Mad Love (JoJo album)

"Mad Love." redirects here. For other uses, see Mad Love.

Untitled

Mad Love (stylized as Mad Love.)' is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter JoJo. The album was released on October 14, 2016, through Atlantic Records. Incorporating a base core of R&B, pop and soul music, JoJo wanted the album to take fans through a journey from beginning to end while not only being for her but relatable to all the fans who stuck by her though her years in limbo and really be the "soundtrack to peoples lives". It serves as her first major official release in a decade following 2006's The High Road. A deluxe edition of the album featuring 4 bonus tracks, was released simultaneously alongside the eleven-track standard edition. JoJo co-wrote every song on the album while also vocal producing every song.

JoJo called upon the likes of Josh "Igloo" Monroy, Jussifer, Rock Mafia Matt Friedman, Oscar Holter and MNEK as well as others, to handle production for the album. JoJo had recorded several incarnations of a third album while still contracted under Blackground Records since early 2008 that were ultimately shelved and scrapped following JoJo's release and signing with Atlantic Records in December 2013. The album had then begun production again from scratch and was re-written and recorded over a two-year period, with majority of the album being recorded in early 2016. Amongst those included are collaborations with rappers Wiz Khalifa and Remy Ma, in addition to her longtime friend Alessia Cara who features on a song called "I Can Only.". Occasionally the album dips into other genres such adult contemporary and soul music.

Mad Love. was promoted with live renditions of the album's songs during The Mad Love. World Tour. The album was also preceded by the release of the lead single, a Matt Friedman and Oscar Holter of Wolf Cousins production called "Fuck Apologies", featuring American rapper and Atlantic Records label mate Wiz Khalifa. The song became moderate success charting on the U.S. Billboards Pop Digital Songs chart, peaking at number forty. It became JoJo's first charting single in the UK since 2007's "Anything" peaking at number one-hundred and four on the singles chart and number eighteen on the UK R&B Singles Chart. "Mad Love.", "FAB." featuring Remy Ma and "Music." all served as promotional singles leading up to the albums release.

Upon its release, the album received generally favourable reviews from music critics, some noting that the album became JoJo's "bold coming-of-age statement" that helped cement her maturity and vocal growth since her previous album. Mad Love. debuted on the US Billboard 200, Current Albums & Top Digital Albums chart at number 6, number 4 and number 2 respectively with 25,000 album-equivalent units, of which 19,000 were traditional album sales. A vinyl LP edition of the album was made available on February 3, 2017.

Background

Following the release of "Anything"—the final single from her second studio album The High Road—in late 2007, JoJo stated that she had been writing and working with producers for her third studio album, but would not go into the studio until early 2008. The album has spent a long time on hiatus, which was accompanied with a leak of many of its tracks. As of August 2011, thirty tracks leaked, well over an album's worth of material.

The album was preceded by the extended play III (pronounced "tringle"), which was released on August 21, 2015. Following its release JoJo embarked on her second worldwide headlining "I Am JoJo Tour". Which saw her visit 23 cities nationwide with several international dates in Europe. Initially the tour and Tringle's release was a reintroduction for JoJo into the industry with a major label backing that had been lacking from her previous label. During this time a large portion of the album had already been recorded. The "Tringle" was originally set to appear on JoJo's third album as the first 3 singles from the album that would each receive service to top 40 radio at different stages leading up to the impending albums release. Subsequently, during the tour, Levesque's father Joel had passed away in November 2015 due to struggles with addiction and had also broken up with her boyfriend of two years.

Following the tours conclusion in December 2015, Levesque took a 6-day rest from work during the first week of January, where JoJo booked a hotel and spent time with herself and re-evaluated her life. As a result, JoJo was unhappy with the approach the album was taking and decided to "take control" and begun re-recording and re-writing the entire album to fit her new feelings and emotions. This resulted in the Tringle becoming its own stand-alone project with majority of the albums re-recordings taking place over a six month period at the top of 2016, with only a few tracks from earlier Tringle recording sessions making it onto the final album. These two tracks would be "I Am." and "Good Thing.". From September 9 to September 15, 2016, JoJo uploaded short videos of her singing each song from the album on her Instagram account, revealing the track listing of the album. A vinyl LP edition of the album was made available through JoJo's official web-store on February 3, 2017.

