Zella Day (EP)

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Zella Day
A woman wearing a long, pastel yellow dress with mild yellow stripes, with her eyes closed, standing in front of woods.
Standard cover
EP by
Zella Day
ReleasedOctober 21, 2014
RecordedOctober 2013 – 2014
Studio
  • Wax Ltd Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Blueprint Studios (Los Angeles)
  • RPD Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length12:30
Label
  • B3SCI
  • Pinetop
Producer
Zella Day chronology
Cynics vs. Dreamers
(2012) 		Zella Day
(2014) 		Kicker
(2015)
Alternative cover
Limited edition 10" vinyl cover
Limited edition 10" vinyl cover
Singles from Zella Day
  1. "Sweet Ophelia"
    Released: April 7, 2014
  2. "East of Eden"
    Released: June 27, 2014
  3. "Compass"
    Released: August 14, 2014

Zella Day is the eponymous second extended play by American singer-songwriter Zella Day. It was released on October 21, 2014, through B3SCI Records and Pinetop Records. Production was mostly handled by Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax Ltd, and features production from Blueprint.

The lead single, “Sweet Ophelia”, with “1965” as its B-side, was released on April 7, 2014. “Hypnotic”, an EP track, peaked at number 25 on the US Adult Alternative Airplay,[1] alongside peaking at number 28 on the US Adult Top 40.[2] The EP peaked at number 16 on the US Heatseekers Albums.[3]

Background and development[edit]

In 2011, Day secured a production agreement with Wax Ltd.[4][5] They collaborated to produce her debut EP, Cynics vs. Dreamers. It was self-released digitally on May 23, 2012. In early 2012, Day secured a joint record agreement with B3SCI Records and Pinetop Records.[6] On June 14, 2012, Day released her cover of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army".[7] In October 2013, "Sweet Ophelia" and "East of Eden" were written.[8][9] In a May 2014 interview with AMBY, Day announced that there was an EP "in the works", and that she was "in the studio every day... tightening up the mixes and they are so close to ready." She gave a release date of summer 2014.[10] Two months later, in an interview with Turntable Kitchen and Earmilk, Day initially announced the EP would be released in August,[11] and also stated that she was “working on a full-length album, which I’m planning on having out next year."[8] The development would eventually be released as her major-label debut. The EP was delayed, and on September 12, 2014, she officially announced the release date and cover art on social media.[12]

Composition[edit]

Zella Day consists of four tracks, and is described as a pop[13] and electropop[14] record. Songs on the EP were written by Day herself, Bonnie Baker, Julia Michaels, Nick Bailey, Ryan Ogren, and Wax Ltd.

The pop[15] song, "Hypnotic", commences Zella Day. The song discusses "the loss of power through physicality in a new relationship."[16] The song was inspired by her life experiences after she moved to Los Angeles.[17] The song is characterized as a "surreal spine-chiller",[18] "potent", "breathy", with "tantalizing vocals",[19] supported by an "offbeat rhythm".[13][19] "Sweet Ophelia" is a synth-pop[20] song that describes the experience of a person with whom she lost her virginity, who had already moved on to someone else.[6] The song features a "colossal drum machine beat",[20] "stomping percussion and smoky coos",[21] and melancholic vocals.[22] "Compass" is a powerful ballad,[23][24] with light, springy keys and subtle percussion.[24] Day describes it as “an ode to her love for her home-state Arizona.”[24] Zella Day concludes with the "electropop"[25] and "pop-dubstep anthem",[14] "East of Eden". Inspired by the John Steinbeck novel of the same name, the song features an "[upbeat] subtle ebb and flow".[26]

Promotion[edit]

