Euphoria (Claire Richards album)
Euphoria is the second studio album and first cover album by English singer-songwriter Claire Richards. It was released on 25 August 2023 through Demon Music Group. The album features guest appearances by Australian musician Delta Goodrem and Andy Bell.
| Euphoria | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 25 August 2023 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 46:56 | |||
| Label | Demon Music Group | |||
| Producer | Steve Anderson | |||
| Claire Richards chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Euphoria | ||||
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Background
Richards stated that the album is "personal" to her, trying to delve among her own roots and background for inspiration. She realised that, in order how to learn to sing, it happened through singing along to favourite artists, much of them covered on the record. She and her producer then compiled a list and picked their favourites to record.[1] The recording process then became "the campest, possibly", quickly realising that they had put together an album with "gay anthems". As a result, the singer concluded that the record was "made for them", talking about LGBT community, and was subsequently glad to hear that they "did embrace it". One of the main influences behind the project was Swedish singer Loreen, whom she got to meet in person in June 2023.[2] The title track and name of the album are a nod to her.[3]
Upon release, Richards also revealed her "release day ritual", as she always goes out to buy her own albums on release day.[2]
Singles
- On 28 June 2023, Richards released the single "I Surrender" as the lead single from Euphoria.
- On 26 July 2023, Richards released "Summer Night City", which features Erasure lead singer Andy Bell.[4]
- On 25 August 2023, "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" was released as the third single from the album. It features Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
Critical reception
Jeremy Williams-Chalmers of The Yorkshire Times opined that the "euphoric" album is an hommage to "female vocalists who have shaped and moulded her from a musical theatre style performer into a fully fledged pop icon", describing Richards' takes on the songs as "faithfully and loyally", as well as giving them "new life and new meaning".[5] Mary Varvaris at The Music sought out the duet with Australian singer Delta Goodrem which she thought was "a brilliant track", "bringing their combined talents" to honour the original version. Varvaris highlighted the harmonisation of the pair's vocals, describing as fit enough to pull off the "disco-pop and empowerment of the original".[6]
Track listing
All songs produced by Steve Anderson.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Euphoria" | Loreen | 3:34 | |
| 2. | "Song for the Lonely" |
| Cher | 3:21 |
| 3. | "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" (Feat. Delta Goodrem) | Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer | 5:01 | |
| 4. | "So Emotional" | Whitney Houston | 3:44 | |
| 5. | "I Surrender" | Celine Dion | 4:09 | |
| 6. | "Summer Night City" (Feat. Andy Bell) | ABBA | 3:24 | |
| 7. | "This Time I Know It's for Real" |
| Donna Summer | 2:45 |
| 8. | "Never Trust a Stranger" |
| Kim Wilde | 3:40 |
| 9. | "Gloria" |
|
| 3:16 |
| 10. | "Never Knew Love Like This Before" | Stephanie Mills | 4:02 | |
| 11. | "Love Is a Battlefield" | Pat Benatar | 3:51 | |
| 12. | "Xanadu" | Jeff Lynne | Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra | 3:25 |
| 13. | "Goodbye to Love" | The Carpenters | 2:44 | |
| Total length: | 46:56 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14. | "I Surrender (7th Heaven Remix Edit)" | Celine Dion | 4:25 | |
| 15. | "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (Steve Anderson Extended Disco Mix)" (Feat. Delta Goodrem) | Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer | 6:14 | |
| 16. | "Never Knew Love Like This Before (Mastercuts Extended Mix)" | Stephanie Mills | 6:31 | |
| 17. | "Song for the Lonely (7th Heaven Remix Edit)" |
| Cher | 4:21 |
| 18. | "So Emotional (Le Flex Poolside Remix)" | Whitney Houston | 3:47 | |
| 19. | "Euphoria (Orchestral Mix)" | Loreen | 3:34 | |
| Total length: | 75:58 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20. | "Euphoria (Live At Eurovision Village, Liverpool)" | Loreen | 3:39 | |
| 21. | "I Surrender (Orchestral Mix)" | Celine Dion | 4:17 | |
| 22. | "Summer Night City (Claire Solo Version)" | ABBA | 3:24 | |
| 23. | "Never Knew Love Like This Before (Sudlow Remix)" | Stephanie Mills | 4:02 | |
| 24. | "Song For The Lonely (Steve Anderson Extended Mix)" |
| Cher | 5:52 |
| 25. | "Euphoria (7th Heaven Radio Edit)" | Loreen | 3:35 | |
| 26. | "Summer Night City (Steve Anderson Extended Mix)" (Feat. Andy Bell) | ABBA | 6:01 | |
| 27. | "Gloria (JRMX Radio Edit)" |
|
| 3:40 |
| 28. | "Summer Night City (7th Heaven Radio Edit)" (Feat. Andy Bell) | ABBA | 3:49 | |
| 29. | "Euphoria (JRMX Radio Edit)" | Loreen | 3:44 | |
| 30. | "I Surrender (Radio Edit)" | Celine Dion | 3:30 | |
| Total length: | 121:38 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20. | "So Emotional (Le Flex Retro Remix)" | Whitney Houston | 3:46 | |
| 21. | "Summer Night City (Trouser Enthusiasts Remix)" (Feat. Andy Bell) | ABBA | 8:03 | |
| 22. | "Never Trust a Stranger (Shortland Remix)" |
| Kim Wilde | 3:37 |
| 23. | "Euphoria (7th Heaven Club Mix)" | Loreen | 8:37 | |
| 24. | "This Time I Know It's for Real (Shortland Remix)" |
| Donna Summer | 3:12 |
| 25. | "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (Sudlow Remix)" (Feat. Delta Goodrem) | Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer | 3:10 | |
| 26. | "I Surrender (7th Heaven Club Mix)" | Celine Dion | 6:22 | |
| 27. | "Gloria (JRMX Club Mix)" |
|
| 6:18 |
| 28. | "Song for the Lonely (7th Heaven Club Mix)" |
| Cher | 6:18 |
| 29. | "Euphoria ([JRMX Club Mix)" | Loreen | 5:57 | |
| 30. | "Summer Night City (Trouser Enthusiasts Remix)" (Feat. Andy Bell) | ABBA | 8:04 | |
| Total length: | 137:56 | |||
Charts
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[7] | 28 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[8] | 17 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] | 3 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[10] | 2 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[11] | 1 |
References
- "Steps' Claire Richards reveals the song cover that made her cry while recording new album Euphoria". Virgin Radio UK. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- Wratten, Marcus (25 August 2023). "Claire Richards on making 'gay anthems' for new album Euphoria and the future of Steps". PinkNews. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- McLaughlin, Charlotte (7 July 2023). "Steps doing Eurovision would be the kiss of death – Claire Richards". Evening Standard. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- "Claire Richards teams up with Erasure's Andy Bell on storming cover of ABBA's Summer Night City". Retro Pop. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- Williams-Chalmers, Jeremy (26 August 2023). "Albums: Claire Richards Euphoria". The Yorkshire Times. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- Varvaris, Mary (31 August 2023). "Steps' Claire Richards Taps Delta Goodrem For Duet". The Music. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- "Ultratop.be – Claire Richards – Euphoria" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- "Ultratop.be – Claire Richards – Euphoria" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2023.