Before I Sleep is the debut studio album from British singer-songwriter Bo Bruce, released on 29 April 2013. The lead single from the album is titled Save Me, which was released on the same day as the album.At Last The Time Has Come! Unknown (25-02-2013). Retrieved (25-02-2013). The album peaked at number 6 in the Official Charts midweek UK Albums Chart on 1 May 2013Rudimental's Home set to debut at the top of the Official Albums Chart Official Charts (01-05-2013). Retrieved (01-05-2013). and charted at number 10 on the Official UK Top 40 Album Chart, on 5 May 2013.THE OFFICIAL UK TOP 40 ALBUMS CHART Radio 1 (05-05-2013). Retrieved (05-05-2013).

Background Before I Sleep is the follow-up to Bruce's independently released 2010 extended play (EP), titled Search The Night, which peaked at number two on the iTunes chart in June 2012. The album also marks Bruce's first release on a major record label. Bo commented of the writing process "The process of making this album has been extraordinary. It's also been the hardest and most testing time of my life. But I’ve made an album I'm incredibly proud of and I can't wait for people to hear it."The Voice's Bo Bruce releases video for new single, Save Me… Heatworld (11-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013).

The release features a number of collaborations, including Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol,Bo Bruce offers free download of 'The Fall' MusicNews.com (13-12-2012). Retrieved (02-02-2013). Sia, Greg Kurstin, Henry Binns of Zero 7, Joel Pott of Athlete and the second single co-written with former The Voice UK mentor Danny O'Donoghue, entitled 'Alive'.Interview: Bo Bruce The Cut (20-12-2012). Retrieved (01-02-2013).Bo Bruce - An Introduction To 'Before I Sleep' YouTube (27-02-2013). Retrieved (28-02-2013).WATCH: 'The Voice' Contestant Bo Bruce Debuts Video 'Save Me' Ahead Of New Album - Is She The Show's Real Winner? Huffington Post (11-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013) The album features several producers, including Tom Marsh, who worked on Bo's previous release Search The Night and James Flannigan.Bo Bruce Announces Debut Album 'Before I Sleep' Released April 29th 2013 Contact Music. Retrieved (01-04-2013).

It was announced that "Save Me" would be the first track from the album to be released as a single, which was released on the same day as the album. The track was written by Bruce, Shelly Poole and Matt Schwartz.New Video | Bo Bruce – Save Me Punch Bowl Blog (11-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013).

The second single from the album has been confirmed as "Alive", which is due for release in June 2013. The track was co-written by Bruce, Danny O'Donoghue and James Barry.

The artwork for the album was shot by photographer Eliot Lee Hazel, with Bruce describing his work as "gritty, cinematic and raw". Bruce also credits Hazel with helping to select the location for the video shoot for lead single "Save Me".Planet Notion - Moodboard: Bo Bruce Planet Notion (Unknown Date). Retrieved (01-04-2013).

Reception

The release has also received largely positive reviews from critics, based on the album sampler and previews. Contact Music stated of the release, "we've already had a taste of what to expect with free download 'The Fall', with its breathtaking video. Album highlights include the stunning first single 'Save Me'; 'The Hands I Hold', a soaring, anthemic classic and the perky, panoramic 'Over & Over' - all driven by Bo's captivating voice."Bo Bruce Announces Debut Album 'Before I Sleep' Released April 29th 2013 Contact Music (Unknown Date). Retrieved (01-04-2013).

On 26 April 2013 The Daily Mirror highlighted Before I Sleep as the "stand out album" of the week and awarded it a 3 star rating, with Gavin Martin commenting that the release was a "thoughtful, sensual work" and that Bruce's voice "has striking intimacy and character". Will Hodgkinson reviewed the album for The Times and gave a further of 3 out of 5 star rating, stating "you don't doubt the authenticity of feeling in Bruce's voice" and further commenting of Bruce's voice "shifting from quiver to whisper against tribal drums, keyboard melodies and backing choirs" on the release. The Guardian also gave the album a rating of 3 stars.

On 28 April 2013, the day before its release, The Daily Mirror featured Before I Sleep as the "must listen" release on that week's Hotlist. On 30 April 2013, New! gave the album a four star rating and voted it as "album of the week", stating that Before I Sleep was "an impressive, dramatic debut".

Singles "Save Me" is the lead single from the album and was released on 29 April 2013, the same day as the album.'The Voice' UK star Bo Bruce debuts 'Save Me' music video - watch Digital Spy (11-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013). The release was written by Bruce, Shelly Poole and Matt Schwartz who also produced the track.Save Me! Bo Bruce Releases Yet Another Ethereal Music Video Kernel's Corner (12-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013). "Save Me" received its first radio play on 20 March 2013 on BBC Radio 2, with a music video for the single being released the week before.Sinead O'Connor picks two more favourites on Tracks of my Years BBC (20-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013).WATCH: 'The Voice' Contestant Bo Bruce Debuts Video 'Save Me' Ahead Of New Album - Is She The Show's Real Winner? Huffington Post (11-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013).

