Overview
James is the second extended play by American singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan, released on October 27, 2017, by Columbia Records. It serves as the follow-up to her 2015 extended play, Mine (2015). The EP was preceded by the release of three singles, and was promoted by a tour span from late October to mid-November 2017.
Background and composition
James is a pop EP that bases its musical composition in 1980s-inspired synth-pop, modern electropop, and contemporary R&B. The album lyrically chronicles a relationship from beginning to end.
Singles
* "Forgetting All About You" featuring American R&B singer, blackbear was released on August 4, 2017, as the lead single from the EP. It was supported by both a music video and a performance at the Billboard Hot 100 Festival. * "Be Real" was released as the second single on September 8, 2017. A remix EP was released the same month. * "James Has Changed" was released as the third and final single on October 6, 2017.
Tour
In addition to the three singles being promoted, Ryan also embarked on a tour in support of the extended play. The tour began on October 31, 2017, and concluded on November 14, 2017.
Critical reception
Mike Wass of Idolator gave the album a positive review; he praised Ryan for " examining matters of the heart with rare honesty and a razor-sharp wit. Each song leads effortlessly into the next, which is no easy feat considering that they explore wildly different sounds."
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal. * Phoebe Ryan – lead vocals, songwriting * Kyle Shearer – songwriting (tracks 1–2), record engineering (tracks 1–2) * Nathaniel Campany – songwriting (tracks 1–2) * Valley Girl – production (tracks 1–2) * Joe Zook – mix engineering (track 1) * Paul Hammond – engineer assistance (track 1) * Mitch McCarthy – mix engineering (track 2) * Justin Shturtz – master engineering * Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young – mix engineering (tracks 3–5) * Lucas Nordqvist – songwriting (track 3) * Jurek Reunamäki – songwriting (track 3) * Frans Mernick – record engineering (track 3) * Antti Hynninen – songwriting, production, record engineering (track 3) * Joonas Laaksoharju – songwriting (track 4) * Axel Ehnström – songwriting (track 4) * Big Taste – songwriting, production (tracks 4–5) * Blackbear – featured artist, songwriting (track 5) * Joseph Kirkland – songwriting (track 5) * Jason Dean – songwriting (track 5)