Living Out Loud (song)

Candy recorded the song in 2014.[1] She told about working with songwriter and featured artist Sia: "To work with, Sia is very precise, very fast, and very cerebral. Watching her do something is like watching a real artist work. She doesn't overthink anything, it's stream of consciousness, and that's really inspiring. She's definitely one of the women in pop music that's at the forefront of re-adjusting some things and changing the landscape."[7]

About the creative process and the song's creation, Candy also stated: "Sia took the reins writing it over two and a half years ago, and I recorded it then. We’ve mixed and remixed it, and we waited for the right moment [to release it]. I like the sonic composition of it, and it’s interesting having me and Sia sing back and forth to each other. At the time I was getting sober, thinking about changing my lifestyle, finding happiness… So it resonated with me because I was looking for that."[8]

Bradley Stern of PopCrush noted the song as an exploration of pop music for Candy, which differed from her typical rapping.[9] Nylon stated that the production of the song consists on "sugary pop synths" and "danceable club beats"[8] while Justin Moran from Out described it as "power-pop".[2] Lyrically, "Living Out Loud" uses a countdown form, and discusses substance abuse.[9]

In an interview with magazine Bullett, Candy told about the song: ""Living Out Loud" was a big part of me when I made it—it's such a good song and I love performing it. But now I'm just focused on raw, gritty, back to basics righteous rap music."[10]

Wonderland described "Living Out Loud" as "fearlessly creative", and "infectiously upbeat and uplifting".[11] Bradley Stern from PopCrush noted Candy's change of direction musically, and gave the song a positive review, saying, "what’s wrong with exploring new territory anyway? She’s just living out loud — after all, it’s the only way she knows how".[9] Justin Moran of Out considered the song to be "Candy's first opportunity to break into mainstream music."[2] In contrast, Mike Wass from Idolator made a negative review of the song comparing it with elevator music and called it "[a] chessy pop anthem" stating that it was "really bad".[12]

The song's official music video was released on March 27, 2017. It was directed by Simon Cahn and produced by Sarah Park.[13] The video features Candy, as well as a group of people dressing confidently in high-necked, white lace gowns and wearing low-top sneakers. Candy appears crawling around on the ground and riding a motorcycle while performing "wheelies". Sia's persona is represented via backup dancers wearing ivory corsets and her trademark black-and-blond wig.[14][15][16][17] The video has been described as "empowering" and "inclusive".[16][18] Candy has been noted to show a softer presentation of herself, in comparison to her prior work,[17] as well as resembling of Madonna" in her early career.[19]

Digital download[6]

1. "Living Out Loud" – 4:21

KDA Remix[4]

1. "Living Out Loud" (KDA Remix) – 3:41

The Remixes, Vol. 1[20]

1. "Living Out Loud" (Oskar Flood Remix) – 3:46
2. "Living Out Loud" (Madison Mars Remix) – 4:10
3. "Living Out Loud" (John "J-C" Carr Remix) – 3:20

The Remixes, Vol. 2[21]

1. "Living Out Loud" (NOTD Remix) – 3:23
2. "Living Out Loud" (Yall Remix) – 3:23
3. "Living Out Loud" (KDA Extended Mix) – 6:17

Taken from digital download liner notes.