had originally premiered on their official YouTube account in the song's music video on April 28, 2011. The video features Horler with a group of people all dressed as modern-day hippies out on a night in San Francisco for a party, ending with them having a party on a rooftop. "San Francisco" has been met with generally positive review from critics, though it has been constantly compared to Katy PerryKaty PerryKaty Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
's 2010 hit "California GurlsCalifornia Gurls"California Gurls" is an electropop song by American singer-songwriter Katy Perry and is the lead single of her third studio album, Teenage Dream. The song features rapper Snoop Dogg, and was produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco. According to Perry, the song is an answer song to...
", with allegations that Cascada "ripped-off" Perry in the song. The song has been commercially successful despite these claims, proving to be Cascada's most successful single since "Evacuate the Dancefloor" in Austria where the song has achieved a current peak of number 14 and has also managed to reach number 13 in Germany and 11 in the Netherlands. It was later released in the U.S
- "Au RevoirAu Revoir (song)"Au Revoir" is a song performed by German dance recording trio Cascada. It was produced by Yann Peifer and Manuel Reuter, who also co-wrote the song with Allan Eshuijs, for the band's fourth studio album Original Me . The song serves as the second single from the album, on September 23, 2011...
" is the 3rd overall single from the album. It will be the first single from the album in France. The music video premiered on Clubland TV. It features Natalie and many dancers dressed in a masquerade theme, and they dance all throughout the video. It was released in the UK on the 11th October but failed to chart on the top 100 due to no promotion or airplay. It was later released in Germany and the U.S.
Track listing
- (*) denotes co-producer
Chart Performance
The album peaked 46 in Austria, 44 in Switzerland and 24 in the UK becoming the bands lowest chart position in those countries. The album peaked 41 in their home country, Germany, becoming their second lowest charting album there.Charts
| Charts (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums Chart Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
46 |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
41 |
| Polish Album Chart | 38 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 44 |
| Scottish Albums Chart | 17 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
24 |
| UK Dance Albums Chart UK Dance Chart The UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital... |
2 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | June 17, 2011 | CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Zooland Records, Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| United Kingdom | June 19, 2011 | All Around the World | |
| Germany | June 24, 2011 | Zooland Records, Universal Music | |
| Spain | June 20, 2011 | ||
| Canada | July 5, 2011 | ||
| Australia | July 8, 2011 |