The Glorification of Sadness
| The Glorification of Sadness | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 16, 2024 | |||
| Length | 52:45 | |||
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| Paloma Faith chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Glorification of Sadness | ||||
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The Glorification of Sadness is the sixth studio album by British singer Paloma Faith. It was released on 16 February 2024, through Sony Music and RCA Records.
Background and promotion
[edit]In October 2023, Faith revealed that her upcoming album would be "pretty personal", stressing how "nervous" she was to put her private life out into public. It was produced by Swedish producer Martin Wave, who initially worked on only one song but became the "cornerstone of the album".[1] The lead single "How You Leave a Man" was released on 11 October, which she described as "one of the most life-changing moments" of her life.[2] The Glorification of Sadness is a "divorce album without the divorce" as she was separating from her partner of ten years, whom she has two children with. Writing songs for the album helped her "capture her state of mind",[3] inspired by the breakup in 2022.[4] Following "How You Leave a Man", the singer released "Bad Woman" which carries "a message of female empowerment at its very forefront".[5] "Pressure", with British artist Kojey Radical, was released on 19 January 2024 as a promotional single and origins from a chorus sent to her by Liam Bailey and was then co-written with Gez O'Connell.[1] The third single, "Sweatpants", was released simultaneously with the album on 16 February.[6]
On 21 February 2024, the track "Enjoy Yourself" was announced as the official single for the 2024 Red Nose Day campaign, organized by Comic Relief. On that date, the song received a digital single, in addition to an exclusive pre-sale on Amazon for two physical versions of the song (on CD and 7-inch vinyl) released on 8 March 2024.[7][8]
Faith is set to promote the album through a 35-date Europe tour in April 2024.[9][1]
Critical Reception
[edit]Clash Magazine awarded The Glorification of Sadness an 8 out of 10, praising it as a "succinct, soulful, and sublime" exploration of emotion and reinvention. The review highlighted Paloma Faith's candid storytelling, as the album chronicles her experience of leaving a long-term relationship and rediscovering herself through a chronological narrative of grief, guilt, and self-reflection. Acting as the executive producer, Faith collaborated with artists such as Chase & Status, Kojey Radical, and Amy Wadge, blending familiar elements with fresh sounds that mark a sense of reinvention. The review commended the album’s balance between emotional depth and sonic diversity. Songs like "How You Leave a Man" showcase Faith's vocal power, while "Bad Woman" stands as a defiant anthem against societal pressures. The synth-driven "Cry on the Dance Floor" contrasts with the raw vulnerability of the orchestral ballad "Divorce," which Faith admitted would be difficult to perform live due to its emotional intensity. Meanwhile, "Eat Shit and Die" takes a more humorous yet defiant approach, blending doo-wop influences with sharp lyricism.[10]
TotalNtertainment praised the album for its themes of female empowerment, authenticity, and emotional honesty. While highlighting Paloma Faith’s resilience, the review noted her vulnerable side in tracks like the acoustic opener "Sweatpants." The album follows a chronological narrative of her breakup, moving from sorrow to empowerment, with "God in a Dress" delivering a defiant message and "Nothing More Human Than Failure" serving as an introspective interlude. Described as both cathartic and heartbreaking, the album balances raw emotion with pop moments like "Cry on the Dance Floor." By the time it reaches "Eat Shit and Die," Faith's refusal to retreat into sadness becomes evident. TotalNtertainment concluded that the album is a deeply personal yet uplifting journey, bound to resonate with listeners.[11]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sweatpants" |
|
| 3:31 |
| 2. | "Pressure" (featuring Kojey Radical) |
|
| 3:44 |
| 3. | "God in a Dress" |
|
| 3:41 |
| 4. | "How You Leave a Man" |
|
| 3:34 |
| 5. | "There's Nothing More Human Than Failure" | Faith |
| 1:19 |
| 6. | "Bad Woman" |
|
| 2:44 |
| 7. | "Cry on the Dance Floor" |
| 4:13 | |
| 8. | "Say My Name" |
|
| 2:55 |
| 9. | "Let It Ride" |
|
| 3:20 |
| 10. | "The Big Bang Ending" | Faith |
| 0:41 |
| 11. | "Eat Shit and Die" |
|
| 3:12 |
| 12. | "Divorce" |
|
| 4:21 |
| 13. | "Hate When You're Happy" |
|
| 3:53 |
| 14. | "Enjoy Yourself" |
|
| 2:52 |
| 15. | "I Am Enough" |
|
| 4:05 |
| 16. | "Mirror to Mirror" | Faith |
| 0:36 |
| 17. | "Already Broken" |
