Soul Punk
Encyclopedia
Soul Punk is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter
Patrick Stump
, the lead vocalist, guitarist and composer of Fall Out Boy
. It was released in the United States on October 18, 2011 through Island Records
, with varying release dates in other regions. Stump's solo project was officially announced in January 2010 and he later revealed his first album's title to be Soul Punk. It is the first major musical project undertaken by Stump since Fall Out Boy's hiatus in late 2009. The album features no guest artists (besides a bonus remix track with guest vocals from Lupe Fiasco
), and Stump wrote all the tracks and played all the instruments on the album, as well as handling production. Stump has been often compared to Michael Jackson
, whom he has cited as a major influence. He has commented on the album being "90% metaphors."
To promote Soul Punk, Stump toured the U.S. twice and played dates in Europe, opened for Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae, played at Chicago and Japan music festivals, and is supporting Panic! at the Disco
on their month-long U.S. fall tour. He is also doing extensive radio tours to support his record. Rolling Stone
included Soul Punk in their "Fall Music Preview: The Season's Hottest Albums" and Spin
listed it in their "30 Must-Hear Albums of 2011." Soul Punk has had tentative release dates delayed and unconfirmed dates on the internet. Stump originally completed the album in 2010 and had a tentative February 2011 release date but re-did the finished album after he came up with a song called "This City". For the album's delay, in place of it is a digital EP
, Truant Wave
, containing six songs, three of which he collaborated with other artists, released on February 22, 2011 on iTunes.
On May 9, 2011 Stump uploaded "Explode", a track from the upcoming record to YouTube. A song remix of a Soul Punk track titled "This City
" featuring Lupe Fiasco
was uploaded to YouTube and was later released to iTunes and other online outlets on July 26 as the album's first single. Its music video was premiered on Vevo on September 20. Stump revealed the album cover art on September 7, again done by Aakash Nihalani, whom previously did the art for Truant Wave. Soul Punk is also available as a deluxe edition with additional tracks. The remix of "This City" is included as a bonus track on both album versions. iTunes' album preorders started on September 27 as well as physical CD preorders from Stump's webstore. With preorders from Stump's online store, a package with a lithograph by Roland Tamayo was available.
Soul Punk was released to generally positive reviews by most music critics, with many critics praising Stump's musical direction and songwriting skill. The album debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200
but fell off the week after despite its positive reception.
band Fall Out Boy
, formed in 2001. Other members are bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman
and drummer Andy Hurley
. The band has released five studio albums thus far. They first achieved some underground success with their debut mini-LP
, Fall Out Boy's Evening Out with Your Girlfriend
, in 2003 and first full-length album, Take This to Your Grave
, released through indie label Fueled by Ramen
later that year that has been credited as earning the band a dedicated fanbase as well as some minor commercial success. Fall Out Boy's mainstream breakthrough came in 2005 with their top 10 hit single "Sugar, We're Goin Down
" from their Island Records
major label debut album, From Under the Cork Tree
. The single and album were both certified double platinum
by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) for the shipment of two million copies each, with the second single, "Dance, Dance
" achieving platinum status. In early 2007, the band released their fourth studio album, Infinity on High
to major chart success worldwide, spearheaded by the lead single "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race
". The album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200
and inside the top five in many countries worldwide. Both "This Ain't a Scene..." and the album were certified platinum by the RIAA. Folie à Deux, released in December 2008, stands as Fall Out Boy's fifth and final studio album before their indefinite hiatus. After touring as the supporting act for blink-182
's 2009 summer reunion tour, Fall Out Boy released a greatest hits album, Believers Never Die - Greatest Hits in November 2009 before shortly announcing an indefinite hiatus. Since then the band members have engaged in various side projects.
Fall Out Boy's hiatus allowed Stump to pursue a solo project and make music that he could not with the band. He announced his side-project in January 2010 through a message on his YouTube video. Again working with Island Records, Stump produced Soul Punk. Originally having a tentative release date of February 2011, it was delayed to October that year. In its place, Stump released Truant Wave
as his first extended play
(EP) through his own record label Nervous Breakdance Media digitally on February 22, 2011. Stump originally completed his album in 2010 but started again from scratch to re-build the album around a song called "This City
" that he wrote at the eleventh hour because he wanted to include it but felt it didn't fit on the record. His bandmates Trohman and Hurley formed the heavy metal supergroup The Damned Things
with members from Anthrax
and Every Time I Die
, releasing Ironiclast
as their debut album in 2010. Wentz formed an electropop/experimental band with lead singer Bebe Rexha. Commenting on these musical endeavours, Stump said "when I look at Damned Things, when I look at Black Cards, I feel like those are totally viable, legitimate bands. It’s not some side project full of songs your main band didn’t want, it is its own thing. I think that means it needed to happen."
