333 (Tinashe album)
2021 studio album by Tinashe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
333 is the fifth studio album by American singer Tinashe. It was released independently through her own label on August 6, 2021. Largely self-produced and written by Tinashe, the album was primarily recorded independently following her departure from RCA Records in 2019. 333 features collaborations with artists including Buddy, Kaytranada, Wax Motif, Jeremih, Kaash Paige, Quiet Child, and Kudazi. A pop and R&B album, 333 includes electro-pop and house elements, while it explores independence, self-empowerment, love, and emotional vulnerability. Its title references the angel number "333", which signifies guidance and optimism, while the cover art depicts a sci-fi-inspired image of Tinashe with three eyes amid tranquil scenery.
| 333 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 6, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020 | |||
| Studio | Tinashe's home studio (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 47:16 | |||
| Label | Tinashe Music | |||
| Producers |
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| Tinashe chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 333 | ||||
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| Singles from 333 (Deluxe) | ||||
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333 was promoted with overall four singles, "Pasadena", "Bouncin'", "X", and "Naturally". Promotion for the album included the 333 Tour as well as a deluxe edition with additional tracks. 333 received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its cohesive production, Tinashe's versatile vocals, and genre-spanning approach. It also appeared on multiple year-end best-of lists, including Uproxx, Vibe, Spin, and Pitchfork. Commercially, the album debuted and peaked at number 175 on the US Billboard 200.
Background
I started creating my music by producing and recording myself and creating my own stuff in my room at my house... That's been a very important part of how I've been able to build myself as a career, as well as my confidence as a creative.
Following her departure from RCA Records in 2019, Tinashe returned to independent music-making with her fourth studio album, Songs for You (2019).[2] According to Tinashe, independence allowed her to reassess her purpose in the music industry and refine a more self-directed, "DIY" approach;[1] she described her period of earlier career as "very much like DIY" and noted that she was filming her own music videos and recording in her room. This early period shaped her creative approach, and returning to it with her new music made her feel "so, like, in alignment and just like everything falls into place", according to her.[3][4] During 2020, the COVID-19 lockdowns, she became increasingly focused on spirituality and self-empowerment. Tinashe intended the album to convey a sense of protection and optimism to listeners; much of 333 was shaped by self-reflection—including meditation and extended periods of introspection—which she said gave the album "a thread of connectivity".[5][6]
Tinashe emphasized that producing and recording her own material remained central to the album's creation. She described this approach as foundational to 333, particularly as she sought to strengthen her confidence as a creator and advocate for women producers and engineers.[1] She also acknowledged some challenges in this independent process, noting that there was "a lot of uncertainty" about how people would respond to her music and how she would fund and organize her projects.[7] During Billboard magazine's 2022 Women in Music event, Tinashe explained that releasing the deluxe edition of 333 "[gave] the album a little bit more life", and it allowed her to create more videos as well as performances and continue[d] the era while keeping fans engaged with additional content.[8] She expressed hope that her longtime listeners would recognize her artistic and personal growth compared to earlier projects such as Aquarius and her mixtapes, while describing the album as representative of her mindset at the time of its creation.[5]
Its title is an allusion to the angel number, associated with messages from the divine of protection, love, and destiny.[9] According to Uproxx, the number "333" is a "reassuring sign" that indicates one is on the correct path, acknowledging fears and anxieties while emphasizing optimism.[10] Regarding the title selection, Tinashe commented: "I named it 333 because I really felt like I was on the right path, in alignment with what I was meant to do. I just wanted to acknowledge that."[11] The cover artwork depicts a "sci-fi-themed" image of Tinashe crouched amid peaceful scenery, featuring three eyes.[12][13][14]
