High Drama is the fifth studio album and first covers album by American singer Adam Lambert. It was released on February 24, 2023, through More Is More and BMG.
Background The album was announced in December 2022.
Critical reception
High Drama received generally positive reviews. Metacritic gave the album a score of 74 out of 100. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic said, "High Drama is such an ideal title for Adam Lambert, a singer who specializes in grand, overheated gestures," and "he takes pains to give the 11 songs on High Drama distinctive arrangements that clearly delineate his version from the original." Metro Weeklys Sean Maunier wrote, "With a mix of songs that allow him to show off a range and versatility, High Drama highlights Lambert's skill as a curator, a side of himself that he has not really shown off much up until this point."
Writing for Riff Magazine Mike DeWald praised the album and especially Lambert's vocals. He wrote, "The real stars of the show here are his unmistakable pipes. Few have the power and range of Lambert's vocals, as evidenced by his recruitment to front Queen, a role he's tackled with poise."
Release and promotion High Drama was released by BMG Rights Management on February 24, 2023. To promote the album Lambert appeared on multiple television shows. On December 13, 2022, Lambert performed the lead single "Ordinary World" during the season 22 finale of The Voice. He performed "Holding Out for a Hero" on The National Lottery's Big Bash end-of-year special. On February 27, 2023, Lambert performed "Chandelier" on America's Got Talent: All-Stars finale with the season's winner. On April 30, he was a mentor during the twenty-first season of American Idol.
He also made appearances on The Jonathan Ross Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, The View, Australian Idol, and That's My Jam.
Commercial performance High Drama debuted at number 126 on the US Billboard 200 selling 8,500 pure album sales.
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic.
Vocals Benedict Cork – background vocals Adam Lambert – primary artist, vocals Lauren Salamone – background vocals
Musicians
Billy Adamson – guitar Charley Bagnell – drums, synthesizer Fiona Bonds – viola Mike Bryne – drums Reiad Chibah – viola Mark Crew – keyboards Agata Daraskaite – viola Mary Dolan – viola Tommy English – guitar, keyboards Aliayta Foon-Dancoes – violin Thomas Gould – violin Jeremy Hatcher — bass guitar, guitar, keyboards Toby Hughes – bass guitar Jeremy Issac – violin Venetia Jollands – violin Laurance Juber – guitar
Ashok Klouda – cello Charlie Laffer – bass Oliver Langford – violin Jack LaVelle – guitar Eloise Macdonald – violin Robin Mullarkey – guitar Will Newell – violin Elliot Perks – viola Dan Priddy – keyboards Reuben Priddy – bass, guitar Juliette Roos – violin Roberto Ruisi – violin Peter Sokolovskis – violin Stephane Tress – cello Andrew Wells – bass guitar, drums, guitar, synthesizer
Production
Charley Bagnell – additional production producer Jonny Coffer – additional production, producer Jeremy Cooper – mastering Mark Crew – engineer, producer, programming Tommy English – producer, programming Amanda Ghost – producer Dan Grech-Marguerat – mixing Martin Hannah – engineer, tracking Jeremy Hatcher – engineer, producer, programming Jonas Jalhay – engineer Ilsey Juber – producer Adam Lambert – executive producer Bill Mallin – mixing
George Moore – producer Michael Nolasco – engineer, tracking Mads Perch – photography Dan Priddy – producer, programming Will Purton – string engineer Jonathan Quarmby – vocal producer Richard Robinson – art direction Jenny Solway – engineer Cenzo Townsend – mixing Andrew Wells – programming Freddy Wexler – producer Eg White — string arrangements Richard Woodcraft – tracking
Charts +Chart performance for High Drama Chart (2023) Peakposition
References