, instead. A remix of "This City
" was later released for streaming on the internet and sent to iTunes and radio in the lead up to the album's release.
On November 29, Patrick Stump released "Spotlight" on his website in two different versions, "Spotlight (New Regrets)" and "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)". He also included download links for both songs. The website viewed a message from Stump saying that he could not decide between the two versions and asked his fans to vote in a poll, also on his website, for the public's preference as to which version should appear on the album. Although "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" was ahead in the poll before it was hidden, Stump since decided to put "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" on Truant Wave, saying that the votes were too close and that he felt as if "Oh Nostalgia basically needed its own record", building Truant Wave around it. "As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid" and "Love, Selfish Love", two tracks included on the EP, have both been played at Stump's first solo performance, at South by Southwest
(SXSW), in 2010 and as acoustic versions at Stump's live Rolling Stone
session. On Twitter he mentioned that the songs he had debuted at South by Southwest in 2010 would not be on Soul Punk, but would still receive a "proper release", which is now known to be Truant Wave.
He released a "Spotlight (New Regrets)" 7" vinyl
through his Nervous Breakdance Media label, which was his label's first release. It was yellow and limited to a 500 pressings, featuring "Spotlight (New Regrets)" and "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" as a Double A-side. It was available through his online store. A music video has been released for the "Oh Nostalgia" version. "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" was featured in The Vampire Diaries
in the Episode: "The Last Dance".
Stump has unveiled a video of him performing "Spotlight (New Regrets)" live on his redesigned website as of December 20, after both "Spotlight" versions cracked 100,000 YouTube views the nights before. The clip features Patrick Stump simultaneously singing and playing multiple instruments, including an electric drum and a synthesizer, in his studio. In the clip's title, he called himself a "one man band".
On May 6, 2011, Stump updated his website and also posted to his Facebook and Twitter, announcing "I feel like I'm gonna explode 5.9.11" with a link which lead to a video called "Tsar bomba", which was a video of a bomb explosion. The "I feel like I'm gonna explode" phrase came from a song called "Explode", which Stump had premiered at a live show. A new song, titled "Explode" was revealed on May 9, 2011, with a message, "Listen to "Explode" off of my upcoming album Soul Punk on Vulture". Vulture was the website that Stump released the song to. NyMag.com commented that the song is "heavily indebted to Michael Jackson and, in good news for FOB loyalists, not totally unlike Stump's old band". The song's video caption read "Soul Punk: coming late Summer", which is Stump's first official announcement to the public regarding Soul Punks release date. ""Explode" features Stump’s unique, unmistakable vocals and the clever wordplay that was used to be expected from Pete Wentz," Idolator
favourably reported. "In addition to kinship with previous tracks from Fall Out Boy, there’s a little Michael Jackson
flavor in here, too."
On June 27 2011, Stump wrote on his Facebook and Twitter page, "Tuesday". The next day (the Tuesday he was referring to) on June 28, 2011 Stump premiered remix of his Soul Punk track "This City" which features rapper and fellow Chicagoan Lupe Fiasco
. The remix was released to digital outlets on July 26, 2011 as the albums first single. The original album version will be released on Soul Punk. Stump said his relationship with the rapper goes back several years. "Before Food & Liquor came out he and I were talking about working on something together. I ended up producing the song "Little Weapon" for his The Cool record," he said. "I actually wrote the hook for "This City" with him in mind before I decided to use it for Soul Punk, so when the label asked me if I'd be interested in doing a remix with an MC he was the only real way I'd say yes." He also added "I'm kind of pop but a little left of center, It sounds kind of like it makes sense on the radio but at the same time doesn't at all. It's very me." Becky Bain of Idolator commented on the song's "full-on R&B mode [...] pop-synth explosion" and noted that the "catchy tune [is] more soul than punk". A music video has been made for it and it premiered on Vevo on September 20.
With a few days' lead up on Twitter, Stump announced the release date of October 18, 2011 for Soul Punk and again updated his website.
Stump revealed the cover art on September 7. It was done by Aakash Nihalani, whom also did the art for Truant Wave. Soon after, Stump announced the track listing and a deluxe edition with four additional tracks. The remix of "This City" will be included as a bonus track on both versions of the album as part of his label's idea. iTunes' album preorders started on September 27 as well as physical CD preorders from Stump's webstore. There are two options on Stump's online store: a package with a deluxe edition CD with a lithograph by Roland Tamayo is available and limited to 1000 units, of which the first 250 signed by Stump and Tamayo, or a stand alone deluxe edition CD. Anyone who preorders from his webstore will be entered into a contest where he will record a custom-made version of "Allie" for 20 random people with their name throughout the song. To mark 100,000 fans on Facebook, Stump leaked "Allie" onto the internet. Days before the disc was released, he put it up for free streaming in its entirety on Rolling Stone.
