Talk Dirty (album)

In September 2013, Derulo released his third studio album Tattoos.[3] While recording the record in 2012 and 2013, he collaborated with producers including Ricky Reed and The Cataracs.[4] Following its release, Tattoos became a commercial success; it debuted in the top five on the UK Albums Chart,[5] and the Australian ARIA top 40 albums chart.[6] and charted in the top twenty in several international territories.[7] The project was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics, receiving an average score of 49, based on 4 reviews on Metacritic, indicating "generally mixed or average reviews".[8] Its singles "The Other Side", "Talk Dirty", "Marry Me" and "Trumpets" each had reached the top ten on the Australian ARIA top 40 singles chart and have each been certified multi-platinum in that country.[9]

The new songs on the album include new collaboration with rappers Kid Ink, Snoop Dogg and Tyga while the album's production was handled by Timbaland, The Cataracs, Ammo, Jon Bellion, DJ Mustard, Martin Johnson, RedOne, and Wallpaper. The album will be preceded by the release of the lead single "Wiggle" featuring American hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg.[10] Derulo released the album's official track list on March 22, 2014.[11] When speaking on the reworked US version of the album, Derulo states:

"A lot of the album is fun, a lot of it is upbeat, feel-good music, but there is an emotional portion to the album too; it morphs in a lot of different ways," he explained. "You heard the first portion of the album on songs like 'The Other Side' and 'Marry Me,' but then it switches to the other side with 'Talk Dirty.' It represents everything I've got, everything I was feeling in the moment. I love going into the studio and just letting it rip."[10][12]

Derulo commented on On Air with Ryan Seacrest that "This album has a lot of dimensions, 'The Other Side' and 'Marry Me' was one side. But when I was making this album, I wasn't thinking about making hit songs... it was just about getting myself out of the darkness. It came from an honest place, I feel like it's me"[13] Much of the new material incorporates hip hop and R&B styles unlike previously seen in Derulo's earlier albums. Four new songs were recorded for Talk Dirty: "Wiggle" (with Snoop Dogg), "Zipper", "Bubblegum" (with Tyga) and "Kama Sutra" (with Kid Ink). The newly recorded material for the reissue follow the "provocative nature and upbeat sound of the aforementioned" title track Talk Dirty.[14] "Wiggle" is an "upbeat club-ready" hip-hop infused R&B song that's all about a woman's "big fat butt".[15] Compared to the "matching the slinky nature" of the album's title track, the song features guest vocals from Snoop Dogg.[16] Ricky Reed aka Wallpaper. produced "Wiggle", while also handling the song's music and programming with assistance from Axident, Joe London and John Ryan. The song was recorded by Alex Granelli at Serenity West Recording in Los Angeles, Tha Compound in Los Angeles and at Start From Infinity "Joshua Tree Sessions". It was mixed by Manny Marroquin with additional engineering provided by Ricky Reed, Axident, John Ryan, Joe Spargur and Alex Granelli. It was mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound in New York City.[17] Speaking to NewNowNext, Derulo described it as "a song that you can't help but move to. If the person next to you is not moving, don't trust that person—that is not a good person".[18]

