Jump to content

A Lighter Shade of Blue

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Lighter Shade of Blue
Studio album by
Christina Perri
ReleasedJuly 15, 2022 (2022-07-15)
Recorded2016–2020
Length47:20
LabelElektra
Producer
Christina Perri chronology
Songs for Rosie
(2021) 		A Lighter Shade of Blue
(2022) 		Songs for Pixie
(2023)
Singles from A Lighter Shade of Blue
  1. "Evergone"
    Released: March 24, 2022
  2. "Mothers"
    Released: May 5, 2022
  3. "Home"
    Released: June 23, 2022

A Lighter Shade of Blue is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri. It is also her third pop album, released on July 15, 2022, via Elektra Records. Marking her first pop release in nearly eight years, the album reflects on themes of grief, motherhood, and resilience, inspired in part by the loss of her daughter Rosie and her experiences as a new mother. Developed over six years and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic while Perri was pregnant, the album blends folk-rock and jazz influences with a melancholic yet intimate tone.

It was supported by three singles–"Evergone", "Mothers", and "Home"—and a series of intimate live performances. The album received generally favorable reviews, with critics noting its emotional depth and cohesive sound, though some cited a lack of variety.

Background

[edit]

Perri honored her late daughter Rosie with a lullaby album titled Songs for Rosie, stating that she felt it "was the best way to honor" her. "When she passed away, I felt like the songs took on a different meaning, but they're still my song choices for her", she said. Perri later announced that her next studio album, A Light Shade of Blue, would be released on June 24, 2022.[1]

"A Light Shade of Blue album has been a long time coming, and getting to perform songs from it in an intimate setting will be really special."

In an interview with E! News, Perri explained that one of the songs on the album was written with her longtime collaborator Amy Wadge as "a bit of a love letter to moms having a hard time". Reflecting on her own experience as a new mother to her daughter Carmella, she shared, "There are so many things you can't prepare for and your heart feels like it breaks over and over and over. We get so, so strong, but for a little while, we are very fragile". She added that the song was meant to make mothers feel "seen and held", particularly on Mother's Day.[2] On June 9, Perri announced on social media that the album's release date had been moved up to July 15, 2022.[3]

Perri also revealed that the album had been in development for nearly six years, with songs written between 2016 and 2020. She described it as an accumulation of personal milestones—including marriage, four pregnancies, and moving between cities—alongside broader events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the album was recorded during the summer of 2020, while she was seven months pregnant, working with producer Jenn Decilveo in a makeshift studio in New Jersey. Despite the album's melancholic tone, Perri emphasized that the recording process was intimate and joyful, infused with collaboration, refuge from the outside world, and a sense of togetherness.[4]

Composition

[edit]

According to PopMatters, while her second studio album Head or Heart (2014) experimented with mid-2010s pop sensibilities, A Light Shade of Blue draws from a more refined palette of folk-rock and jazz influences.[5]

Promotion

[edit]
Perri performing at Hotel Café

To support the album, she scheduled appearances at Hotel Café in Los Angeles, Bowery Ballroom in New York City, and World Cafe in Philadelphia in the days following the album's release.[6]

Singles

[edit]

The lead single, "Evergone" was released on March 24, 2022.[7] The second single, "Mothers" was released on May 5, 2022, alongside the announcement of the album's upcoming release.[8] The third and final single "Home" was released on June 23, 2022.[6]

Critical reception

[edit]
A Light Shade of Blue ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Gigwise[9]
PopMatters8/10[5]

Gigwise described A Light Shade of Blue as an album that "strikes a largely melancholic tone", noting that this emotional territory is familiar for Perri, whose signature song is "a piano ballad in C minor about her refusing to reconnect with an old boyfriend". The review acknowledged that the 14-track, 48-minute album may feel heavy at times but highlighted its "tender, touching moments". While not considered a groundbreaking release, the album was seen as one that "is sure to please Perri's fans".[9] Entertainment Focus found the album "solid enough," praising the beauty and intimacy of the songs, but noted that its "lack of variety" and "downtempo" nature made it less compelling for repeat listens.[10]