Stump-O-Matic signature guitar with white and silver stripes, a color change to the one he has played with Fall Out Boy.
Truant Wave
was released on February 22 after being first announced the week before, with no promotion or lead up. In an interview with Buzznet in April 2011, Stump said "It's not in stone, but I'm hearing late July [2011] for Soul Punk". "Explode", a Soul Punk song Stump uploaded to YouTube had its captions as: "Soul Punk: coming late Summer." In addition, Amazon has stated a release date of September 13. An advanced album review by Alternative Press magazine reported a release date of July 26, 2011. However, Patrick Stump did not confirm or announce this date, contrary to rumor. A remix of the Soul Punk track "This City
" was released to iTunes on July 26, with Stump Tweeting, "contrary to rumor, Soul Punk's not coming out July 26th. "This City" will be released on itunes that day." An article by Universal Music stated an October 2011 release in the US and September 19 internationally. In a radio interview Stump commented that it was up to the label, hearing a possible September 2011 release. On July 18 he Tweeted, "I will announce a release date as soon as I know it. Until then, it's all just rumors," and followed it up the next day with "I don't control the release date." At that time, Stump did not confirm any release dates for Soul Punk, contrary to misconception with many release dates spreading around the internet. On July 25, Patrick Stump officially announced a set release date of October 18, 2011.
gave the album three and a half out of five stars, saying that "Stump is an excellent, nimble singer, but it's his songwriting that makes this one of the most irrefutably catchy albums of 2011."
Stump has also performed an a capella cover of John Legend
's "Green Light
" and a Michael Jackson
a capella tribute. Stump recorded himself singing a mash-up of Jackson hits, blending "Billie Jean
", "Scream
", "Man in the Mirror
," "Thriller
" and other Jackson songs over pre-recorded backing vocals. In October, for the lead up to the album release, Stump released an a capella of "Everybody Here Wants You" by Jeff Buckley and then a new jack swing
tribute a capella mash-up of Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It", Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step", Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison" and Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly".
On 4 February 2011, Patrick Stump performed a live acoustic set for Rolling Stone
. The live session featured songs which were later released on Truant Wave, notably "As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid", "Love Selfish Love" and "Spotlight". In addition, Stump also played a cover of "Step Right Up" by Tom Waits
. Stump performed while playing an acoustic guitar, with the exception of "Step Right Up" in which he had a partner, Matt Rubano (formerly of Taking Back Sunday
) playing the bass guitar; who is also the bassist in Stump's backing band for live shows. While he had intended to play the bass himself, Stump was unable to work the drum machine at the rear of the room which he had purchased the previous day. He was forced to compensate for this by clicking his fingers to the beat. In saying "you've got full on acoustic today because of that", Stump suggests that he had intended for drum beats to be playing for each of his previous songs.
and Janelle Monae
's Hoologans in Wonderland tour he opened for four shows, and finished his second US tour (first full-length headlining tour), beginning on August 3, 2011 and ending September 3, with supporting acts Wynter Gordon
and John West. He also played at music festivals in Chicago (Lollapalooza
) and Japan (Fuji Rock Festival
). Stump supported Panic! At The Disco
on their month-long US fall tour, during which he also held some of his own gigs, including headlining the Metro in Chicago, as well playing at various promotional events and radio sponsored shows. To further promote Soul Punk, Stump has an extensive interview schedule and has made TV appearances on Good Morning New Orleans and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
.
, except on "This City" remix bonus track.
1"Cryptozoology" is a hidden track
, beginning right after "Run Dry (X Heart X Fingers)" and may be considered as a run-on second part of "Run Dry."
2The remix of "This City" is a bonus track and is not a part of the album's actual sequencing.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Patrick Stump
Patrick Stump
Patrick Vaughn Stump is an American singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, and music critic. He is the composer, lead singer, and multi-instrumentalist of Fall Out Boy, an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, and is also a solo artist...
, the lead vocalist, guitarist and composer of Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
. It was released in the United States on October 18, 2011 through Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, with varying release dates in other regions. Stump's solo project was officially announced in January 2010 and he later revealed his first album's title to be Soul Punk. It is the first major musical project undertaken by Stump since Fall Out Boy's hiatus in late 2009. The album features no guest artists (besides a bonus remix track with guest vocals from Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
), and Stump wrote all the tracks and played all the instruments on the album, as well as handling production. Stump has been often compared to Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, whom he has cited as a major influence. He has commented on the album being "90% metaphors."
