When It's Dark Out
When It's Dark Out is the second studio album by American rapper G-Eazy. It was released on December 4, 2015, by RCA Records.[1] The album features guest appearances from T.I. (Tip Harris), Big Sean, Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, Too $hort, Yo Gotti, Lil Wayne, Kehlani, E 40, Keyshia Cole, Rick Ross and Kevin Gates. The production was provided by OZ, DJ Spinz, Boi-1da and Michael Keenan, among others.
When It's Dark Out | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | December 4, 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014–2015 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 61:05 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Producer |
| |||
G-Eazy chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from When It's Dark Out | ||||
|
The album was supported by four singles: "Me, Myself & I", "Order More", "Drifting" and "Some Kind of Drug".
When It's Dark Out debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album sold 135,000 copies in the first week in the United States.[2]
Recording and production
Recording sessions took place during 2014 to 2015, including executive production work by G-Eazy himself, alongside with his frequent collaborator Christoph Andersson and record producer Southside. The additional production from the album was provided by OZ and Michael Keenan, among others. G-Eazy spoke about expressing his feelings towards his fans about the sounds and how excited he was with the album. When It’s Dark Out was constructed to sound like it could accompany a horror movie as its soundtrack. During recording and production, G-Eazy stated he was influenced by both Wes Craven and Tim Burton, which is why it features many piano loops and “foggy synths” throughout the entire album.[3]
Promotion
The album's first promotional single, "You Got Me", was released on August 17, 2015.[4] The song was produced by Southside and Christoph Andersson.
The album's second promotional single, "Random", was released on October 29, 2015.[5] The song was produced by OZ. The song peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The album's third promotional single, "Sad Boy", was released on November 26, 2015. The song was written and produced by Henry Daher.
Singles
The album's lead single, "Me, Myself & I", was released on October 14, 2015. The song features as a duet track between G-Eazy and American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha, with production by Michael Keenan. The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it as G-Eazy's first top 10 hit and his second highest charting single to date behind "No Limit" featuring A$AP Rocky and Cardi B which peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also became Rexha's third Billboard Hot 100 single in her career as a featured artist.
"Order More" was first released as the album's promotional single on November 13, 2015. The song features a guest appearance from American singer Starrah, with production by DJ Spinz. The official remix was released after, which features guest appearances from American rappers Lil Wayne and Yo Gotti.
"Drifting" was released on April 17, 2016, to rhythmic radio as the album's third single. The song features guest appearances from American recording artists Chris Brown and Tory Lanez, with production by Cashmere Cat, Mssingno and Happy Perez. The song peaked at number 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"Some Kind of Drug" was released on November 16, 2016, as the album's fourth single.[6][7] The song features a guest appearance from Marc E. Bassy, while the production was handled by Rice 'N Peas, with additional production by Christoph Andersson and G-Eazy. It has since peaked at number 97 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 74/100[8] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Billboard | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork Media | 6.7/10[12] |
When It's Dark Out was met with generally positive reviews by critics upon its release. Billboard gave it 3.5 stars out of 5, and noted that "a few blatant crossover-R&B attempts feel faceless, but they're largely outliers on an album that gives this former greaser novelty three dimensions".[10] Neil Yeung of AllMusic believed that the 17 tracks were "addictive without it ever growing stale" and commended G-Eazy for how he "executes flawlessly with the shrewdness befitting of his Loyola University music industry studies degree."[9]
Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork Media thought When It's Dark Out is an improvement from These Things Happen (2014), and that the production and guest appearances seem "like a conscious effort on G-Eazy's part to flesh out his sound into something more dynamic and less one-note."[12] Ben Thompson from The Guardian stated that the album "could’ve hit a home run if it hadn’t worked so hard to cover all the bases", criticising the second half of the record.[11]
Commercial performance