Release and promotion
Marketing
On May 28, 2021, Tinashe started to tease her fifth studio album through her social media.[15] She posted a mysterious teaser video featuring the numbers "333" on June 1—which she had previously referenced in earlier visuals including the Tokyo version of "Save Room for Us"—and updated her social media images to match.[16][17] In the video, she was shown reading the fictional "Pasadena Post", accompanied by a slowed, unreleased version of a track playing in the background.[15] Tinashe confirmed that the album would feature collaborations with both male and female artists; she revealed that she had sent material to American singer Ariana Grande, and responded positively when asked about the possibility of a collaboration, stating: "I'd like to think so and hope so."[18] She also publicly alleged on Twitter that her feature on Jack Harlow's song "Already Best Friends" had been replaced with a guest appearance by Chris Brown, and it drew attention due to Tinashe's previous public disagreement with Brown on social media.[19]
On July 23, Tinashe announced details of the album, 333, including its cover art and release date. An announcement of the single "I Can See the Future" also followed at the same day.[20][13][12] 333's release date had also been revealed in a 42-second visual clip, which depicted Tinashe with a third eye on her forehead and another on the palm of her hand.[21] During the rollout of 333, Tinashe addressed fan inquiries about the album's physical editions—explaining that their delay was due to production issues. She also mentioned that she had additional songs recorded and teased the release of deluxe edition, when speaking about the possibility of an expanded release.[1] On March 3, 2022, the album's deluxe edition was released, featuring four additional tracks: "Something Like a Heartbreak", "HMU for a Good Time" (featuring Channel Tres), "Naturally", and "Woke Up Blessed".[22][23][24] She performed the song "X" at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 16.[25]
Singles and tour
"Pasadena" featuring American rapper Buddy was released as the album's lead single on June 4, 2021.[26][27] It was co-written and produced by Oliver Malcolm.[28][29] The music video, directed by Micaiah Carter, premiered on June 10, on Tinashe's YouTube channel.[30] The video was created as a collaborative effort with photography mobile-app VSCO, and was further promoted through a social media creative challenge hosted by the company which encouraged users to create and share contents inspired by the music video, using the hashtag #VSCOPasadena.[31] The second single "Bouncin'" was released on July 9; its music video was subsequently released on July 14, directed by Lloyd Pursall and choreographed by Parris Goebel.[32][33] "I Can See the Future" was released as a promotional single on July 23, along with the album's track list announcement.[20]
The third single of 333, "X", featuring Jeremih, was released on January 21, 2022, alongside a music video of both "X" and "I Can See the Future", directed by Sebastian Sdaigui.[34] "Naturally" was released as the lead single from the album's deluxe edition on February 14.[35] It was promoted with a music video,[36] inspired by the horror movie The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.[37][38] The music video for "HMU for a Good Time", featuring Channel Tres, was surprise released on June 24, directed by Jonah Haber and choreographed by Jojo Gomez.[39]
To promote the album, Tinashe announced the 333 Tour, with Rei Ami as the supporting act.[40][41] Tickets went on sale on July 16, with pre-sale and VIP packages available from July 13, through Tinashe's official website. After several dates were sold out, new dates were added to the tour. The tour was set to conclude with a "worldwide digital experience", described as "a full-length creative production specially crafted for at-home fans around the world", in partnership with Moment House.[42] Regarding the accompanying tour, Tinashe described performing live again after an extended absence from audiences as an important experience that allowed her to reconnect with listeners and share the album's music directly.[43]
Composition
