Strip Me | ||||
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North American edition cover
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Studio album by Natasha Bedingfield | ||||
Released | 7 December 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2008–2010 | |||
Studio |
Various
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Genre | ||||
Length |
48:59 (Strip Me) 56:04 (Strip Me Away) |
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Label | Phonogenic | |||
Producer |
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Natasha Bedingfield chronology | ||||
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Singles from Strip Me | ||||
Strip Me Away | ||||
European edition cover
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Singles from Strip Me Away | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 60/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
California Chronicle | |
Entertainment Weekly | (C) |
Rolling Stone | |
Slant Magazine |
Strip Me is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. Originally due for release on 9 November 2010, the album's release was pushed back to 7 December 2010 through Phonogenic Records. "Touch" was released as the first single from the album on 18 May 2010, while the title track title song was released as the second single on 31 August 2010.
Neither of the album's singles were particularly successful on the US Billboard charts, although the album's title song enjoyed some success on the adult contemporary format, where it peaked at number twenty-three. Critical response to the album was generally mixed, with critics praising Strip Me's polished production, but stating that Bedingfield failed to deliver anything different or outstanding. The album debuted at number 103 on US Billboard 200 with 10,000 copies sold, a significant drop compared to her previous album, which debuted at number three, and sold five times as many copies.
In Europe, Strip Me was released in May 2011 under the title Strip Me Away, with more colorful artwork and an expanded list of tracks. It charted only in Germany and Switzerland.
Bedingfield finished recording the album in July 2010. The project's title was unveiled through Bedingfield's official Twitter page on 15 July 2010. She described the album as "be[ing] the next level from what I've already done....It's just more vibrant and exciting. And I can't wait for people to hear it." In an interview with Billboard, Bedingfield said:
"I've titled the album Strip Me because its about stripping down who we are as humans. We're united about our needs, our desires and our pain, all the different things we go through together. Strip Me felt like it explains what the songs are about more than any other title I could think of. So it has a double meaning, but I think people kind of know me enough to know what I mean by it.
The thirteen-track standard edition, the twenty-one track deluxe edition and pre-order bonus track editions of the album were compiled from more than 50 songs which Bedingfield had written since touring. In an interview with PopEater she said "I've been touring for so many years now that I wrote with my live gigs in mind. I wanted to write anthems that people could sing along to – things that were still personal, but definitely trying to find the best way to connect with people." On the album she worked with Andreas Kleerup, John Hill, Wyclef Jean, Salaam Remi, Ryan Tedder, Jonas Myrin, Eg White and Sia Furler. None of the songs worked on with Jean, Remi or Furler made the final track listing, although all of the songs on the final track list were co-written by Bedingfield. Additionally Idolator revealed that Bedingfield had recorded a Ne-Yo-assisted duet titled "The Little Things", which was produced by StarGate, though it was not included on the final pressing either. Bedingfield told fans in December 2010, via a recorded video message, that the album could be released elsewhere in the world later on but for the near present she was focusing on America.