When It's Dark Out debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album sold 135,000 copies in the first week in the United States.[13] As of January 2016, the album debuted at number six on the UK's Top 40 R&B, making it his most successful release in the United Kingdom and the United States. On July 7, 2016, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[14]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" |
|
| 1:11 |
2. | "Random" | OZ | 3:00 | |
3. | "Me, Myself & I" (with Bebe Rexha) |
|
| 4:11 |
4. | "One of Them" (featuring Big Sean) |
|
| 3:19 |
5. | "Drifting" (featuring Chris Brown and Tory Lanez) |
|
| 4:33 |
6. | "Of All Things" (featuring Too $hort) |
|
| 3:33 |
7. | "Order More" (featuring Starrah) |
| 3:28 | |
8. | "Calm Down" |
| The Arcade | 2:07 |
9. | "Don't Let Me Go" (featuring Grace) |
|
| 3:11 |
10. | "You Got Me" |
|
| 3:28 |
11. | "What If" (featuring Gizzle) |
| Southside | 4:13 |
12. | "Sad Boy" |
|
| 3:22 |
13. | "Some Kind of Drug" (featuring Marc E. Bassy) |
|
| 3:42 |
14. | "Think about You" (featuring Quiñ) |
|
| 2:59 |
15. | "Everything Will Be Ok" (featuring Kehlani) |
|
| 5:11 |
16. | "For This" (featuring IAMNOBODI) |
| IAMNOBODI | 4:10 |
17. | "Nothing to Me" (featuring E-40 and Keyshia Cole) |
|
| 5:29 |
Total length: | 61:07 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "Years to Go" (featuring Goody Grace) |
|
| 3:34 |
19. | "Lifestyles of the Rich & Hated" (featuring Rick Ross) |
|
| 3:54 |
Total length: | 68:35 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "The Otherside" (featuring Liphemra) | Gillum | 4e | 3:51 |
Total length: | 64:56 |
Notes
- G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha are billed together as G-Eazy x Bebe Rexha on "Me, Myself & I".
Sample credits
- "Of All Things" contains a sample of Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless), written and performed by Crystal Waters.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[39] | Gold | 40,000^ |
Poland (ZPAV)[40] | Platinum | 20,000![]() |
United States (RIAA)[41] | Platinum | 1,000,000![]() |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Lindsey Sullivan (2015-10-15). "G-Eazy Announces 'When It's Dark Out' Album, Premieres First Single 'Me, Myself & I'". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
- "G-Eazy Rules Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
- "G-Eazy's "When It's Dark Out" Album is Inspired By Tim Burton & Wes Craven - DJBooth". Djbooth.net. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- "You Got Me - Single by G-Eazy on Apple Music - iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- "When It's Dark Out : Release details". Instagram. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
- "G-Eazy feat. Marc E. Bassy- Some Kind Of Drug Video". HotNewHipHop. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ""Some Kind of Drug (feat. Marc E. Bassy) [Earwulf Remix] - Single" by G-Eazy on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- "Reviews for When It's Dark Out by G-Eazy". Metacritic. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
- Yeung, Neil (December 10, 2015). "When It's Dark Out - G-Eazy". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- Weiss, Jeff (December 10, 2015). "'Runaround Sue' Rapper G-Eazy Takes Big Step Up With 'When It's Dark Out': Album Review". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- Thompson, Ben (December 10, 2015). "G-Eazy: When It's Dark Out review – almost a crossover home run". The Guardian. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- Pearce, Sheldon (December 10, 2015). "G-Eazy: When It's Dark Out". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- Mendizabal, Amaya (December 16, 2015). "G-Eazy Rules Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard.
- "American album certifications – G Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.
- "When It's Dark Out by G-Eazy". iTunes. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- "Australiancharts.com – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- "Ultratop.be – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- "Ultratop.be – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- "G-Eazy Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- "Danishcharts.dk – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- "G-Eazy: When It's Dark Out" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes - SNEP (Week 30, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- "Charts.nz – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- "Swedishcharts.com – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- "Swisscharts.com – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- "G-Eazy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- "G-Eazy Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- "Top Canadian Albums - Year-End 2016". Billboard.
- "Album Top-100 2016" (in Danish). Hitlisten.NU. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- "Decade-End Charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- "Canadian album certifications – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Music Canada.
- "Polish album certifications – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- "American album certifications – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 11, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.