Record label conflict & Label Change

Near the end of 2008, it was rumored that JoJo had parted ways with Da Family Entertainment and Blackground Records, and had signed a new record contract with Interscope Records. In early 2009, JoJo denied the rumor, saying that she was still signed to Blackground Records. Later in June 2009, JoJo confirmed that the album had been fully completed and will begin its promotion as soon as her record label finalized a new distribution deal. JoJo, after having waited almost two years to get her album released, decided to file a lawsuit against her label in August 2009. She was asking to be released from Da Family Records and to receive US$500,000 for her troubles. JoJo won the case, and in October 2009 Blackground Records reached a distribution deal with Interscope Records. When speaking of the lable issues JoJo says

It was very frustrating. For a while I felt like, why am I continuing to go into the studio constantly if it's never going to be released? It was a very frustrating, stagnant place. I got discouraged at some points, but I just kept believing in what we kept trying to make happen and what I've been working my whole life towards. I was able to release music less through less nontraditional means, but I had to find a way to stay creative and express myself in spite of the legalities.

In late 2012 Blackground Records had failed to release JoJo's third album and lost its distribution deal with Interscope Records, putting JoJo in limbo unable to release any music at all as they controlled the money, promotion and masters of any recorded material. in an interview with Buzzfeed speaking on the albums delay JoJo stated “I’ve recorded about three incarnations of this third album... We’ve chosen the track listing, we’ve done multiple album photo shoots, chosen the cover, chosen the credits, everything.” however every time her team tried to present the album to her label, they never received a response.

On July 30, 2013 New York Daily News reported that JoJo filed a lawsuit against Da Family Records and Blackground Records claiming that under New York State law, minors cannot sign contracts that last more than seven years. JoJo and her parents signed the contract in 2004 when she was 12. She argues that her contract was up in March 2011. JoJo additionally claims the label failed to release her third album despite delivery and acceptance of many master recordings; and that they were not able to retain their distribution agreement, which was a requirement of the recording contract. JoJo only released two of seven albums she signed to due to the label’s dire finances. However, instead of freeing JoJo and allowing her to sign with another label with more resources, Blackground wanted to keep her under contract from signing with another label and making commercial success.

In mid December 2013 the lawsuit reached its conclusion with JoJo and Blackground settling outside of court with JoJo signing her new contract the following day. The agreement states that with JoJo being released from her contract background would own all the master copies of all recordings JoJo submitted while still under contract in exchange JoJo would be released from her contract. On January 14, 2014, the Los Angeles Times exclusively reported that JoJo had officially signed a new recording contract with Atlantic Records thus ending her exhaustive muilti-year battle with Blackground Records and its imprint Da Family Entertainment.

Concept and title changes

In mid-2008, JoJo revealed that the album, titled All I Want Is Everything, was scheduled for a fourth quarter release that year, to coincide with her eighteenth birthday in December. The title was taken from the self-penned title track, which sums up her feelings about what she wants in life and how she can go about getting it as being an "inspirational anthem for everyone who has struggled and strives for more". The song is featured on her first mixtape Can't Take That Away From Me which was released on September 7, 2010 exclusively to Rap-Up.com.

In December 2010, it was announced that the album was no longer titled All I Want Is Everything On February 28, 2011, JoJo revealed the new title in a viral video. She said, "My third album will be called Jumping Trains and it's very symbolic for a variety of reasons... Moving from Boston to L.A., transitioning from being a girl to being a young woman, living on my own, taking a different direction sonically, and just really finding myself and just jumping into a new chapter of life." Following the albums continuous delay with her label Blackground Records JoJo filed a lawsuit against the label to get out of her contract and eventually signed with Atlantic Records, subsequently shelving all previous recorded material resulting in the album being written and recorded from scratch under Atlantic since February 2014.

