Starfire is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith. It was released on January 19, 2018, by Monument Records and was produced by Paul Moak.
Background Prior to the release of the album, an extended play of the same name featuring five tracks was released in 2016.
The title track was released as the lead single. Of the song, Smith explained "after so many years and so many closed doors, 'Starfire' really is my theme song." Having previously worked exclusively as a songwriter for other artists, Smith discussed the difference in the writing process when composing songs for her own album with Billboard, noting "with these songs it was a totally different approach to writing where I was able to dig around my own story and write some more honest stuff."
Promotion On February 20, 2018, Smith announced a 26-city United States tour to promote Starfire, beginning on April 5 at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts, and finishing on May 10 in Nashville's Mercy Lounge.
Critical reception
AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "the rare kind of singer/songwriter album where the exquisitely sculpted songs are given big, lavish arrangements that swing for the fences", but highlighted "This Town Is Killing Me" and "Tacoma" for showing Smith being "equally at home in more intimate settings", concluding that: "These are fully realized versions of Smith's repertoire, and if Starfire doesn't click commercially, at least it stands as a testament to all that this fine songwriter can do as a performer."
Track listing
Charts Chart (2018) Peakposition
Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic.
Matthew Berinato - Package Design Brad Blackwood - Mastering Michael Brauer - Mixing Tyler Burkum - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background) Sarah Buxton - Vocals (Background) Bobby Chase - Viola Eleonore Denig - Violin Jason Eskridge - Vocals (Background) Ian Fitchuk - Congas, Drums, Organ, Percussion, Piano (Upright), Vocals (Background), Wurlitzer Becky Fluke - Photography Cara Fox - Cello Sarah Johnson - Production Assistant Benjamin Kaufman - Violin Katie McCartney - Art Direction Paul Moak - Engineer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Hi String Guitar (Acoustic), Mixing, Organ, Pedal Steel Guitar, Piano (Upright), Pipe Organ, Producer, Vocals (Background) Gordie Sampson - Piano Caitlyn Smith - Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Tenor), Primary Artist, Vocals (Background) Brendan St. Gelais - Assistant Devin Vaughan - Engineer, Mixing Kevin Whitsett - Bass, Bass (Upright), Vocals (Background) Zack Zinck - Assistant
References