Bruises (album)

Bruises
Studio album by
Dia Frampton
ReleasedMarch 3, 2017 (2017-03-03)
Length46:37
LabelNettwerk
Producer
  • Christian "Leggy" Langdon
  • Dan Heath
  • Seth Jones
Dia Frampton chronology
Red
(2011) 		Bruises
(2017)
Singles from Bruises
  1. "Golden Years"
    Released: October 7, 2016
  2. "Gold and Silver"
    Released: November 19, 2016
  3. "Crave"
    Released: January 28, 2017
  4. "Dead Man"
    Released: February 18, 2017

Bruises is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Dia Frampton. It was released on March 3, 2017, by Nettwerk Music Group. Mainly produced by Dan Heath, the album was promoted by four singles: "Golden Years", "Gold and Silver", "Crave" and "Dead Man". Bruises received generally positive reviews from music critics, reaching at number 39 and 14 on Billboard's Independent Albums and Heatseekers Albums chart, respectively.

Background

Frampton released her debut studio album, Red (2012), which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.[1] Following her appearance as the runner-up on the first season of The Voice in 2011, she experienced both commercial exposure and industry challenges, including label changes and collaborations with various artists.[2] Frampton talked about then-upcoming studio album Bruises, produced by Dan Heath,[3][4] was shaped by her challenging efforts to reclaim happiness after a phase of reality-TV exposure that affected her career.[5][6] She also explained that the album explores "the ups and downs of life", as it traces moments of brightness and darkness alike, and reflects experiences of loss, triumph, and hope—each song embodying a fragment of either "the light or the dark".[7]

Composition

In discussing the album's themes, Frampton explained that Bruises is "about the ups and downs of life", which encompasses moments of "shining in light" as well as "sinking in darkness", and focuses on both "wins and losses" and a sense of hope.[8] The album incorporates a sparkle of her journey and aspiration.[2] She added that each track represents "either experience: the light or the dark".[8] Musically, these contrasts are shown in arrangements that shift between restraint and intensity; one such moment features a horn-filled build-up that "borders on overwhelming".[8] As noted by AllMusic, this combination of "self-awareness and vulnerability" lends Bruises a confessional quality with Frampton's openness, which forms a direct emotional connection to the listener through what has been described as her "soul-baring purity".[8]

The album's opener "Hope" encompasses "a cinematic quality", while "Gold & Silver" offers "soft, airy vocal flips into falsetto".[2] Frampton accompanies Korean heritage in "Out of the Dark" as well as "Lights".[2] "Golden Years" focuses on harp strings and violins, which could be an extension of "Between Two Hungs" by Florence and the Machine.[2] In "Crave", Dan Heath's production is evident in the "cinematic scope" given to Lana Del Rey.[8] While "Lights" brings a vibe of Coldplay, "Don't Look Back" summons comparisons ranging from Owl City to Sigur Ros' ongoing theatrical production.[2] "Blind" is a "horn-filled" song that contains "the album's mantra".[8]

Singles

"Golden Years" was released as lead single of Bruises, on 7 October 2016.[5][9] "Gold and Silver" was officially released as the second single of the album, on 19 November 2016.[10] "Crave" served as the third single, on 28 January 2017.[11] "Dead Man", was released as the fourth single and last single of the album on 18 February 2017.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Sputnikmusic[13]

The album received positive reviews from music critics. Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic gave Bruises 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as a deeply emotional and mature album that chronicles Frampton's struggles in the music industry.[8] Sputnikmusic praised the album for showcasing a more ethereal and mature sound compared to Frampton's previous work.[13]

Personnel

Credits were adapted from AllMusic.[14]

  • Blake Stranathan – composer
  • Christian "Leggy" Langdon – mixing, producer
  • Claire Landis – composer
  • Dan Heath – composer, engineer, producer
  • Dan Romer – composer
  • Dia Frampton – composer, primary artist
  • Eric Tobin – photography
  • Gergely Kiss – management
  • Greg Calbi – mastering
  • Hungarian Studio Orchestra – score
  • Joel Shearer – guitar
  • John Rummen – design
  • Jose Villanueva – composer
  • Joseph Trapanese – composer
  • Matt Morgan – composer
  • Michael Kaminsky – photography
  • Nathaniel Smith – orchestration
  • Nico Stadi – composer
  • Peter Kanyurszky – concert master
  • Péter Pejtsik – conductor
  • Sandor Jozsa – contractor
  • Seth Jones – composer, producer
  • Stephen Wrabel – composer
  • Tamás Kurina – engineer
  • Tim Anderson – composer, guitar
  • Tyler Lyle – composer

Track listing

Bruises track listing[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Hope"3:08
2."Out of the Dark"3:28
3."Gold and Silver"4:25
4."Dead Man"3:40
5."Lights"3:53
6."Golden Years"3:48
7."Crave"3:40
8."Don't Look Back"4:41
9."Blind"4:36
10."Chances"3:28
11."White Dress"3:58
12."Die Wild"3:58
Total length:46:37

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[16] 39
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[6] 14

References

  1. ^ "Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f McLaughlin, Kalah (March 8, 2017). "Dia Frampton – Bruises". MXDWN. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  3. ^ Nolfi, Joey (August 31, 2016). "Dia Frampton: The Voice runner-up's essay details sexist career struggles". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Frampton, Dia (August 31, 2016). "I'd Get to the Top of the Mountain if It Would Just Stop Fucking Growing". United States: Medium. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Nolfi, Joey (October 5, 2016). "Dia Frampton's Golden Years: Hear her comeback single". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Dia Frampton's Bruises Out Now; Lands On Billboard's Heatseekers & Alternative New Artists Chart". Nettwerk. March 13, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  7. ^ "Home". United States: Dia Frampton Official Website. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Neil Z. Yeung. "Dia Frampton - Bruises". AllMusic. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Frampton, Dia [@diaframpton]; (October 7, 2016). "It's midnight somewhere, and my new single "Golden Years" is live! (Link in bio.)". Retrieved June 10, 2025 – via Instagram.
  10. ^ Frampton, Dia [@diaframpton]; (November 19, 2016). "My new song "Gold and Silver", is live now! (Link in bio.)". Retrieved June 10, 2025 – via Instagram.
  11. ^ Frampton, Dia [@diaframpton]; (January 28, 2017). "My new single "Crave" is officially out today". Retrieved June 10, 2025 – via Instagram.
  12. ^ Frampton, Dia [@diaframpton]; (February 18, 2017). ""Dead Man" is live today on Spotify..." Retrieved June 10, 2025 – via Instagram.
  13. ^ a b Divaman (March 12, 2017). "Dia Frampton - Bruises (Album Review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  14. ^ "Dia Frampton - Bruises - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  15. ^ "Bruises - Album". Dia Frampton. United States: Apple Music. March 3, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. ^ "Dia Frampton Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
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