Freedom Child

Freedom Child is the fifth studio album by Irish rock band The Script. It was released via Columbia Records[2] and Sony Music on 1 September 2017.[3][4][5]

For the opera, see Freedom Child (opera). For the album by Billy Joe Shaver, see Freedom's Child.

Freedom Child
Studio album by
The Script
Released1 September 2017
Recorded2016–2017
Genre
Length48:56
Label
The Script chronology
No Sound Without Silence
(2014)		 Freedom Child
(2017)		 Acoustic Sessions
(2018)
Singles from Freedom Child
  1. "Rain"
    Released: 14 July 2017
  2. "Arms Open"
    Released: 13 November 2017

Background

Speaking about how pop music has turned out since The Script went on a hiatus after their last album No Sound Without Silence, Danny O’Donoghue said "If you take a listen to radio now, there aren’t too many bands - guitar, bass, drums, vocals. Everyone has some kind of production element." The album was announced as members of the band took time out with their families in Ireland after four studio albums since 2008.[3]

"Rain" was released as the first single from the album and their first new song since 2014.[3][6][7][8]

Explaining how the album title was decided, O'Donoghue said "It came from Mark's side... His seven-year-old came up to him one day and asked, 'Dad, what's terrorism?'" The album title was inspired by its song of the same name, which addresses terrorism and the need for harmony.[9] He also mentioned how the album covers many topics.[10]

"Divided States of America", a song on the album was explained by O’Donoghue, who said "We were in America when Trump's inauguration was happening, and you couldn’t walk down the street without seeing how divided America was. The guy selling cigarettes could be a Democrat and the guy he's selling them to could be a Trump supporter."[11][12]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
The Irish Times[14]
The Last Mixed Tape2/10[15]
London Evening Standard[16]
Raidió Teilifís Éireann[17]

Matt Collar of AllMusic gave the album a positive review, stating that the album "is a vibrant, immediately engaging effort that finds them nicely balancing their various influences, from slick dance-pop to kinetic R&B and thoughtful, crowd-pleasing anthems." Eleanor of Live Arena also gave the album a positive review but with no score, stating that "the group's confident new sound, that strays away from the rock feel we're used to, strikes listeners with positivity and strength. It's worth a listen."[18]

The album has had several negative reviews, including from Lauren Murphy of The Irish Times, who stated that "it's too long, but more importantly, it's emotionally hollow."[14] Rick Pearson of London Evening Standard also gave the album a negative review, and said that "Truly, the road to musical hell is paved with good intentions."[16] Stephen White of The Last Mixed Tape gave the album a score of 2 out of 10, calling the album "an advert that will top the charts".[19]

Track listing
Freedom Child track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."No Man Is an Island"
3:49
2."Rain"
  • O'Donoghue
  • Purcell
  • Sheehan
  • Barry
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
  • Andrew Frampton
  • Max Farrar
3:29
3."Arms Open"
4:00
4."Rock the World"
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
  • Frampton
  • Kipner
3:10
5."Mad Love"
  • Sheehan
  • Frampton
  • O'Donoghue
  • Kipner
  • The Script
  • Frampton
  • Kipner
  • Farrar[a]
3:25
6."Deliverance"
3:31
7."Divided States of America"
  • Sheehan
  • O'Donoghue
  • Barry
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
  • Frampton[c]
4:04
8."Wonders"
  • Gad
  • Frampton
  • Farrar
4:18
9."Love Not Lovers"
  • Sheehan
  • Frampton
  • O'Donoghue
  • Kipner
  • The Script
  • Frampton
  • Farrar
  • Kipner
3:44
10."Eden"
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
  • Gad
  • Frampton
3:29
11."Make Up"
  • Sheehan
  • O'Donoghue
  • Barry
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
  • Frampton
3:26
12."Written in the Scars"
  • Sheehan
  • Frampton
  • O'Donoghue
  • Max Farrar
  • Kipner
  • Frampton
  • Farrar
  • Kipner
3:47
13."Awakening"
  • Sheehan
  • O'Donoghue
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
0:47
14."Freedom Child"
  • Sheehan
  • O'Donoghue
  • Barry
  • The Script
  • Jimbo
  • Frampton
3:57
Total length:48:56

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer.
  • ^[c] signifies a vocal producer.

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for Freedom Child
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Katie, Baillie (21 July 2017). "The Script announce new album Freedom Child and tour: 'We wanted to revamp and reboot the sound'". Metro. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  2. "The Script announce big Blackpool date – four years since Lights no-show". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  3. McCabe, Kathy (16 August 2017). "The Script delivers music with a message on new Freedom Child album | Herald Sun". Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  4. "The Script Announce Dublin Show". 98FM. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  5. "The Script Announce New Album "Freedom Child": Tracklist + Cover Art!". Directlyrics. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  6. "The Script return after a domesticated break!". RTÉ.ie. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  7. Adejobi, Alicia (28 July 2017). "The Script warn 'traditional bands are in danger' as group return with trendy album Freedom Child". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  8. Jones, Craig (15 August 2017). "The Script release new music ahead of special Bridlington gig". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  9. Ahmad, Tufayel (21 July 2017). "The Script: "Musicians aren't standing up over terrorism. Where the hell is Bono? Jay-Z? Beyoncé?"". Newsweek. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  10. Rob, Copsey (21 July 2017). "The Script announce new album: "It covers terrorism, heartbreak, euphoria"". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  11. Shilpa, Ganatra (29 July 2017). "The Script: 'Find a band who sing as honestly as us. I dare you'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  12. "The Script Announce Tour and New Album Details ::The Script News ::antiMusic.com". www.antimusic.com. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  13. Collar, Matt. "Freedom Child - The Script". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  14. Murphy, Lauren. "The Script review: The boys go a bit Bono-lite". The Irish Times. The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  15. White, Stephen (September 2017). "Review: The Script - Freedom Child". The Last Mixed Tape. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  16. Pearson, Rick. "The Script, Freedom Child - review: 'Well-meaning but full of chugging guitars and lyrical guff'". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  17. Corr, Alan (September 2017). "The Script: Freedom Child - time for a rewrite". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Alan Corr. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  18. "The Script release their genre-mixing album "Freedom Child"". Live Arena. Eleanor. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  19. White, Stephen (1 September 2017). "Review | The Script – Freedom Child". the Last Mixed Tape.
  20. "Australiancharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  21. "Austriancharts.at – The Script – Freedom Child" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  22. "Ultratop.be – The Script – Freedom Child" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  23. "Ultratop.be – The Script – Freedom Child" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  24. "The Script Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  25. "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 37.Týden 2017 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  26. "Danishcharts.dk – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  27. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Script – Freedom Child" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  28. "The Script: Freedom Child" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  29. "Lescharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  30. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Script – Freedom Child" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  31. "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Script". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  32. "Italiancharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  33. "Charts.nz – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  34. "Norwegiancharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  35. "Portuguesecharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  36. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  37. "Spanishcharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  38. "Swedishcharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  39. "Swisscharts.com – The Script – Freedom Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  40. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  41. "The Script Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  42. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2017". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  43. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  44. "British album certifications – The Script – Freedom Child". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
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