To promote Soul Punk, Stump toured the U.S. twice and played dates in Europe, opened for Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae, played at Chicago and Japan music festivals, and is supporting Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
on their month-long U.S. fall tour. He is also doing extensive radio tours to support his record. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
included Soul Punk in their "Fall Music Preview: The Season's Hottest Albums" and Spin
Spin
-In mathematics, science and technology:* Electron magnetic dipole moment* Rotation or spin, a movement of an object in a circular motion* Social Phobia Inventory, abbreviated as SPIN, a psychological test of social anxiety disorder....
listed it in their "30 Must-Hear Albums of 2011." Soul Punk has had tentative release dates delayed and unconfirmed dates on the internet. Stump originally completed the album in 2010 and had a tentative February 2011 release date but re-did the finished album after he came up with a song called "This City". For the album's delay, in place of it is a digital EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Truant Wave
Truant Wave
Truant Wave is the debut studio EP by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump, member of Fall Out Boy. It was first released as a digital download exclusive to iTunes, on February 22, 2011 through Nervous Breakdance Media, Stump's own record label, before becoming available from all online...
, containing six songs, three of which he collaborated with other artists, released on February 22, 2011 on iTunes.
On May 9, 2011 Stump uploaded "Explode", a track from the upcoming record to YouTube. A song remix of a Soul Punk track titled "This City
This City
"This City" is a song by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump from his debut solo album Soul Punk . A remix featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco was released as the album's first single...
" featuring Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
was uploaded to YouTube and was later released to iTunes and other online outlets on July 26 as the album's first single. Its music video was premiered on Vevo on September 20. Stump revealed the album cover art on September 7, again done by Aakash Nihalani, whom previously did the art for Truant Wave. Soul Punk is also available as a deluxe edition with additional tracks. The remix of "This City" is included as a bonus track on both album versions. iTunes' album preorders started on September 27 as well as physical CD preorders from Stump's webstore. With preorders from Stump's online store, a package with a lithograph by Roland Tamayo was available.
Soul Punk was released to generally positive reviews by most music critics, with many critics praising Stump's musical direction and songwriting skill. The album debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
but fell off the week after despite its positive reception.
Background
Patrick Stump is the lead vocalist, guitarist and composer of the Chicago-based rockRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
, formed in 2001. Other members are bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman
Joe Trohman
Joseph Mark Trohman is an American musician. He is best known as the guitarist of the Chicago-based pop punk band Fall Out Boy, as well as the lead and rhythm guitarist for heavy metal supergroup The Damned Things.-Early life:...
and drummer Andy Hurley
Andy Hurley
Andrew John Hurley is an American musician and drummer. He is best known as a member of the Chicago-based rock band Fall Out Boy. Prior to Fall Out Boy, Hurley played in several different bands. He is currently the drummer in the heavy metal supergroup The Damned Things with Fall Out Boy guitarist...
. The band has released five studio albums thus far. They first achieved some underground success with their debut mini-LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, Fall Out Boy's Evening Out with Your Girlfriend
Fall Out Boy's Evening Out with Your Girlfriend
Fall Out Boy's Evening Out with Your Girlfriend is the debut mini-LP by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was released in 2003 through Uprising Records. In 2005, Uprising released a remastered reissue as Evening Out with Your Girlfriend, following the band's very successful major label debut From...
, in 2003 and first full-length album, Take This to Your Grave
Take This to Your Grave
Take This to Your Grave is the second studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It is the group's first release under the Fueled by Ramen label and was released on May 6, 2003. The album title is taken from a line from the lyrics of the track "The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes", which...
, released through indie label Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
later that year that has been credited as earning the band a dedicated fanbase as well as some minor commercial success. Fall Out Boy's mainstream breakthrough came in 2005 with their top 10 hit single "Sugar, We're Goin Down
Sugar, We're Goin Down
"Sugar, We're Goin Down" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, and the lead single from their third album, From Under the Cork Tree . With the music composed by lead vocalist and guitarist Patrick Stump and all lyrics penned by bassist Pete Wentz, the single reached No...
" from their Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
major label debut album, From Under the Cork Tree
From Under the Cork Tree
From Under the Cork Tree is the third studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was released on May 3, 2005, through Island Records as the band's major label debut...
