Consequences (Joan Armatrading album)

Consequences is the twentieth studio album by British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, released on 18 June 2021 by BMG Rights Management. The album peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart. It was produced solely by Armatrading.^[2]

Consequences
Studio album by Joan Armatrading
Released	18 June 2021
Studio	Bumpkin Studios, Surrey[1]
Length	34:37
Label	BMG
Producer	Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading chronology
Not Too Far Away (2018) Consequences (2021) Live at Asylum Chapel (2022)
Singles from Consequences
"Already There" Released: 5 May 2021

Background

In an interview with Forbes, Armatrading said that the album received its title from the recurring topic of consequences she would often discuss with others about: "I'm always saying things to people like, "You've got to realize the consequences of what you're doing." Even really mundane things, you think you're doing this thing. Something happens in the midst of doing that thing that causes you to veer off into a whole different angle that you didn't realize was going to happen."^[3]

Promotion

Consequences was announced on 5 May 2021 for release on 18 June 2021, with the lead single "Already There" being released the same day as the announcement.^[4] An official video for the song was released on 20 May.^{[citation needed]}

Critical reception

Upon its release, Consequences received positive reviews from music critics. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian rated the album four out of five stars; he wrote about the album's diverse sounds and instrumentation utilization and concluded his review by writing: "A critical elevation of her work would be welcome and just, but it’s worth pointing out that Armatrading herself seems perfectly content where she is."^[5] Lee Zimmerman of American Songwriter also gave the album four out of five stars, writing that the album "offers no shortage of rhythm-ready offerings, which ensure the enthusiasm remains at a constant peak."^[6]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Natural Rhythm"	3:34
2.	"Already There"	3:42
3.	"To Be Loved"	3:17
4.	"Better Life"	3:20
5.	"Glorious Madness"	3:14
6.	"Like"	3:03
7.	"Consequences"	4:48
8.	"Sunrise" (instrumental)	3:07
9.	"Think About Me"	3:00
10.	"To Anyone Who Will Listen"	3:36
Total length:		34:37

All tracks are written by Joan Armatrading

Charts

Chart (2021)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[7]	10
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8]	3
Scottish Albums (OCC)[9]	3
Switzerland Albums Chart[10]	72

References

1. "Joan Armatrading - Consequences". Discogs.
2. Sheffield, Rob (18 June 2021). "The Eternal Cool of Joan Armatrading". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
3. Baltin, Steve (6 July 2021). "Q&A: Joan Armatrading On 'Consequences,' Songwriting And More". Forbes. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
4. Monroe, Jazz (5 May 2021). "Joan Armatrading Announces New Album Consequences, Shares Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
5. Petridis, Alexis (17 June 2021). "Joan Armatrading: Consequences review – strikingly inventive songwriter deserves her due". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
6. Zimmerman, Lee (18 June 2021). "Review: Joan Armatrading Reaps Full Consequences". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
7. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
8. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
9. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
10. "swisscharts.com: Joan Armatrading". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2024.}