"Bubblegum" is an uptempo R&B song[19] that features guest vocals from Tyga is an "ode to the ghetto booties".[20] Once again reminiscent of Talk Dirty, the "contagious and energetic" song sees the inclusion of "sexed-up" lyrical content.[21][22][23] It was written by Derulo, Michael Stevenson, Tim Mosley and James Washington, while the song's production was handled by Jim Beanz and Timbaland. The song was recorded and mixed by Demacio “Demo” Castellon & Mike Turco at The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, while Tyga's vocals were recorded and mixed by Jess Jackson at Ameraycan Studios. Additional engineering was provided by Vadim Chislov and Perry Jimenez.[17] "Kama Sutra" is a mid tempo R&B song that features Kid Ink. It was written by Derulo, Brian Todd Collins, Yung Berg, Breyan Issac and DJ Mustard who also produced the song. The song was recorded by James Royo at Encore Recording Studios in Burbank with additional recording by Alex Granelli at Serenity Studios in Hollywood. It was mixed by James Royo with assistance from Victor Luevanos.[17] "Zipper" is a mid tempo R&B song and is the only new song that does not contain a featuring vocalist. It was written by Derulo, Henry Walter, Sam Sumser, Chloe Angelides, Lukasz Gottwald and Kasher. The song was produced by Cirkut, Sam Sumser and Chloe Angelides and recorded at Luke's in the Boo in Malibu, Red Jacket Studios in Fairfax and Jazzanova Recording Studio in Berlin. It was mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Additional engineering was provided by Axel Reinemer, Clint Gibbs and Sean Small with assistance from Rachael Findlen.[17]

Derulo was originally set to release the full length album of Tattoos both in the United States and Internationally on September 24, 2013, however after a last-minute shift in strategy between Derulo and his label. "Tattoos" was released as a five track EP including the first three singles plus two extra songs, with the full length album to follow shortly after the release of a third US single.[24] Derulo had confirmed that he was working on new material to be released specifically for the U.S. version of the album.[25] Explaining the last-minute shift in strategy, Derulo said, "I know the fans they wanted something here and I wanted to give the fans at least something other than just the single. So I'm doing the EP and then the album will come out shortly after that."[24] After topping the charts in over five international territories "Talk Dirty" was officially released in the United States on January 7, 2014 as the third single from the Tattoos EP.[26] Derulo officially announced the reissue of Tattoos, retitled Talk Dirty, in February 2014.[27] He added that the album would include all of the singles released from the international album including "Marry Me", "Talk Dirty", "Stupid Love", "Trumpets" and The Other Side as well as the duet with his ex-girlfriend Jordin Sparks on "Vertigo" and four additional newly recorded songs.[28]

On March 17, 2014, just under a month away from its US release, Derulo revealed the US version of the album cover.[29] The shoot took place with fashion photographer James Dimmock on February 7, 2014. Photos from the shoot and a series of promotional/press photos were released on February 18, 2014.[30] The shoot included various shirtless scenes including Derulo sitting on a windowsill. The cover art features Derulo stripped down shirtless on the "provocative cover" art, as a woman puts her hands all over his torso, much like the single cover used for "Talk Dirty".[31]

Derulo began promoting the US version of the album with live performances and appearances on televised shows, including Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 23, 2014,[32] on BET's 106 & Park on January 30, 2014,[33][34] and on The Arsenio Hall Show on February 6, 2014, in preparation for the album's US release[35] On March 17, 2014 Derulo opened for the 18th season premiere of the competitive reality show, Dancing With the Stars where he performed "Talk Dirty".[36][37] It was the first-time in the show's 9-year run where they opened with a musical performance accompanied by their acclaimed professional dancers.[36][37] As part of promotion for the album fans who use the Shazam App. for the performance were automatically entered in a contest to win a trip to Las Vegas for the album release party on April 19, 2014.[36] Following his performance on DWTS, Derulo released the official album cover art for "Talk Dirty", while the album was also made available for digital pre-order the same day.[38] Derulo also performed on the 3rd season of The Voice final live results show, which aired on April 5, 2014.[39] Derulo held a private album listening party on April 7, 2014, at 1Oak Los Angeles hosted by OK! Magazine.[40][41] During the album's release week Derulo further promoted the album with a live stream of the iHeartRadio album release party on April 15, 2014.[42][43][44] Other performances included The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[45][46] 106 & Park,[47] Late Night with Seth Meyers [48] and a free concert and CD signing at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood alongside Jake Miller on April 16, 2014.[39][49][50] Derulo is also set to perform at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.[51] Derulo will also perform at 2014 Billboard Music Awards.[51]