During an interview with BBC Radio 1 in August 2016 JoJo was hush about announcing any details but stated that the album's title was two words first beginning with "M" and second beginning with "L". In a follow-up interview On March 28, 2016 with Malcolm Music during her "I Am JoJo Tour" in Europe JoJo spoke on a new song from album titled "Mad Love" calling it one of her "favorite songs" on the album suspecting fans to believe that was the albums title. On July 28, 2016 it was officially announced that JoJo's third album would in fact be titled "Mad Love", speaking on the meaning behind the albums title JoJo stated: "Mad Love. means so many different things, and I loved that about the title. It was one of the first songs that I wrote for this album, and I felt like it kind of shaped the intention of it, of this work. And, a phrase that I use in my family a lot, we say, 'I love you madly.' That's that 'I love you through it all, I love you as you are, I love you in a crazy way, in a deep way, in a way that other people might not understand.' And that's how I feel about music, and that's what my relationship is with my fans, and it's an intense, passionate love. That's also the love that I like to have in my romantic life. So, all of that is represented on this album."

Artwork

On September 7, 2016 just over a month away from the albums release, JoJo revealed the album artwork via her social media accounts and announced the album would be available for pre-order on September 16, 2016. Unlike JoJo's previous albums which both included a deluxe edition album with separate or modified artwork, a standard edition of the album artwork had been serviced to all markets. JoJo appears on the cover, "looking fierce as ever" while the rest of the artwork is otherwise blurred by paint smears and blots of pink, green, and white hues with the album art direction and design created by Nick Malvone. In early 2016 JoJo shot the album packaging photoshoot with LA based photographer Brooke Nipar. Photos from the shoot and a series of promotional/press photos were Gradually released online. While others were released with the revamping of JoJo's official website.

Singles

The album's lead single "Fuck Apologies" featuring Wiz Khalifa was teased by JoJo on July 26, 2016 in a promotional video previewing new music. The following day the single leaked in full online only hours before its release. The single was officially released as the lead single from the album on July 28, 2016. The music video, which was directed by Francesco Carrozzini, for the song was released on July 28, 2016, through JoJo's YouTube channel. The song debuted at number 40 on the US Pop Digital Songs Chart. Internationally, the song peaked at 104 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 on he UK R&B Singles Chart. JoJo performed "Fuck Apologies" for the first time live during her first stop on the 7/27 Tour closing her set with the song. On October 14, 2016, she performed the song live on the Today show.

Promotional singles

JoJo's triple single extended play III. (Tringle) was released on August 21, 2015. The three singles, "When Love Hurts", "Save My Soul" and "Say Love" Although originally intended to be the first three singles from the album that would each receive service to top 40 radio at different stages leading up to the impending album release. It was subsequently not included on the standard or deluxe editions of Mad Love and instead used as a standalone project to promote the album.

"Mad Love" was released as the first promotional single on September 16, 2016, along with the pre-order of the album. JoJo released the audio video of the single on her YouTube channel. "FAB", featuring Remy Ma, was released on September 23, 2016, as the second promotional single. The three letters form an acronym, which stands for "Fake Ass Bitches". "Music" was released as the third and final promotional single on October 6, 2016. In conjunction with the announcement of the Mad Love Tour, the music video for FAB. was released on November 29, 2016.

Promotion

On June 6, 2016, prior to any official announcements for release of JoJo's third album. It was announced that JoJo would be joining Fifth Harmony on their 7/27 Tour as a special guest opener in promotion for their second studio album. The North American leg of the tour begun on July 27 in Manchester, New Hampshire before concluding on September 17 in Las Vegas.

On July 27, 2016, JoJo uploaded a short video on her YouTube channel titled "Mad Love. 10.14.16", previewing "Music" and revealing the album title and release date. On July 26, 2016, JoJo debuted a short YouTube video that delivered a preview of new material to come from her forthcoming album. In it, scenes flash in and out, from present day to her past, showing what an impact music has had on her throughout the years. The video included a preview of a new emotional piano ballad titled "Music.". A more upbeat snippet of a song appeared at the end of the video later revealed to be the lead single.

The following day, JoJo announced the release of her new album through a shot of a pregnancy test and announced the first official lead single "Fuck Apologies", through her official Facebook page. That same day, the song was released to all digital retailers for purchase. Following the release, the songs accompanying music video debuted on JoJo's official website the next day.