| 4:04 | |
| Total length: | 52:45 | |||
Note
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
[edit]- Paloma Faith – vocals
- Janelle Martin-Cousins – background vocals
- Matt Maijah – background vocals
- Naomi Miller – background vocals
- Shanice Steele – background vocals (tracks 1, 3–12, 14, 15, 17)
- Evan Blair – background vocals (track 1)
- Martin Wave – guitar (tracks 1, 3, 11), bass guitar (1), background vocals (4); drums, piano (12); strings (14)
- Ash Soan – drums (tracks 1, 6, 17)
- Bryony James – cello (tracks 1, 12)
- Rosie Danvers – cello, strings (tracks 1, 12)
- Emma Owens – viola (tracks 1, 12)
- Ellie Stanford – violin (tracks 1, 12)
- Hayley Pomfrett – violin (tracks 1, 12)
- Jenny Sacha – violin (tracks 1, 12)
- Patrick Kiernan – violin (tracks 1, 12)
- Steve Morris – violin (tracks 1, 12)
- Meghan Cassidy – viola (track 1)
- Miles Brett – violin (track 1)
- Sally Jackson – violin (track 1)
- Sarah Sexton – violin (track 1)
- Teni Tinks – background vocals (tracks 2, 13)
- Låpsley – background vocals (track 6)
- Liam Bailey – background vocals (track 8)
- Fred Cox – bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboards, piano, programming (tracks 8, 15)
- Maverick Sabre – background vocals (track 8)
- George Moore – piano (track 8)
- Kelsy Karter – background vocals (track 9)
- Oumi Kapila – guitar (track 9)
- Martyn Jackson – violin (track 12), instrumentation (17)
- Andrew Marshall – double bass (track 12)
- Wired Strings – strings (track 12)
- Clifton Harrison – viola (track 12)
- Charis Jenson – violin (track 12)
- Natalia Bonner – violin (track 12)
- Talay Riley – background vocals (track 14)
- Christopher Allan – instrumentation (track 17)
- Claire O'Connell – instrumentation (track 17)
- Dai Emanuel – instrumentation (track 17)
- Elizabeth Ball – instrumentation (track 17)
- Eos Counsell – instrumentation (track 17)
- Francis Kefford – instrumentation (track 17)
- Ian Burdge – instrumentation (track 17)
- Magnus Johnson – instrumentation (track 17)
- Nina Foster – instrumentation (track 17)
- Patrick Savage – instrumentation (track 17)
- Rachael Lander – instrumentation (track 17)
- Richard George – instrumentation (track 17)
- Richard Pryce – instrumentation (track 17)
- Sarah Quinn – instrumentation (track 17)
- Simon Bags – instrumentation (track 17)
- Thomas Kep – instrumentation (track 17)
- Tom Pigott-Smith – Concertmaster (track 17)
- Peter Daley – piano (track 17)
- David Arnold – strings (track 17)
- Isobel Griffiths – strings (track 17)
Technical
[edit]- Colin Leonard – mastering
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing
- Mike Seaberg – mixing (tracks 1–3, 5–17)
- Isabel Gracefield – engineering (tracks 1, 12)
- DJ Riggins – engineering assistance
- Jacob Richards – engineering assistance
- Rachel Blum – engineering assistance
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[12] | 115 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[13] | 2 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[14] | 2 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 January 2024). "Paloma Faith enlists Kojey Radical for new single, "Pressure"". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Edmonds, Lizzie (11 October 2023). "Paloma Faith opens up over 'pretty personal' new track about separating from ex-husband". Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Nugent, Annabel (14 October 2023). "Paloma Faith on her heartbreak and being a single mum: 'Our relationship ended because we had those children – it was worth it'". The Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Llewellyn Smith, Julia (1 February 2024). "Paloma Faith: 'Men like to be put first and resentment builds'". The Times. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (24 November 2023). "Paloma Faith unveils "Bad Woman" as the second single from her forthcoming album". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "PALOMA FAITH RELEASES HER FIRST ALBUM IN FOUR YEARS". Numéro. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Paloma Faith Releases New Song "Enjoy Yourself (The Red Nose Day Edition)". pm studio. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Seven ways you can support the UK's Red Nose Day 2024 with Amazon". Amazon. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Emily (1 February 2024). "My London: Paloma Faith". Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Harrison, Emma (15 February 2024). "Paloma Faith – The Glorification Of Sadness". Clash. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Graham, Finny (16 February 2024). "Paloma Faith 'The Glorification of Sadness' Album Review". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Paloma Faith – The Glorification of Sadness" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2024.