The lead single, "Sweet Ophelia" was released digitally on April 7, 2014,[27] alongside a 7" LP release with "1965" as a B-side.[9] The song premiered on Noisey.[28] A music video for "Sweet Ophelia" was released to support the single. KCRW premiered the second single, "East of Eden", two days before its official release.[25] It was released on June 27, 2014.[26] The third single, "Compass", was released on August 14, 2014,[29][24] and premiered on The405.[30] "Hypnotic" served as the lead single to her major-label debut, Kicker. Day debuted the EP live at CMJ on October 23 & 25, 2014.[31]

Packaging and artwork[edit]

The standard cover features Day standing in front of a forest during spring with a teal-colored sky, while wearing a mustard yellow dress with vibrant yellow patterns. In addition to digital release, the record was released on compact disc.[32] The standard CD is presented in a jewel case, with a mustard yellow CD inside. The CD is accompanied with a page of personnel that have contributed to the EP.[33] Alongside compact disc, an exclusive, limited edition 10" LP, with a decorative swirl press was released. The LP is presented in a gatefold,[34] and includes a lyric sheet of all four tracks.[35] The release featured an alternative cover of Day standing while wearing a pink Panama hat, pink leather jacket, and pink leggings in front of an oval mustard yellow background with pink flowers surrounding it, alongside a different track listing order. It also featured a high-quality download code to listen to the record digitally. Only 200 copies were produced.[36]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Sputnikmusic4/5

Sputnikmusic gave Zella Day 4 out of 5 stars, and expands their review by stating, "On Zella Day, hazy and dreamlike atmospheres intertwine with exploding pop-based melodies to form something that is absolutely mesmerizing." They also comment, "Each of the songs present on Zella Day prove something different about her style and potential as an artist." In addition, they state, "Zella Day is sprinkled with sweet little moments, and it’s exactly why anyone who listens to this EP in its entirety will fall in love with her immediately."[13]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks were produced by Wax Ltd, except where noted.

Zella Day – Standard edition[37]
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."Hypnotic"
2:59
2."Sweet Ophelia"
 3:10
3."Compass"
 3:16
4."East of Eden"
 3:05
Total length:12:30
Zella Day – 10" LP[38]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
2."East of Eden"
  • Day
  • Baker
  • Barry
  • Gagel
3:05
4."Sweet Ophelia"
  • Day
  • Barry
  • Gagel
3:10
Total length:12:30

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes.[39]

Performance credits

Instruments

  • Zella Day – guitar (tracks 1, 4)
  • Xandy Barry – keyboard (all tracks); guitar (tracks 1–2); horn arrangement (track 2); piano, string arrangement (track 3)
  • Wally Gagel – keyboard (all tracks); guitar (track 2, 4); kalimba (track 2)
  • Ryan Ogren – keyboard, guitar (track 1)
  • Kiel Feher – drums, percussion (track 4)

Production

  • Wax Ltd – production
    • Xandy Barry – mixer, recording engineer, programmer
    • Wally Gagel – mixer, recording engineer, programmer
  • Brian Blake – recording assistant
  • Howie Weinburg – mastering engineer
  • Blueprint – production, engineer (track 1)
  • Ryan Orgen – programmer (track 1)
  • Ryan Perez-Daple – engineer (track 3)

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for Zella Day
Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [3] 16