. The single and album were both certified double platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA) for the shipment of two million copies each, with the second single, "Dance, Dance
Dance, Dance
"Dance, Dance" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy and the second single from their third studio album, From Under the Cork Tree. Released in late 2005, in the United States it reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2006, becoming the band's second consecutive top 10 hit single....
" achieving platinum status. In early 2007, the band released their fourth studio album, Infinity on High
Infinity on High
Infinity on High is the fourth studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on February 5, 2007 by Island Records as the follow-up to the band's commercially successful 2005 album From Under the Cork Tree. Pre-production began in the group's hometown of Chicago, where writing and...
to major chart success worldwide, spearheaded by the lead single "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race
This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race
"This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy and the lead single from their commercially successful fourth studio album Infinity on High . The song was first played on September 30, 2006 at a Philadelphia radio station, 102.1, and leaked onto the internet...
". The album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and inside the top five in many countries worldwide. Both "This Ain't a Scene..." and the album were certified platinum by the RIAA. Folie à Deux, released in December 2008, stands as Fall Out Boy's fifth and final studio album before their indefinite hiatus. After touring as the supporting act for blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
's 2009 summer reunion tour, Fall Out Boy released a greatest hits album, Believers Never Die - Greatest Hits in November 2009 before shortly announcing an indefinite hiatus. Since then the band members have engaged in various side projects.
Fall Out Boy's hiatus allowed Stump to pursue a solo project and make music that he could not with the band. He announced his side-project in January 2010 through a message on his YouTube video. Again working with Island Records, Stump produced Soul Punk. Originally having a tentative release date of February 2011, it was delayed to October that year. In its place, Stump released Truant Wave
Truant Wave
Truant Wave is the debut studio EP by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump, member of Fall Out Boy. It was first released as a digital download exclusive to iTunes, on February 22, 2011 through Nervous Breakdance Media, Stump's own record label, before becoming available from all online...
as his first extended play
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(EP) through his own record label Nervous Breakdance Media digitally on February 22, 2011. Stump originally completed his album in 2010 but started again from scratch to re-build the album around a song called "This City
This City
"This City" is a song by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump from his debut solo album Soul Punk . A remix featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco was released as the album's first single...
" that he wrote at the eleventh hour because he wanted to include it but felt it didn't fit on the record. His bandmates Trohman and Hurley formed the heavy metal supergroup The Damned Things
The Damned Things
The Damned Things are a heavy metal supergroup consisting of Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die and Josh Newton formally of Every Time I Die The band's name is inspired by the lyrics in Ram Jam's '70s version of...
with members from Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
, releasing Ironiclast
Ironiclast
Ironiclast is the debut album the American heavy metal supergroup The Damned Things. The album was released on December 14, 2010 internationally and a day later in North America. The supergroup includes Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax and Keith...
as their debut album in 2010. Wentz formed an electropop/experimental band with lead singer Bebe Rexha. Commenting on these musical endeavours, Stump said "when I look at Damned Things, when I look at Black Cards, I feel like those are totally viable, legitimate bands. It’s not some side project full of songs your main band didn’t want, it is its own thing. I think that means it needed to happen."
History
Patrick Stump officially announced the album through a YouTube video uploaded on January 2010. It featured himself playing various instruments in the studio, including drums, guitars, synthesizer, trumpet, and cowbells, among others. At the end of the video is a caption saying "I'm working on an album. I'll be writing/producing/performing everything myself. Stay tuned". Soul Punk is the ultimate solo effort, featuring no guest artists or other producers as Stump is doing absolutely everything by himself. Several track names were released early such as "This City", "Greed" and "Allie". "Neither I nor my music seem[s] comfortably defined by the DIY punk or R&B/hip-hop scenes," Stump said in a press release. Previously announced songs "Love, Selfish Love" and "As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid" were released on his debut EP, Truant WaveTruant Wave
Truant Wave is the debut studio EP by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump, member of Fall Out Boy. It was first released as a digital download exclusive to iTunes, on February 22, 2011 through Nervous Breakdance Media, Stump's own record label, before becoming available from all online...
, instead. A remix of "This City
This City
"This City" is a song by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump from his debut solo album Soul Punk . A remix featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco was released as the album's first single...
" was later released for streaming on the internet and sent to iTunes and radio in the lead up to the album's release.
On November 29, Patrick Stump released "Spotlight" on his website in two different versions, "Spotlight (New Regrets)" and "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)". He also included download links for both songs. The website viewed a message from Stump saying that he could not decide between the two versions and asked his fans to vote in a poll, also on his website, for the public's preference as to which version should appear on the album. Although "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" was ahead in the poll before it was hidden, Stump since decided to put "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" on Truant Wave, saying that the votes were too close and that he felt as if "Oh Nostalgia basically needed its own record", building Truant Wave around it. "As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid" and "Love, Selfish Love", two tracks included on the EP, have both been played at Stump's first solo performance, at South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
(SXSW), in 2010 and as acoustic versions at Stump's live Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
session. On Twitter he mentioned that the songs he had debuted at South by Southwest in 2010 would not be on Soul Punk, but would still receive a "proper release", which is now known to be Truant Wave.
