Before I Sleep (album)

Before I Sleep is the follow-up to Bruce's independently released 2010 extended play (EP), titled Search The Night, which peaked at number two on the iTunes chart in June 2012.[4] The album also marks Bruce's first release on a major record label. Bo commented of the writing process "The process of making this album has been extraordinary. It's also been the hardest and most testing time of my life. But I’ve made an album I'm incredibly proud of and I can't wait for people to hear it."[5]

The release features a number of collaborations, including Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol,[6] Sia, Greg Kurstin, Henry Binns of Zero 7, Joel Pott of Athlete and the second single co-written with former The Voice UK mentor Danny O'Donoghue, entitled 'Alive'.[7][8][9] The album features several producers, including Tom Marsh, who worked on Bo's previous release Search The Night and James Flannigan.[10]

It was announced that "Save Me" would be the first track from the album to be released as a single, which was released on the same day as the album. The track was written by Bruce, Shelly Poole and Matt Schwartz.[11]

The second single from the album has been confirmed as "Alive", which is due for release in June 2013. The track was co-written by Bruce, Danny O'Donoghue and James Barry.[12][13][14]

The artwork for the album was shot by photographer Eliot Lee Hazel, with Bruce describing his work as "gritty, cinematic and raw". Bruce also credits Hazel with helping to select the location for the video shoot for lead single "Save Me".[15]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
The Daily Mirror	[16]
Entertainment Focus	[17]
The Guardian	[18]
New!	[19]
The Times	[20]
There Goes The Fear	[21]
Virgin Media	[22]

The release has also received largely positive reviews from critics, based on the album sampler and previews. Contact Music stated of the release, "we've already had a taste of what to expect with free download 'The Fall', with its breathtaking video. Album highlights include the stunning first single 'Save Me'; 'The Hands I Hold', a soaring, anthemic classic and the perky, panoramic 'Over & Over' - all driven by Bo's captivating voice."[23]

On 26 April 2013 The Daily Mirror highlighted Before I Sleep as the "stand out album" of the week and awarded it a 3 star rating, with Gavin Martin commenting that the release was a "thoughtful, sensual work" and that Bruce's voice "has striking intimacy and character".[16] Will Hodgkinson reviewed the album for The Times and gave a further of 3 out of 5 star rating, stating "you don't doubt the authenticity of feeling in Bruce's voice" and further commenting of Bruce's voice "shifting from quiver to whisper against tribal drums, keyboard melodies and backing choirs" on the release.[20] The Guardian also gave the album a rating of 3 stars.[18]

On 28 April 2013, the day before its release, The Daily Mirror featured Before I Sleep as the "must listen" release on that week's Hotlist.[24] On 30 April 2013, New! gave the album a four star rating and voted it as "album of the week", stating that Before I Sleep was "an impressive, dramatic debut".[19]

"Save Me" is the lead single from the album and was released on 29 April 2013, the same day as the album.[25] The release was written by Bruce, Shelly Poole and Matt Schwartz who also produced the track.[26] "Save Me" received its first radio play on 20 March 2013 on BBC Radio 2, with a music video for the single being released the week before.[27][28]

"Alive" is the second single from Before I Sleep and was released on 24 June 2013. The track was co-written by Bruce and Danny O'Donoghue of The Script[29]

• "The Fall" - The music video for 'The Fall' was released on 27 November 2012. The video marked Bo's first release since competing in The Voice UK and Bruce announced that the track could be downloaded for free as an 'end of year gift' to the fans.[30][31] The video was directed by James Lawes, a school friend of Bruce's.[32]
• "Save Me" - A music video to accompany the lead single from the album was released on 10 March 2013. The video was shot in LA and was directed by Maximilla Lukacs, with Bruce commenting that the pair "instantly clicked" and were interested in the same themes.[32][33]
• "Alive" - The music video for second single 'Alive' was released on 19 May 2013 and was directed by James Lawes, who had previously directed the video for 'The Fall'.[12][13]

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an original producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies a vocal producer

Credits adapted from Before I Sleep liner notes.[14]

• List of UK top-ten albums in 2013