333 is a pop and R&B album[44][12] that traverses variety of genres such as electro-pop and house in a way that made "the act of listening into a game of Duck, Duck, Goose".[45] It continues Tinashe's movement away from the conventional "pop princess" image associated with her former label.[46] According to Clash, 333 is "a kaleidoscope of R&B versatility" that prioritizes eclecticism within contemporary narratives of "hot girl summers, freedom, and occasional heartbreak".[47] Beyond these, the record "continues to build a catalogue of diverse, listenable R&B"[48] and incorporates "a speedy and atmospheric drum'n'bass interlude" carried by Tinashe's falsetto.[49]
Throughout the album, Tinashe collaborated with various artists like Buddy, Kaytranada, Wax Motif, Jeremih, Kaash Paige, Quiet Child and Kudazi.[12][9][3] She then moves across "an eclectic landscape of sounds", centered on "fluttery impressionistic R&B" but extending to "neon arena anthems" like the Stargate-produced "The Chase", "undulating synth-pop" on "Undo (Back to My Heart)" with Motif, "breathless dance-adjacent hip-hop" on the Buddy collaboration "Pasadena", and "darkly spacious slow jams" on the Paige duet "Angels".[50] Later songs move through "changes in tempo, style, and mood", with high-tension beats dropping out and returning in altered form as transitions are handled either by Tinashe herself or by featured artists.[49]
Music and lyrics
333 opens with "Let Go", described by Financial Times as "a track about finding release after a break-up", pairing its theme with contrasting elements such as birdsong and bass.[51] "I Can See the Future" is a bassy[46] R&B song[10] which features Tinashe's more percussive and "rap-like cadences".[47] "X" is a "bouncy" song[10] that conveys "erotic energy" with a balance of nimbleness and intensity, presenting both artists' liberated musical approach.[51] "Shy Guy" briefly experiments with a jungle beat for just over a minute before moving on.[52] "Bouncin'" is noted as an "irresistibly catchy" track designed to embed itself in the listener's mind.[51] A dance track[46] "Unconditional" opens with "uptempo, dance-ready production" before easing into a slower second half, a shift that Uproxx noted aligns with Tinashe's request for "love without restriction" as she offers the same in return.[10] "Angels" captures a moment that is simultaneously sad and sensual.[11] The title track adopts no chorus[52] and a more rapturous tone, offering "an account of sunrise in the arms of another".[51] "Undo (Back to My Heart)" is a "crowd-friendly dance"[44] and "pop-leaning" song[10] that accelerates into a "1980s pop reminiscent of the Weeknd".[51] "Let Me Down Slowly" is presented as a moodier track, where Tinashe appears "heartbroken and in denial".[47] The following track, "Last Call", is "rich with detail" that makes collective standout moment on the album.[47] "The Chase" is a pop-rock song[44] and "Rihanna-esque power ballad"[52] that presents a narrator who has moved on and refuses to seek a past lover's return.[10] "Pasadena" is structured around a sample from OutKast's "Hey Ya!" (2003).[51] According to Clash, the song favors "ambience over substance" with its razor-sharp synths.[47] At four and a half minutes, "Small Reminders" is the album's longest track, which evolves from "smoldering jazz" into "doobie-lighting funk".[52] Following the club-ready charm of "Bouncin'", "Bouncin' Pt. II" presents a darker and cavernous atmosphere.[11]
The deluxe edition opener "Something Like a Heartbreak" combines layered vocal melodies and "twitchy electronic rhythms" over a steady bass line.[53] It also presents a narrator who concludes, "You didn't deserve my love", and later adds that she is "thankful that you cracked me open".[53] "HMU for a Good Time" is noted as an "electrifying house-infused pop record",[54] whose music video presents an energetic party setting that indicates the track's title.[39] Stereogum depicted "Naturally" as a "smooth and effortless bop",[35] while The Fader described it as a tribute to "the most sensual kind of muscle memory", saying that Tinashe's performance over "twangy guitar" and a "gently disco-fied rhythm section" aimed at drawing a specific person to the dancefloor.[38] Rated R&B found that "Woke Up Blessed" stands out as the closing song, among the new tracks.[22]
Critical reception
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, 333 received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 84 out of 100 from 5 critic scores.[55]