He released a "Spotlight (New Regrets)" 7" vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
through his Nervous Breakdance Media label, which was his label's first release. It was yellow and limited to a 500 pressings, featuring "Spotlight (New Regrets)" and "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" as a Double A-side. It was available through his online store. A music video has been released for the "Oh Nostalgia" version. "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" was featured in The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a young adult vampire horror series of novels written by L. J. Smith. The story centers around Elena Gilbert, a high school girl torn between two vampire brothers. The series was originally a trilogy published in 1991, but pressure from readers led Smith to write a fourth...
in the Episode: "The Last Dance".
Stump has unveiled a video of him performing "Spotlight (New Regrets)" live on his redesigned website as of December 20, after both "Spotlight" versions cracked 100,000 YouTube views the nights before. The clip features Patrick Stump simultaneously singing and playing multiple instruments, including an electric drum and a synthesizer, in his studio. In the clip's title, he called himself a "one man band".
On May 6, 2011, Stump updated his website and also posted to his Facebook and Twitter, announcing "I feel like I'm gonna explode 5.9.11" with a link which lead to a video called "Tsar bomba", which was a video of a bomb explosion. The "I feel like I'm gonna explode" phrase came from a song called "Explode", which Stump had premiered at a live show. A new song, titled "Explode" was revealed on May 9, 2011, with a message, "Listen to "Explode" off of my upcoming album Soul Punk on Vulture". Vulture was the website that Stump released the song to. NyMag.com commented that the song is "heavily indebted to Michael Jackson and, in good news for FOB loyalists, not totally unlike Stump's old band". The song's video caption read "Soul Punk: coming late Summer", which is Stump's first official announcement to the public regarding Soul Punks release date. ""Explode" features Stump’s unique, unmistakable vocals and the clever wordplay that was used to be expected from Pete Wentz," Idolator
Idolator (website)
Idolator is a music blog. Created by the blog network Gawker Media in August 2006, Idolator was later sold to rival blog network Buzz Media, which also owns music blog Stereogum. From the 2007 departure of original head writer Brian Raftery until November 2009, the blog's head writer was Maura...
favourably reported. "In addition to kinship with previous tracks from Fall Out Boy, there’s a little Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
flavor in here, too."
On June 27 2011, Stump wrote on his Facebook and Twitter page, "Tuesday". The next day (the Tuesday he was referring to) on June 28, 2011 Stump premiered remix of his Soul Punk track "This City" which features rapper and fellow Chicagoan Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
. The remix was released to digital outlets on July 26, 2011 as the albums first single. The original album version will be released on Soul Punk. Stump said his relationship with the rapper goes back several years. "Before Food & Liquor came out he and I were talking about working on something together. I ended up producing the song "Little Weapon" for his The Cool record," he said. "I actually wrote the hook for "This City" with him in mind before I decided to use it for Soul Punk, so when the label asked me if I'd be interested in doing a remix with an MC he was the only real way I'd say yes." He also added "I'm kind of pop but a little left of center, It sounds kind of like it makes sense on the radio but at the same time doesn't at all. It's very me." Becky Bain of Idolator commented on the song's "full-on R&B mode [...] pop-synth explosion" and noted that the "catchy tune [is] more soul than punk". A music video has been made for it and it premiered on Vevo on September 20.
With a few days' lead up on Twitter, Stump announced the release date of October 18, 2011 for Soul Punk and again updated his website.
Stump revealed the cover art on September 7. It was done by Aakash Nihalani, whom also did the art for Truant Wave. Soon after, Stump announced the track listing and a deluxe edition with four additional tracks. The remix of "This City" will be included as a bonus track on both versions of the album as part of his label's idea. iTunes' album preorders started on September 27 as well as physical CD preorders from Stump's webstore. There are two options on Stump's online store: a package with a deluxe edition CD with a lithograph by Roland Tamayo is available and limited to 1000 units, of which the first 250 signed by Stump and Tamayo, or a stand alone deluxe edition CD. Anyone who preorders from his webstore will be entered into a contest where he will record a custom-made version of "Allie" for 20 random people with their name throughout the song. To mark 100,000 fans on Facebook, Stump leaked "Allie" onto the internet. Days before the disc was released, he put it up for free streaming in its entirety on Rolling Stone.
