Angel (Halle Bailey song)
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| "Angel" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Halle | ||||
| Released | August 4, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:39 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Feemster | |||
| Halle singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Angel" on YouTube | ||||
"Angel" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter Halle. The song was released on August 4, 2023, as the lead single from her upcoming debut studio album.[1][2] The song was nominated at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song.[3]
Background and release[edit]
Halle first teased her solo song on December 31, 2022, for Genius.com through her Instagram Stories. She posted a clip from the studio, where she sang along to the dreamy instrumental on the track.[4] On July 31, 2023, Halle posted a short clip for “Angel” to her YouTube channel and social media, which featured a montage of childhood home videos and clips of recent solo performances set to the track's instrumental. The teaser closed with the quote, “Angels make a way somehow.”[5][6]
Composition[edit]
The song was produced by Theron “NeffU” Feemster and features R&B and gospel sounds.[7] Halle explained the meaning of the song and its writing process:[8]
"With everything I’ve gone through the past 3-4 years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was. This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and Black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song".
Reception[edit]
"Angel" was met with critical acclaim. Clash's writer Robin Murray defined the song as a "gorgeous R&B ballad" with "emotive piece of music", making "full use of her incredible voice with its subtle rises, and stunning falls".[9] Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx wrote that the singer "reflects on growing up in the spotlight", singing "over a piano-and-string-driven ballad" in which "she rises above the heartache, and encourages others to follow".[10]
In a review of the song, HotNewHipHop found that "Neffu’s bridges together Halle’s powerful vocal performance with ghostly harps, setting up the song for a steely build-up that emotionally unloads at its peak", pointing out that it focused "more insight into her personality" and showed "where she and her sister, Chloe, differ musically" [11] Shelby Stewart of Essence wrote that the production of the song infused "R&B and gospel with cinematic elements" defining the singer's vocals "mesmerizing", which "passionately delivers lyrics". The writer described the song as "an anthem to affirm women and a note to self that her work matters, and holds value".[7]
Music video[edit]
The music video for "Angel”, directed by Wendy Morgan, premiered via the singer YouTube channel on YouTube at the same time of the song's release.[12][13]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Israel (Media Forest)[14] | 16 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 13 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] | 21 |
| US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] | 23 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs (Billboard)[18] | 6 |
References[edit]
- ^ Helfand, Raphael (4 August 2023). "Listen to Halle Bailey's debut solo single". The Fader. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (3 August 2023). "Halle Bailey to release her debut solo single 'Angel' this week". NME. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Grammy Awards 2024: The Full List of Nominees". The New York Times. 10 November 2023. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ^ Olson, Samantha (4 August 2023). "Halle Details the Beauty of Growing Up as a Black Girl in Her First Solo Song, "Angel"". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Denis, Kyle (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Unveils Debut Solo Single 'Angel': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (1 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Teases New 'Angel' Project". Clash. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b Stewart, Shelby (4 August 2023). "Rising Star Halle Bailey Releases Debut Solo Single 'Angel'". Essence. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Delgado, Sara; McNab, Kaitlyn (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Makes Her Solo Debut With Uplifting Single "Angel"". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Shares Moving Solo Debut 'Angel' | News". Clash. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Shares 'Angel,' Her Debut Solo Single". UPROXX. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Halle Unveils New Solo Single "Angel"". HotNewHipHop. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Pierre, Mekishana (4 August 2023). "Halle Bailey Releases Heavenly Music Video for Empowering Debut Solo Single 'Angel'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Rizzo, Carita (4 August 2023). "Watch Halle Bailey's Heavenly Video for Debut Solo Single 'Angel'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Media Forest charts". Media Forest. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Halle Bailey Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Halle Bailey Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales: Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 15 September 2023.