JoJo performed "Fuck Apologies" for the first time live during her first stop on the 7/27 Tour closing her set with the song. She also performed a clean acoustic version of the song on the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show on August 1, 2016, along with a cover of Shawn Mendes' "Treat You Better". On September 30, 2016, JoJo made her first televised performance of the song along with Wiz Khalifa on MTV's newest music show Wonderland, where she also performed albums cuts for the first time including "FAB." and "Mad Love.". On October 14, 2016, JoJo performed "No Apologies", the clean version of "Fuck Apologies", on Today on October 14, 2016, and on Good Day New York on October 20, 2016. JoJo shot her first live TV performance of "Fuck Apologies." In late September 2016 and previewed new songs from the album including "FAB." and "Mad Love." on Revolt TV's original concert show "Revolt Sessions" which aired on October 22, 2016. A Remix EP of FAB. was released on March 3 despite not being serviced to radio as an official album single. It featured production from RealOnes, Kemist & DJ Braindead among others.

Tour

Main article: Mad Love Tour

JoJo announced on Today that the Mad Love Tour will begin in early 2017. On November 30, 2016 JoJo announced her third headlining and second major word tour in support of her third studio album entitled the "Mad Love Tour". The 60-date "Mad Love World Tour" will travel throughout Europe and North America with the first leg of the tour beginning on Jan. 15 in Dublin, Ireland and traveling across the UK for the month before concluding on Feb. 1 in London. The second leg of the tour largely takes place in North America and began on Feb. 15 in Portland, OR and travels to clubs and theatres across the country stopping in Seattle, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington, Houston and more wrapping up in Huntington, NY on May 3. Craig Stickland and Stanaj were announced as opening acts for the UK and US leg of the tour respectively.

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	70/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly	B+
Billboard	Positive
Idolator
The Guardian
Pitchfork	7/10

The album has received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, it has a score of 70 out of 100 based on 6 reviews. Entertainment Weekly writer Nolan Feeney gave the album a B+ and wrote that JoJo's "well-documented struggles and triumphs inform her long-awaited third LP, Mad Love., and they turn her tales of love, friendship, and family into one bold coming-of-age statement". Idolator writer Jon Reyes gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that JoJo is "sauntering in with Mad Love sounding totally refreshed". Pitchfork writer Vanessa Okoth-Obbo gave the album 7 out of 10 stars and wrote that "Mad Love. sounds like an album that JoJo needed to make, and one that her fans were waiting for".

Year-end lists

Publication	List	Rank
Rolling Stone	20 Best Pop Albums of 2016	19

Commercial performance

Mad Love debuted at number six on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 25,000 album-equivalent units, of which 19,000 were traditional album sales in its first week. It charted three spots lower and with significantly lower sales than her sophomore album. "Mad Love." also debuted on the Current Billboard Albums & Billboard's Top Digital Albums chart at number 4 and number 2 respectively. It became JoJo's first entry on the chart in 10 years. In its second week Mad Love dropped from number six to one hundred and eleven on the Billboard 200 on the week starting November 12, 2016. In it's third week the album left the Billboard 200 chart.

Track listing

Mad Love – Standard version

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Music"	Joanna Levesque Jussi Karvinen Justin Tranter Hayley Warner	Jussifer	3:35
2.	"I Can Only" (featuring Alessia Cara)	Levesque Karvinen Tranter Warner Alessia Caracciolo	Jussifer	3:20
3.	"Fuck Apologies" (featuring Wiz Khalifa)	Levesque Oscar Holter Matt Friedman Taylor Parks Jason Dean Joe Kirkland Cameron Thomaz	Holter Friedman	3:15
4.	"FAB" (featuring Remy Ma)	Levesque Karvinen Warner Dean Kirkland Reminisce Smith	Jussifer	3:35
5.	"Mad Love"	Levesque Joshua Monroy Nikki Flores	Monroy	4:04
6.	"Vibe"	Levesque Antonina Armato Tim James	Rock Mafia	3:07
7.	"Honest"	Levesque Jakob Hazell Svante Halldin Warner Dean Kirkland	Jack & Coke	5:20
8.	"Like This"	Levesque Monroy Sidnie Tipton	Monroy	3:41
9.	"Edibles"	Levesque Karvinen Tranter Warner	Jussifer	3:49
10.	"High Heels"	Levesque TJ Routon Dean Kirkland Zak Waters	Routon	3:21
11.	"I Am"	Levesque Alex Dezen Eric Rosse Jaden Michaels		3:57
Total length:				41:04