Musicianship
Patrick Stump played all the instruments on Soul Punk, including drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, piano, analog synths, percussion, trumpet, valve trombone, alto and tenor saxophones, mandolin, guitalele, and manipulating various found sounds and ambient noises. He also composed all the music, penned all the lyrics, produced the album and did absolutely everything by himself. He wanted to make an album that was entirely him and made it a mission statement. On the recording of Soul Punk, he used a GretschGretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
Stump-O-Matic signature guitar with white and silver stripes, a color change to the one he has played with Fall Out Boy.
"When it comes to pop music, there's this perception that all you have to do is press a button on your iPad [to get the sounds] but I wanted to make it with love and put a lot into it. A lot of people asked, 'Where did you get the drum sounds?' I played them. 'What synth plug-in was that?' I played all the synths. 'How'd you get that bass tone?' It's a bass. I really wanted to put in the effort, even if people might not notice."
Release
The album was tentatively scheduled for release in February 2011, with Stump saying in November 2010, "the album should be out in February [2011] and as can be inferred from the long delay, it's changed dramatically from the album I alluded to a year ago [...] As for the delay of the album itself, I'd say it's been less about the music or recording and more about all the other things that finish the thought, I just want to make sure I go to sleep at night knowing I'm not half-assing this." However, in February 2011 there was no Soul Punk lead up, and instead Stump's debut EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Truant Wave
Truant Wave
Truant Wave is the debut studio EP by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump, member of Fall Out Boy. It was first released as a digital download exclusive to iTunes, on February 22, 2011 through Nervous Breakdance Media, Stump's own record label, before becoming available from all online...
was released on February 22 after being first announced the week before, with no promotion or lead up. In an interview with Buzznet in April 2011, Stump said "It's not in stone, but I'm hearing late July [2011] for Soul Punk". "Explode", a Soul Punk song Stump uploaded to YouTube had its captions as: "Soul Punk: coming late Summer." In addition, Amazon has stated a release date of September 13. An advanced album review by Alternative Press magazine reported a release date of July 26, 2011. However, Patrick Stump did not confirm or announce this date, contrary to rumor. A remix of the Soul Punk track "This City
This City
"This City" is a song by American singer and songwriter Patrick Stump from his debut solo album Soul Punk . A remix featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco was released as the album's first single...
" was released to iTunes on July 26, with Stump Tweeting, "contrary to rumor, Soul Punk's not coming out July 26th. "This City" will be released on itunes that day." An article by Universal Music stated an October 2011 release in the US and September 19 internationally. In a radio interview Stump commented that it was up to the label, hearing a possible September 2011 release. On July 18 he Tweeted, "I will announce a release date as soon as I know it. Until then, it's all just rumors," and followed it up the next day with "I don't control the release date." At that time, Stump did not confirm any release dates for Soul Punk, contrary to misconception with many release dates spreading around the internet. On July 25, Patrick Stump officially announced a set release date of October 18, 2011.
Critical reception
The album has mixed reception from critics with general acclaim for Stump playing all the instruments on the record himself, but division over the "Soul Punk" genre. Annie Zaleski, writing for Alternative Press, in a positive four-star out of five review, called the album a "brave, bold statement" and said the album's "pop sensibilities, clever phrasing and tight grooves will please fans." Alter The Press! described it as a "beautiful blend of 80s inspired electro R'n'B with a refreshing moral undercurrent." Chris Droney of Glasswerk was also positive of the album, writing that Soul Punk "hit every expectation with a deafening wallop" and that it deserves "more recognition than most" of the chart music present today. Musical reviewer Diminuendo gave much praise to the album, recognizing that the "lyric work draws an apparent inspiration from former band mate, Pete Wentz' hateful poetry," and that the mixture of dance-pop and self-deprivation "made you queasy as much as get sleezy." Diminuendo gave Soul Punk a 9 out of 11, as one might find on an amplifying attenuator. Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
gave the album three and a half out of five stars, saying that "Stump is an excellent, nimble singer, but it's his songwriting that makes this one of the most irrefutably catchy albums of 2011."
Promotion
Patrick Stump uploaded a video to YouTube featuring him singing a capella versions of the five songs nominated for Record of the Year at the 2011 Grammys to a backing track he made himself; which he posted on YouTube on January 19, 2011. "I guess I decided to do the a cappella thing 'cause I've been put down as a musician a few times as 'just a singer,' and I wanted to kind of see how much [of] a musician I could be with just my voice," Stump wrote in an e-mail to MTV News. The YouTube trending video is notable for fans for Patrick Stump's facial expressions and expressive style of singing.Stump has also performed an a capella cover of John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
's "Green Light
Green Light (John Legend song)
"Green Light" is the first single from John Legend's album Evolver. The song is produced by Malay and KP and features André 3000 of OutKast. The song was released as a single download on July 29, 2008....