With "The Other Side", "Marry Me, and "Talk Dirty" being released as official singles in order, "Wiggle" featuring hip hop artist Snoop Dogg was released as the album's fourth single.[10] Derulo commented on the singles release stating "I probably shouldn't tell you, but, my next single is called 'Wiggle', and it features Snoop, and, man, it's one of the most fun records you've ever heard in your life," he said. "It's the most excited I've been about a song I wrote in my entire career."[10] Derulo performed the song for the first time live at the "Valentine's Crush" concert in February 2014.[55] Derulo has performed the song several times during his Tattoos World Tour as an encore song on his set list alongside "Trumpets".[56] The single's accompanying music video was shot on April 14, 2014 with director Colin Tilley.[57] It was sent to US Top 40 radio on May 6, 2014.[58] On August 21, 2014, "Trumpets" was sent to US radio as the fifth and final single from the album.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[59]
Cuepoint (Expert Witness)	A[60]
Music Connection	5/10[61]
Newsday	C[62]
People	[63]
Us Weekly	[64]
USA Today	[1]

Upon its release, Talk Dirty received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At USA Today, Martin Caballero rated the album two out of four stars, stating that Derulo is "wallow[ing] in familiar sexed-up tropes, both lyrically and musically, that aren't distinctive enough to ultimately prove memorable." Caballero continued saying "Talk Dirty sounds like Macklemore's Thrift Shop on Red Bull and Viagra".[1] Brent Faulkner of StarPulse.com rated the album three out of five stars, stating that the album heavily relies on sex and swagger holds the album back at times. Faulkner went on to summarize the album as "average at best" stating "[Talk Dirty] seems to put its eggs too much into one basket – specifically booty. Much like Derülo's Future History, Talk Dirty seems to lack cohesion; it's missing something".[65] Glenn Gamboa at Newsday graded the album a C, saying that Derulo "tries too hard at the wrong things... cornering the market on sex-themed pop songs." in closing Gambo called Talk Dirty a "sex-obsessed album that isn't very sexy".[62]

On the other hand, Robert Christgau was more enthusiastic in his column for Billboard, impressed by Derulo's "command of contemporary hookcraft", even though the songs were about sex gratifying enough to prompt marriage: "I value both sex and matrimony too much to recommend this life strategy. But compared to the predatory Chris Brown of 'Loyal' or the chauvinistic Trey Songz of 'Foreign', he's so exuberant and playful he helps me get why guys and dolls fall for it—even share their thrills some, vicariously."[66] David Jeffries of AllMusic said that the album appears to be "some post-traumatic stress therapy session mixed with a banging, ultra after-party." Jeffries praised the album's repacking and total repurposing of Tattoos commending the new production on the album stating "[Wiggle] gives the album a stripclub number in Ying Yang Twins style where everyone sounds like they're having the proper amount of fun".[59] Christgau named it the sixth best album of 2014 in his year-end list for The Barnes & Noble Review.[67]

On April 17, 2014 Hits Daily Double reported that "Talk Dirty" would most likely sell between 30–35,000 copies in its first week in the United States by the end of April 23, 2014.[68] Talk Dirty debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 albums chart with 44,000 copies sold in its first week, 10,000 more than predicted, becoming Derulo's first top five album and highest charting album in the US to date, beating his debut album Jason Derulo by 1,000 copies[2][69]

In its second week the album dropped thirteen places to number seventeen selling an additional 12,000 copies. In its third week it sold 8,000 more copies, bringing its total to 65,000.[70] In its fourth week the album sold 8,000 more copies bringing its total to 73,000.[71] In its fifth week the album sold 8,000 more copies bringing its total to 81,000.[72] As of July 23, 2014, the album has sold 154,000 copies.[73] On December 31, 2014, the album hit the 45th spot on the chart selling an additional 25,000 copies, including streams, bringing the total to 179,000 copies sold in the United States.[74] The album has sold 245,000 copies in the US as of May 2015.[75]

Adapted from Talk Dirty album booklet.[17]

Creativity and management

Vocal credits

Technical