High Expectations


High Expectations is the debut studio album by British singer and songwriter Mabel, released on 2 August 2019 internationally by Polydor Records and in the United States by Capitol Records and Universal. Mabel worked with writers and producers such as Tre Jean-Marie, Steve Mac and MNEK to create the album, with its music incorporating genres of pop and R&B.
Two singles and one promotional single were released from the album. Its lead single, "Don't Call Me Up", was released in January 2019 and was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in several countries and receiving a platinum certification in the United Kingdom. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Mabel's highest charting single and her second top 10 single. "Mad Love" was released as the second single from the album, and also performed well on charts internationally. The song peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom, becoming her third top 10 single. A promotional single, "Bad Behaviour", was released with an accompanying music video on 23 July 2019. In order to promote the album, Mabel announced the High Expectations Tour, consisting of 24 shows in Europe and commencing in January 2020.
Upon its release, High Expectations received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented its production and the singer's vocals. The album was also a success commercially, debuting at number three on the UK Albums Chart and at number five on the Irish Albums Chart.

Background

In October 2017, Mabel released her debut mixtape, Ivy to Roses. Its lead single, "Finders Keepers", peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart and became her first top ten single. The mixtape was then reissued in January 2019, with six singles released subsequent to the original release featuring, as well as its next single "Don't Call Me Up". Her debut album, High Expectations, was announced on 18 April of the same year, with a scheduled release date of 12 July. The release date was later moved to 2 August.

Singles

The album's first single, "Don't Call Me Up", was released on 18 January 2019. It was initially included on the 2019 reissue of Ivy to Roses. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks, making it Mabel's highest charting single in the UK. It became her international mainstream breakthrough, charting in the top 10 in over 20 other countries including Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway where it reached the top three. The track also became the singer's first US Billboard Hot 100 chart entry where it rose to number 66.
"Mad Love" was released as the second single on 7 June 2019. It became Mabel's third UK top-10 single, peaking at number eight, and her second top-10 single in Ireland where it reached number six.
"OK " was positioned as the album's third single, being released alongside the album. The song received a music video, directed by Jade Jackman which premiered on Dazed on 16 August 2019.
"God Is a Dancer" with Tiesto and "Boyfriend" are both featured on the digital & streaming versions of the album, therefore serving as its fourth and fifth singles.

Promotional singles

The album's first promotional single, "Bad Behaviour", was released on 23 July 2019 along with a music video directed by Oliver Kane. The track debuted at number 94 on the UK Singles Chart.

Critical reception

High Expectations received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 61, based on 10 reviews. Reviewing the album for musicOMH, Ben Devlin hailed it as "a convincing display of versatility and quality songwriting that firmly establishes Mabel as a force to be reckoned with in UK pop", while Chris Taylor of DIY regarded it as "effortlessly cool" with "no faux-earnestness". Q magazine's Laura Barton called the album "highly polished" and said the singer "perfected the art of writing songs that even on first listen sound totally ubiquitous". In NME, Hannah Mylrea wrote that Mabel's "gorgeous silky vocals soar, the glossy production is stellar, but the exuberance and effervescent attitude that make tunes like 'Don't Call Me Up' so brilliant aren't found throughout."
Andrew Wright of The Skinny argued that the singer found her individual identity with High Expectations which he described as well-rounded despite "some over-zealous Top 40 attempts". Conversely, Joe Hale of Clash found it "almost too airbrushed, with Mabel playing it a little too safe to qualify being described as wholly original or progressive", but concluded that it had "some real highlights" and "moments of talent and flair". Despite finding the album strong and well-crafted, The Guardians Alexis Petridis also believed it lacked personality and only "occasionally hints its maker might be more interesting and individual". Kitty Empire was more critical in The Observer, writing, "High Expectations is just disappointingly all right, lacking any playfulness, or top spin, or a sense of who Mabel is," while Uncut critic Johnny Sharp commented, "Despite some pleasant enough tunes, she lacks the vocal charisma to stand out from other wannabe Rihannas, Mileys and Dua Lipas." Mick Jacobs of PopMatters concluded, "Though sung in a beautiful, agile voice, the album's contents lack any innovation that truly set them apart, even amongst themselves."

Commercial performance

High Expectations debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart, behind Ed Sheeran's No.6 Collaborations Project and Lewis Capaldi's Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, with first-week sales of 9,761 album-equivalent units. It dropped to number 10 in its second week with sales of 4,184 units. On the Irish Albums Chart, it bowed at number five, the highest new entry for the chart dated 9 August 2019. The album also debuted in the top 40 in Norway and Switzerland. In the US, High Expectations entered at number 198 on the Billboard 200. Hugh McIntyre of Forbes cited its debut as "a prime example of how the UK and the US music industries can be drastically different".

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.
;Notes
Credits for High Expectations adapted from Allmusic.

Performers and vocals

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

''High Expectations... Stripped''

High Expectations... Stripped is an acoustic version of the album recorded by Mabel at her home studio during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The album is was released released on 31 July 2020.
Mabel announced the album on 28 July 2020, saying "this year turned everyone's plans sideways and I’ve been using the time in my home studio to record an acoustic version of every track. Something a bit more intimate from me".

Track listing