"Alive" is the second single from Before I Sleep and was released on 24 June 2013. The track was co-written by Bruce and Danny O'Donoghue of The ScriptDanny O'Donoghue admits he is open to dating 'The Voice' contestants Hello! (24-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013).

Music videos "The Fall" - The music video for 'The Fall' was released on 27 November 2012. The video marked Bo's first release since competing in The Voice UK and Bruce announced that the track could be downloaded for free as an 'end of year gift' to the fans.First Taster Of My Album Bo Bruce (Unknown Date). Retrieved (01-02-2013).'The Voice' Bo Bruce unveils video for new single 'The Fall' - watch Digital Spy (28-11-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013). The video was directed by James Lawes, a school friend of Bruce's.Interview: Bo Bruce There Goes The Fear (25-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013). "Save Me" - A music video to accompany the lead single from the album was released on 10 March 2013. The video was shot in LA and was directed by Maximilla Lukacs, with Bruce commenting that the pair "instantly clicked" and were interested in the same themes.EXCLUSIVE: Behind The Scenes With 'The Voice' Contestant Bo Bruce For The Making Of 'Save Me' Video Huffington Post (28-03-2013). Retrieved (01-04-2013). "Alive" - The music video for second single 'Alive' was released on 19 May 2013 and was directed by James Lawes, who had previously directed the video for 'The Fall'.Bo Bruce premieres new single 'Alive' music video - watch - Music News - Digital Spy Digital Spy (23-05-2013). Retrieved (28-05-2013).Come Alive With The New Music Video by Bo Bruce, Co-written With Danny O'Donoghue ~ Kernel's Corner Kernel's Corner (19-05-2013). Retrieved (28-05-2013).

Track listing

Notes signifies an original producer signifies a vocal producer

Personnel Credits adapted from Before I Sleep liner notes.

Instrumental and vocals Bo Bruce - vocals (all tracks); backing vocals (all tracks); extra keyboards (3) Henry Binns - guitars (1, 12); keyboards (1, 12); drums (3); piano (5) Ian Dench - extra guitar (3); guitars (12) David Etherington - all instruments (6–7) James Flannigan - all instruments (4, 9); piano (10); additional backing vocals (13) Matt Harris - bass (9, 13); additional backing vocals (13) Greg Kurstin - drums (11); guitar (11); bass (11); keyboards (11) Amy Langley - cello (4) Gita Langley - violin (2–4) Tom Leonard - piano (1); extra guitar (5) Alex Maclean - electric guitar (13) Max Marlow- drums (6) Tom Marsh - drums (2) Johnny McDaid - vocals (4); backing vocals (4); all instruments (4, 9, 14) Adrian Meehan - drums (8) Jodi Milliner - guitars (1, 3, 5, 12); keyboards (1, 3, 12); bass (3, 5, 12); drums (3, 12) Rob Mullarkey - cello (3) Karen Poole - additional backing vocals (6–7) Al Rudd - bass (8); electric guitar (8) Matt Schwartz - all instruments (2) Tommy Sheen - electric guitar (13); additional backing vocals (13) Tom Skinner - drums (1, 12) Nick Southwood - acoustic guitar (8) Randy Spendlove - acoustic guitar (9) Alex Vargas - additional backing vocals (13) Ollie Walton - drums (9, 13)

Technical and production Bo Bruce - sonic sculpture (all tracks); additional arrangement (all tracks) Henry Binns - producer (1, 3, 5, 11–12); mixing (1, 3, 5, 12); sonic supervisor (all tracks) Jason Cox - mixing (11) Tim Debney - mastering (all tracks) David Etherington - producer (6–7); mixing (6–7); programming (6–7) James Flannigan - producer (4, 9, 10, 13); mixing (4, 9, 10, 13); programming (10); engineer (10) Sam Harper - engineer (4, 9, 13) Greg Kurstin - producer (11); programming (11); engineer (11) Johnny McDaid - producer (14); mixing (14); additional production (4) Jodi Milliner - producer (1, 3, 5, 12) Danny O'Donoghue - original production (3) Karen Poole - vocal co-producer (6–7) Rocky - mastering assistant (all tracks) Al Rudd - producer (8); mixing (8); engineer (8); programming (8) Matt Schwartz - producer (2); arranging (2); mixing (2) Jesse Shatkin - engineer (11) Nick Southwood - producer (8); mixing (8); programming (8) Tom Stanley - mix assistant (11)

Design Stuart Hardie - design Eliot Lee Hazel - photography Emily Pugh - back of booklet painting

Charts

Album Chart (2013) PeakpositionUK Albums (OCC) 10

Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Album UK "Save Me" 2013 53 Before I Sleep "Alive" 2013 58

Release history CountryDateFormatLabel United Kingdom 24 April 2013 CD, digital download Mercury Records

See also List of UK top-ten albums in 2013

References