Mad Love – Deluxe edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
12.	"Clovers"	Levesque Monroy Gino Barletta	Monroy	3:24
13.	"Reckless"	Levesque Michael Kintish Ryan Gray Hawken	Kintish Hawken	3:42
14.	"Good Thing"	Levesque Amish Dilipkumar Patel Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike	ADP MNEK	3:30
15.	"Rise Up"	Levesque Hazell Halldin Warner Dean Kirkland	Jack & Coke	3:24
Total length:				55:04

Notes

1. ^ Every song is stylized with a period at the end of their titles, matching the album's title.

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	48
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)	126
Canadian Albums (Billboard)	22
Irish Albums (IRMA)	70
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)	1
Scottish Albums (OCC)	87
UK Albums (OCC)	46
UK Digital Albums (OCC)	14
US Billboard 200	6
US Digital Albums (Billboard)	2

Personnel

Adapted from Allmusic and the album liner notes.

Recording locations

• Los Angeles, CA – Acacia Sound; Atlantic Studios; Eastwest Studios; Studio 1 Zero; Westlake Studios; The Lemonade Stand
• Virginia Beach, VA – Mixstar Studios
• Santa Monica, CA – Rock Mafia Studios

• Sherman Oaks, CA – Clarity Studios
• Stockholm, Sweden – Khabang Studio
• Toronto, Canada – Loud Mouse Studio
• London, England – ADP Music Studios; Ealing Studios

Creativity and management

• Gita Williams – management
• Katie Gallagher – management
• Chris Smith – management
• Evan Lipschutz – A&R
• Doug Davis – Legal
• Benjamin Landry – Atlantic Business and legal affairs
• Anne Declemente – A&R administration

• Nina Webb – marketing
• Brooks Roach – marketing
• Carolyn Tracey – project director
• Nick Malvone Bilardello – art direction, design
• Brook Nipar – photographer
• Dante Marshall – additional photographer
• Tom Coyne – album mastering

Performers

• JoJo – lead vocals, background vocals
• Alessia Cara – featured artist (track 2 "I Can Only.")
• Wiz Khalifa – featured artist (track 3 "Fuck Apologies.")
• Remy Ma – featured artist (track 4 "FAB.")

• Hayley Warner – background vocals
• Jakob Hazell – background vocals
• Jason Dean – background vocals
• Joseph Kirkland – background vocals
• Svante Halldin – background vocals

Technical Production

• Antonina Armato – Composer
• Delbert Bowers – Mixing
• Dexter Cabellon – Assistant Engineer
• Eric Dawkins – Vocal Producer
• Jason Dean – Composer
• Alex Dezen – Composer
• Nikki Flores – Composer
• Niklas Flyckt – Mixing
• Matt Friedman – Composer
• Serban Ghenea – Mixing
• Ryan Gladieux – Engineer, Mixing
• Svante Halldin – Composer
• Steve Hammons – Engineer
• John Hanes – Mixing Engineer
• Adam Hawkins – Mixing
• Jakob Hazell – Composer
• Oscar Holter – Composer, Producer

• Jack & Coke – Producer
• Tim James – Composer
• Jussi Karvinen – Composer, Producer
• Joseph Kirkland – Composer
• Joanna Levesque – Composer, Vocal Producer
• Josh "Igloo" Monroy – Composer, Engineer, Mixing, Producer
• Erm Navarro – Trombone
• Taylor Parks – Composer
• Noah Passovoy – Engineer
• Rock Mafia – Mixing, Producer
• Eric Rosse – Composer
• T.J. Routon – Composer, Producer
• Jacob Scesney – Sax (Baritone), Saxophone
• Joakim Söderström – Mixing Assistant
• Sidnie Tipton – Composer
• Justin Tranter – Composer
• Hayley Warner – Composer

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions and reference

Region	Date	Version	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
Worldwide	October 14, 2016	Standard Deluxe	Digital download	Atlantic Warner
United States		Standard	CD	Atlantic
United States	February 3, 2017	Standard	LP

External links

• Mad Love at AllMusic