Singular: Act I

Carpenter began teasing the album in May 2018 with the release of the album's lead single "Almost Love".[5] On June 2, 2018, Carpenter released a trailer directed by Lauren Dunn,[6][7] which coincided with her performance of "Almost Love" at Wango Tango.[8] In the trailer, Carpenter announced that the album was called Singular and that it was scheduled for a winter 2018 release. One June 22, 2018, Carpenter revealed in an interview on the Zach Sang Show that her previous two singles "Why" and "Alien" would not appear on the album. On October 1, 2018, Carpenter performed "Almost Love" on The Late Late Show With James Corden.[9] During the performance, Carpenter ripped off a piece of the set wall revealing a part of the album cover art. Then at the end of the performance, Carpenter spray painted "11/9" on the wall indicating that the album was scheduled for release on November 9, 2018.[10] On October 15, 2018, Carpenter posted a teaser of a song off Singular later revealed to be "Hold Tight". On October 22, 2018, Carpenter formally announced the album and announced that it would be released in two "acts" with Act I being released on November 9, 2018, and Act II "coming soon".[11] She also released Act I's full cover art and track list that day.[12][13]

Musically, Singular: Act I is a dance-pop album,[1] and lyrically, it is about empowering tough, admirable behavior.[14] The album opens with lead single "Almost Love", which Mike Nied of Idolator described as an "edgy anthem".[15] The song contains "intermittent whistles and drums" and is about a relationship ready to take the next step.[16] "Paris" is "an ode to the city of love" that reminds the singer of a Los Angeles lover while in Paris. "Hold Tight" is a "slinky and vaguely retro R&B" song that is the album's sole collaboration. "Sue Me" is described as a "sassy kiss-off" that talks about the end of a relationship. Carpenter has also described the song as representing pure confidence.[17] "Prfct" is a song discussing the reality of love. The song's production puts Carpenter's vocals at the forefront.[16] "Bad Time" is a "synth-driven" song. Nied described "Mona Lisa" as "enticing" and containing "flirty and creative lines." The album's closing track, "Diamonds Are Forever" sees the singer recognizing her worth.[15] It contains soulful vocals from Carpenter.[18] The Line of Best Fit called the song a "theatrical belter."[16]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Earmilk	[19]
The Line of Best Fit	[20]
Where Iz J?	10/10[21]

Mike Nied of Idolator wrote that the album is an "eight-track collection is jam-packed with bop after bop." He called the album "lush with potential hits" and "another near-perfect work from one of the industry's brightest young stars."[15] Larisha Paul of EarMilk rated the album 9.0 out of ten, giving praise to Carpenter's vocals, writing that "her inarguable dynamic vocal performances that remain consistent in every track is what sets her apart from the rest."[18] The Line of Best Fit rated the album 7.5 out of 10, stating that "it's certainly no small triumph that Singular: Act I stands so firmly by itself – and its creation marks an exciting new phase of an artist properly coming into her own."[16]

The lead single from the album, "Almost Love", was released on June 6, 2018. It reached number 21 on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart[22] and became Carpenter's second song to top the Dance Club Songs chart.[23] "Almost Love" was supplemented with a music video, which was released through Vevo and YouTube on July 13, 2018.[24] It was promoted by live performances at Wango Tango, Good Morning America and The Late Late Show with James Corden.[25][26][27]

"Sue Me" was confirmed as the album's second single.[4] It impacted mainstream radio on January 8, 2019.[28] It received a music video on November 16, 2018.[29] Carpenter promoted the single with live performances on The Today Show and Live with Kelly and Ryan.[17][30] The singles "Why" and "Alien" were included on the Japanese edition of the album, but were removed from the standard track listing.[31]

Carpenter embarked on the Singular Tour, beginning in Orlando, Florida on March 2, 2019, in support of the album and its follow up Singular: Act II.

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an executive producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies an also vocal producer
• ^{^[c]} signifies a vocal producer
• ^{^[d]} signifies a co-producer
• ^{^[e]} signifies an also remixer
• ^{^[f]} signifies a remixer

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Singular: Act I.[36]