Letters Vol 1

Release Date: Nov 22nd 2019
Record Type: EP
Record Label: Columbia
Formats: Digital, CD

  

Notes

In an interview with Celebmix.com, Grace was asked, “Are the songs featured on it letters to you, people around you, or to the world in general?” Grace answered: “I’d say it’s a mix of all 3. I wanted to name it Letters, as it’s so personal to me. It’s such a detailed piece, and I’ve never stepped into that before, writing about my own personal experiences and thoughts.” … “I’ve approached the songwriting differently with this EP; it’s much more personal. The entire process of the EP was me saying no to the wrong ideas and wanting to do it my way, saying screw it, whatever, I wanted to say what I was feeling. That was the most important thing to me when writing Letters.”… “Letters was inspired by Kanye and Tyler, the Creator. I like their forward production and styling, and I was inspired to mix that with my more personal words for the EP.” Asked what song would sum up the EP: “I think The City, I really like that one. I love the production on it, I got to be really creative on this song.”
(Kelly McFarland for CelebMix.com 2019 - undated)

In an interview with British music magazine, Music Week (a trade publication for the British Record industry), Grace explained: "This EP is closest thing to what I hear in my mind that I’ve made so far. I always hear some things that I’m never able to execute. “I’ve improved by expressing myself, being able to communicate better. I’m proud of it because I really am excited for people to hear what I hear. …I want to take music as far as possible. I just want to be doing it for the rest of my life, even if I stay exactly where I am. As long as I can do something that still allows me to escape with myself I would be happy and successful. … I obviously want to succeed in the more standard definition of success, but it’s not something that I base my art around. “ never change anything to make that happen because fame and that type of success is such an unformulated career, that’s why so many people can’t do it."

Chart Position

Did not chart

Songs

Track Song Name Info Comments Length
1 Gucci Shoes (Intro) Show Info >
Hide Info v
Melissa Dougherty : Guitar
Grace Vanderwaal : Vocals
Ido Zmishlany : Background vocals
Ido Zmishlany : Producer, engineer
Joe Zook : Mixer
Jason Staniulis : Engineer
Manny Park : Engineer
Ross Newbauer : Assistant engineer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering

Engineered at VsTheWorld Studios, Brooklyn, NY and Germano Studios, New York, NY Mastered at Lake Arrowhead CA
2:04
2 Poseur Show Info >
Hide Info v
Melissa Dougherty : Guitar
Grace Vanderwaal : Vocals
Dave Eggar : Cello
Ido Zmishlany : Instruments, string arragements
Ido Zmishlany : Producer, engineer
Dave Eggar : String arrangements and orchestration
Jason Staniulis : Engineer
Kris Crawford : Engineer
Mark "Spike" Stent : Mixer
Michael Freeman : Assistant engineer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering

Engineered at VsTheWorld Studios, Brooklyn, NY and Germano Studios, New York, NY. Mastered at Lake Arrowhead CA
3:47
3 I Don't Like You Show Info >
Hide Info v
Melissa Dougherty : Guitar
Grace Vanderwaal : Vocals
Blake Slatkin : Producer
Mark "Spike" Stent : Mixer
Michael Freeman : Assistant engineer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering

Engineered at VsTheWorld Studios, Brooklyn, NY and Germano Studios, New York, NY. Mixed at The Mixsuite, L.A. Mastered at Lake Arrowhead CA
3:13
4 Ur So Beautiful Show Info >
Hide Info v
Melissa Dougherty : Guitar
Grace Vanderwaal : Vocals
Ido Zmishlany : Producer
Jason Staniulis : Engineer
Mark "Spike" Stent : Mixer
Michael Freeman : Assistant engineer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering

Engineered at Germano Studios, New York, NY. Mixed at The Mixsuite, L.A. Mastered at Lake Arrowhead CA
3:10
5 Waste My Time Show Info >
Hide Info v
Melissa Dougherty : Guitar
Grace Vanderwaal : Vocals
Ido Zmishlany : Producer
Jason Staniulis : Engineer
Jon Castelli : Mixer
Josh Deguzman : Mixing engineer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering

Engineered at Germano Studios, New York, NY. Mixed at the Gift Shop, L.A. Mastered at Lake Arrowhead CA
3:21
6 The City Show Info >
Hide Info v
Melissa Dougherty : Guitar
Ido Zmishlany : Producer
Grace Vanderwaal : Vocals
Ido Zmishlany : Engineer
Joey Wunsch : Engineer
Joe Zook : Mixer
Ross Newbauer : Assistant mixer
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering
Brian "Big Bass" Gardener : Mastering

Engineered at VsTheWorld Studios, Brooklyn, NY and Flux Studies New York. Mixed at Rocket Carousel Studios, Los Angeles. Mastered at Lake Arrowhead CA
4:10

Reviews and Media

Type Comment Link
Review Review by musician Tommy Marz
Review Grace’s vocals are simply breathtaking (More a "mention" than a review)
Review Grace VanderWaal is at the Top of Her Game With Letters: Vol. 1
Review A bold and unapologetic collection
Related content Singer and music coach Nina Schofield
Related content Producer Blake McLain reacts to Letters vol 1
Related content Interview with CelebMix.com
Related content Video of the original tracklist