Clash called the album "a sparkling display of personal evolution" and despite not being a radically innovative record, it is coherent with "artful production", and "never having a dull moment". They also praised Tinashe's vocals as "faultless as ever" with "rap-like cadences."[47] Giving four out of five stars, NME said 333 "furthers the 28-year-old's narrative of being whatever she wants to be musically". They said the album also "gives off the same energy as Tinashe's early mixtapes such as Black Water (2013) and In Case We Die (2012), reminding us of the singular artist that [she] is and always has been."[46] Pitchfork named 333 her best work to date, stating it was a "showcase for her omnivorous tastes and supremely light touch". They concluded that the "breezy, impish spirit" is what most distinguishes 333 and its predecessor from her previous RCA albums.[52] Stereoboard described 333 as adding to Tinashe's "catalogue of diverse, listenable R&B", but wrote that the album "levels out at mediocre", as remarking that this was "surprising given the promise of the first half". The review suggested that this outcome may reflect "not enough risks having been taken, nor freedom deployed".[48] EastMojo described the album as "catchy" but criticized its lyrics as "mediocre."[44]
AllMusic claimed that 333 sees Tinashe truly settling into independence. They noted that the album features a near surplus of "breathy slow jams" and "midtempo cuts" and praised how she uniquely tweaked the approach of each track to ensure a fresh sound.[49] Stereogum praised the cohesiveness of the album in comparison to her previous works.[50] Uproxx noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic may appear to be a primary influence, the album's inspiration runs much deeper for Tinashe.[10]
Year-end lists
Uproxx included the album in both The 50 Best Albums of 2021[57] and The 15 Best R&B Albums of 2021,[58] while Vibe ranked it No. 2 on The 21 Best R&B Albums of 2021.[59] The album was also placed at No. 5 on 34th Street's The Best Albums of 2021,[60] and Spin ranked it No. 9 on The 30 Best Albums of 2021,[61] additionally listing "Bouncin'" at No. 11 on The 30 Best Songs of 2021.[62]
Further recognition included PopBuzz's placement of the album at No. 14 on The 30 Best Albums of 2021[63] and Okayplayer ranking it No. 16.[64] Insider Inc. featured 333 at No. 19 on its year-end list,[65] followed by Cosmopolitan at No. 22.[66] Slant Magazine ranked it No. 35 on The 50 Best Albums of 2021.[67] Pitchfork selected 333 for its unranked feature The Best Progressive Pop Music of 2021,[68] and placed "Bouncin'" at No. 16 on The 100 Best Songs of 2021.[69] Stereogum ranked "Pasadena" at No. 28 on The Best Pop Songs of 2021,[70] and included "X" in its unranked The Best Songs of 2021.[71] HipHopDX featured "Bouncin'" and "Angels" at Nos. 26 and 45, respectively, on The Best R&B Songs of the Year.[72] Additional recognition came from NPR, which ranked "X" at No. 90 on The 100 Best Songs of 2021,[73] and BrooklynVegan, which placed "X" at No. 3 on 15 R&B Songs That Defined 2021.[74]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Let Go" | Kingston Callaway | 1:53 | |
| 2. | "I Can See the Future" |
|
| 2:56 |
| 3. | "X" (featuring Jeremih) |
| 2:51 | |
| 4. | "Shy Guy" |
| Dwilly | 1:06 |
| 5. | "Bouncin'" |
| Dwilly | 2:55 |
| 6. | "Unconditional" |
| Kaytranada | 3:17 |
| 7. | "Angels" (featuring Kaash Paige) |
| 2:49 | |
| 8. | "333" (featuring ABsolutely) |
|
| 3:01 |
| 9. | "Undo (Back to My Heart)" (featuring Wax Motif) |
|
| 3:17 |
| 10. | "Let Me Down Slowly" |
| Sam Sparro | 3:05 |
| 11. | "Last Call" |
| Tido | 3:40 |
| 12. | "The Chase" |
| Stargate | 3:11 |
| 13. | "Pasadena" (featuring Buddy) |
|
| 2:56 |
| 14. | "Small Reminders" |
|
| 4:30 |
| 15. | "Bouncin', Pt. 2" |
| Alex Lustig | 3:21 |
| 16. | "It's a Wrap" (featuring Quiet Child and Kudzai) |
|
| 2:20 |
| Total length: | 47:16 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17. | "Something Like a Heartbreak" |
| Kingdom | 3:08 |
| 18. | "HMU for a Good Time" (featuring Channel Tres) |
|
| 4:07 |
| 19. | "Naturally" |
|
| 3:14 |
| 20. | "Woke Up Blessed" (featuring Christian Blue) |
| Christian Blue | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 61:17 | |||
Notes
- "Unconditional" contains a hidden track called "I Dare You" starting at 1:11.
Personnel
Credits were adapted from Tidal.[76]
- Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe – composer, lyricist (all tracks)
- Jeremih – featured artist (3)
- Kaash Paige – featured artist (7)
- Absolutely – featured artist (8)
- Wax Motif – featured artist (9)
- Buddy – featured artist (13)
- Kudzai – featured artist (16)
- Quiet Child – featured artist (16)
- Channel Tres – featured artist (18)
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Downloads (Official Charts)[77] | 56 |
| US Billboard 200[78] | 175 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[79] | 23 |
| US Top R&B Albums (Billboard)[80] | 20 |