Track listing

[edit]
A Lighter Shade of Blue – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Surrender"
2:51
2."Hurt"
  • Perri
  • Decilveo
  • Maureen 'Mozella' McDonald
  • Wendy Wang
 3:47
3."Evergone"
  • Perri
  • Jason Bell
  • Decilveo
  • Jordan Miller
 3:30
4."Back in Time" (featuring Ben Rector)
 3:57
5."Home"
  • Perri
  • Amy Wadge
  • Decilveo
 3:40
6."People Like You"
  • Perri
  • Wadge
  • Decilveo
 3:33
7."Fever"
 3:31
8."Blue"
 3:34
9."I Do It for You"
  • Perri
  • AG
2:55
10."Mothers"
  • Perri
  • Wadge
  • Hodges
Hodges2:55
11."Fighter"
  • Perri
  • Decilveo
 3:46
12."Tiny Victories"
 3:21
13."Time of Our Lives"
  • Perri
  • Wadge
  • Decilveo
 3:24
14."Rose in the Rain"
 2:36
Total length:47:20

Notes

[edit]
  • All songs were produced by Jennifer Decilveo, except where noted.
  • ^[a] signifies additional producer.
  • ^[v] signifies vocal producer.

Personnel

[edit]

Credits were adapted from AllMusic.[11]

  • Adrianne Gonzalez – Additional production, composer, piano, producer, vocal producer
  • Aijia Grammer – Composer
  • Amy Wadge – Composer
  • Andrew Lappin – Engineer
  • Anna Chandler – Cover art, layout
  • Anne Declemente – A&R
  • Ben Rector – Featured artist
  • Carmella Costabile – Background vocals
  • Chelsea Dankner – Marketing
  • Christina Perri – Composer, primary artist, background vocals
  • Dan Wilson – Composer
  • Daniel Tashian – Composer
  • David Hodges – Composer, engineer, piano, producer
  • David Levita – Guitar
  • Gena Johnson – Engineer
  • Ian Fitchuk – Composer, piano
  • Jason Merris Bell – Composer
  • Jenn Decilveo – Composer, drum programming, engineer, executive producer, mellotron, piano, producer, synthesizer
  • Jesse McGinty – Horn
  • Joe Zook – Mixing
  • Jordan Rand Miller – Composer
  • Lauren Dunn – Photography
  • Luke Sital-Singh – Composer, background vocals, Wurlitzer
  • Maureen McDonald – Composer
  • Michelle Mancini – Mastering
  • Mike Rachlin – Assistant engineer
  • Nicky Costabile – Vocal arrangement, vocal producer, background vocals
  • Parker Genoway – Creative director
  • Patrick Kelly – Bass
  • Pete Ganbarg – Arabesque
  • Rachel Platten – Composer
  • Sam Ks – Drums
  • Wendy Wang – Composer
  • Whakaio Taahi – Engineer, vocal producer

Charts

[edit]
A Lighter Shade of Blue chart performance
Chart (2022) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[12] 49
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[13] 85

References

[edit]
  1. ^ C., Yashira (May 23, 2022). "Christina Perri Announces Pregnancy With Adorable Video". iHeartRadio. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  2. ^ Vulpo, Mike (May 6, 2022). "Christina Perri Marks Mother's Day With New Music She Calls a "Love Letter to Moms"". E! News. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  3. ^ Perri, Christina [@christinaperri]; (June 9, 2022). "hi 🤍 wanted to let you all know the release date for "a lighter shade of blue" is moving to july 15th. we have some really special things in store you all that i can't wait to share. more soon!". United States. Retrieved July 26, 2025 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ Emily Frances Algar (August 23, 2022). ""My Heartbreak Just Looks Different Now": Christina Perri on How Her New Album Turned Her 'A Lighter Shade of Blue'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Davies, Jeffrey (July 18, 2022). "Christina Perri Becomes Herself on 'A Lighter Shade of Blue'". PopMatters. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (June 27, 2022). "Christina Perri Yearns for Familiarity on New Single 'Home'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  7. ^ "Evergone – Single by Christina Perri". United States: Apple Music. March 24, 2022. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Perri, Christina [@christinaperri]; (May 6, 2022). "surprise! my new album "a lighter shade of blue" is out june 24th. preorder it now at the link in bio, and get a new and very special track to me, 'mothers'. love you all and cannot wait for you to hear more. 💙🦋☁️". United States. Retrieved July 26, 2025 – via Instagram.
  9. ^ a b England, Adam (July 12, 2022). "A fan-pleaser that won't set the world alight". Gigwise. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  10. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (July 15, 2022). "Christina Perri – 'lighter shade of blue' review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "A Lighter Shade of Blue - Christina Perri | Album". AllMusic. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  12. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  13. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Lighter_Shade_of_Blue&oldid=1302792360"