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for Zella Day
Region Date Label Format Ref.
Various October 21, 2014 Pinetop Digital download [12]
United States
  • B3SCI
  • Pinetop
  • Digital download
  • LP
 [40][41]
Canada
  • CD
  • Digital download
 [39]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Zella Day - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. April 11, 2015. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "Zella Day - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Zella Day - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. November 8, 2014. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Spencer, Roy (October 31, 2014). "Wax Ltd: the sound of East LA". MusicRadar. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "Zella Day Talks Debut LP 'Kicker,' Accepting Her Roots & Mickey, The White Horse: Idolator Interview". Idolator. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Visco, Gerry (October 7, 2014). "In the Life of Zella Day". Interview. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Seven Nation Army, June 14, 2012, retrieved April 26, 2023
  8. ^ a b Brandt, Andrew (July 21, 2014). "An Interview With Zella Day". Turntable Kitchen. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Zella Day - Sweet Ophelia / 1965, by Zella Day". Zella Day. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Atout, Alicia (May 5, 2014). "Gimme Your Answers: An Interview w/ Zella Day – Alicia Atout". A Music Blog, Yea. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Fuentes, Paige (July 4, 2014). "Why should you get to know Zella Day? [Interview]". Earmilk. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Day, Zella (September 9, 2014). "EP is out October 21st via B3SCI/Pinetop Records 📀". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c "Review: Zella Day - Zella Day | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. October 22, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Kaufman, Julia (October 9, 2014). "Zella Day, "Zella Day" (B3SCI/Pinetop)". WVAU. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "13 New Artists to Check Out at CMJ 2014". Complex. October 20, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  16. ^ Cesarine, Indira (April 21, 2016). "ZELLA DAY ON APACHE INFLUENCES AND PERFORMING AT COACHELLA - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | THE UNTITLED MAGAZINE". Untitled Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  17. ^ Lynn, Logan (February 9, 2015). "Sweet Ophelia: An Interview With Musician Zella Day". HuffPost. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  18. ^ Farrell, Margaret (February 27, 2015). "Zella Day Encounters Dark Love In New 'Hypnotic' Video". Spin. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Germann, Ethan (2015-10-21). "Join in on the Obsession with Zella Day's "Hypnotic"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  20. ^ a b Putnam, Jon (April 7, 2014). "Watch Zella Day's "Sweet Ophelia" at Best Fit". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Williot, Carl (April 8, 2014). "Zella Day Debuts With The Enchanting "Sweet Ophelia": Listen". Idolator. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  22. ^ Murray, Robin (June 6, 2014). "Premiere: Zella Day - Sweet Ophelia (Dntel Remix)". Clash. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  23. ^ Rodrigues, Chenae (August 14, 2014). "Zella Day - Compass | New Music". CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HER. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d Hickey, Matthew (August 15, 2014). "Single Serving: Zella Day - Compass". Turntable Kitchen. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Reynolds, Rachel (June 25, 2014). "Zella Day: Local Artist We Love". KCRW. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Hickey, Matthew (June 27, 2014). "Single Serving: Zella Day - East of Eden". Turntable Kitchen. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  27. ^ Panisch, Alex (April 9, 2014). "WATCH: Zella Day Blooms In 'Sweet Ophelia'". Out. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  28. ^ Noisey Staff (April 7, 2014). "Zella Day's Video for "Sweet Ophelia" Is Perfect Springtime Pop". Vice. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  29. ^ Day, Zella (August 14, 2014). "Zella Day - Compass". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  30. ^ Day, Zella (August 14, 2014). "I'm giving a new song to the world. Heres "Compass" for you & your ears premiered on @The405". Twitter. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  31. ^ "Talkin' About Jane Birkin & CMJ: An Interview With Zella Day". Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  32. ^ Zella Day - Zella Day EP, retrieved April 16, 2023
  33. ^ Zella Day - Zella Day, retrieved April 16, 2023
  34. ^ "ZELLA-DAY-EP-Release-10.21.14" (PDF). Hollywood Records. October 21, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  35. ^ Day, Zella (October 17, 2014). "Inside folds #lyrics". Twitter. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  36. ^ Zella Day - Zella Day EP, retrieved April 26, 2023
  37. ^ Zella Day EP (CD liner notes). Pinetop. 2014. BVPR004932.
  38. ^ Zella Day EP (LP liner notes). Pinetop. 2014. B3SR 007 - A.
  39. ^ a b Zella Day (2014). Zella Day (CD liner notes). B3SCI Records, Pinetop Records, Universal Music Group. 050087318116.
  40. ^ "Zella Day EP, by Zella Day". Zella Day. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  41. ^ "Release group "Zella Day" by Zella Day - MusicBrainz". Musicbrainz. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
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