" and a Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
a capella tribute. Stump recorded himself singing a mash-up of Jackson hits, blending "Billie Jean
Billie Jean
"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and...
", "Scream
Scream/Childhood
"Scream"/"Childhood" is the lead single from Michael Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I where "Scream" is the first song and "Childhood" is the tenth song on the second disc of the album HIStory Continues. The A-side, "Scream", is a duet with his younger sister...
", "Man in the Mirror
Man in the Mirror
"Man in the Mirror" is a song recorded by Michael Jackson and written and composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. It peaked at number one in the United States when released as a single in January 1988 off his seventh solo album, Bad. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs and...
," "Thriller
Thriller (song)
"Thriller" is a song recorded by American recording artist Michael Jackson, composed by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album Thriller. It was released on January 23, 1984 by Epic Records...
" and other Jackson songs over pre-recorded backing vocals. In October, for the lead up to the album release, Stump released an a capella of "Everybody Here Wants You" by Jeff Buckley and then a new jack swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
tribute a capella mash-up of Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It", Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step", Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison" and Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly".
On 4 February 2011, Patrick Stump performed a live acoustic set for Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
. The live session featured songs which were later released on Truant Wave, notably "As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid", "Love Selfish Love" and "Spotlight". In addition, Stump also played a cover of "Step Right Up" by Tom Waits
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
. Stump performed while playing an acoustic guitar, with the exception of "Step Right Up" in which he had a partner, Matt Rubano (formerly of Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell ....
) playing the bass guitar; who is also the bassist in Stump's backing band for live shows. While he had intended to play the bass himself, Stump was unable to work the drum machine at the rear of the room which he had purchased the previous day. He was forced to compensate for this by clicking his fingers to the beat. In saying "you've got full on acoustic today because of that", Stump suggests that he had intended for drum beats to be playing for each of his previous songs.
Tour
Stump has played a residency around the United States in cities including Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Boston in support of Soul Punk and Truant Wave in early 2011. On Bruno MarsBruno Mars
Peter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
and Janelle Monae
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is an American R&B/soul musician signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records.Monáe debuted with a conceptual EP, Metropolis: Suite I ...
's Hoologans in Wonderland tour he opened for four shows, and finished his second US tour (first full-length headlining tour), beginning on August 3, 2011 and ending September 3, with supporting acts Wynter Gordon
Wynter Gordon
Diana "Wynter" Gordon is an American pop/dance singer-songwriter. She began as a writer for other artists, later signing with Atlantic Records where she began working on an album while continuing to write songs for other acts and providing vocals on songs...
and John West. He also played at music festivals in Chicago (Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
) and Japan (Fuji Rock Festival
Fuji Rock Festival
Fuji Rock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Naeba Ski Resort, in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The 3 day event, organized by Smash Japan, features more than 200 Japanese and international musicians, making it the largest outdoor music event in Japan...
). Stump supported Panic! At The Disco
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
on their month-long US fall tour, during which he also held some of his own gigs, including headlining the Metro in Chicago, as well playing at various promotional events and radio sponsored shows. To further promote Soul Punk, Stump has an extensive interview schedule and has made TV appearances on Good Morning New Orleans and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that initially aired from May 25, 1992 to May 29, 2009, and resumed production on March 1, 2010. The fourth incarnation of the Tonight Show franchise made its debut on May 25, 1992, three days following Johnny...
.
Track listing
All songs written, composed, produced, and performed by Patrick StumpPatrick Stump
Patrick Vaughn Stump is an American singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, and music critic. He is the composer, lead singer, and multi-instrumentalist of Fall Out Boy, an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, and is also a solo artist...
, except on "This City" remix bonus track.
1"Cryptozoology" is a hidden track
Hidden track
In the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
, beginning right after "Run Dry (X Heart X Fingers)" and may be considered as a run-on second part of "Run Dry."
2The remix of "This City" is a bonus track and is not a part of the album's actual sequencing.
- Inside of the album's lyric booklet, contained within the lyrics of every song in the standard album are white letters scattered throughout the words. If these letters are put together chronologically, they form a sort of "message". It reads: "Fear is killing us, but true love can survive. If we cooperate, we can beat doubt. But first, rebuild trust. Take responsibility. Happiness is still free, though not always apparent when it's right in front of us. So keep calm, it's gonna get better."