Lotus (Christina Aguilera album): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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On ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' in 2012, Aguilera revealed that the album was taking a while to record because "I don't like to just get songs from producers. I like them to come from a personal place ... I'm very excited. It's fun, exciting, introspective, it's going to be great".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a373459/christina-aguilera-new-album-is-quality-over-quantity.html |title=Christina Aguilera: 'New album is quality over quantity' |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=May 27, 2012|access-date=October 5, 2012|archive-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701033042/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a373459/christina-aguilera-new-album-is-quality-over-quantity.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Aguilera said that the album was a "very multi-layered, very heartfelt record" reflecting different sides of her personality.<ref name="rs1">{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Andy |title=Christina Aguilera Says 'Lotus' LP Will Be 'Multi-Layered, Heartfelt' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/christina-aguilera-says-lotus-lp-will-be-multi-layered-heartfelt-20121019|access-date=November 6, 2012 |newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=October 19, 2012|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023000042/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/christina-aguilera-says-lotus-lp-will-be-multi-layered-heartfelt-20121019|url-status=live}}</ref> On ''Lotus'', Aguilera worked with new [[record producer|producers]], notably [[Alex da Kid]] and [[Max Martin]].<ref name="album credits"/> Alex da Kid, who first teamed with Aguilera in the song "[[Castle Walls]]" from [[T.I.]]'s ''[[No Mercy (T.I. album)|No Mercy]]'' (2010), commented about Aguilera's approach in recording ''Lotus'', "She definitely had a strong opinion, but she'll go with the best idea in the room. That's really rare for someone that's had so much success."<ref name=billboardcoverstory/> Speaking about working with Max Martin, Aguilera said, "Max is legendary in the business. He's known about me but we haven't crossed paths. [...] It's taken us a decade in the same business and watching each other from a distance, so for us to now come together and respect each other's work ethic and how we like to be heard and making a marriage out of it, I think 'Your Body' is the best culmination of that."<ref name="billboardcoverstory"/>

Aguilera announced via [[Twitter]] on September 12, 2012, that the album would be titled ''Lotus''.<ref name="billboardlotus">{{cite magazine |last=Greenwald |first=David |title=Christina Aguilera Announces 'Lotus' Album, 'Your Body' Single |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/475144/christina-aguilera-announces-lotus-album-your-body-single|access-date=September 23, 2012 |magazine=Billboard |date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=February 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221213641/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/475144/christina-aguilera-announces-lotus-album-your-body-single|url-status=live}}</ref> The album artwork was shot by fashion photographer Enrique Badulescu and was unveiled by Aguilera on October 5.<ref name="hitfixcover">{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Melinda |title=Check out Christina Aguilera's 'Lotus' album cover |url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/check-out-christina-aguileras-lotus-album-cover|access-date=October 6, 2012 |newspaper=[[HitFix]] |date=October 5, 2012|archive-date=October 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006233138/http://www.hitfix.com/news/check-out-christina-aguileras-lotus-album-cover|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="yahoocover">{{cite news |title=Christina Aguilera Unveils Lotus Album Cover |url=http://ca.omg.yahoo.com/news/christina-aguilera-unveils-lotus-album-cover-191221059.html|access-date=October 6, 2012 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022113951/http://ca.omg.yahoo.com/news/christina-aguilera-unveils-lotus-album-cover-191221059.html|archive-date=October 22, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The cover shows Aguilera emerging from a lotus flower with her arms outstretched. She is completely nude with her long, blonde hair covering her breasts, while her [[vulva]] is obscured by a white light.<ref name="mtvnewscover">{{cite news |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |title=Nude Christina Aguilera Blooms Out Of A Lotus On Album Cover |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695042/christina-aguilera-lotus-cover.jhtml|access-date=October 6, 2012 |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=October 5, 2012|archive-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008005613/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695042/christina-aguilera-lotus-cover.jhtml|url-status=~~live~~dead}}</ref> It received a generally positive response from critics; Tiffany Lee from [[Yahoo! Music]] complimented Aguilera's figure,<ref name="yahooalbumcover2">{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Tiffany |title=Christina Aguilera Debuts Her Nude 'Lotus' Album Cover Art |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/christina-aguilera-debuts-her-nude-lotus-album-cover-195710046.html|access-date=October 6, 2012 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |date=October 5, 2012|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005222525/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/christina-aguilera-debuts-her-nude-lotus-album-cover-195710046.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="insider">{{cite news |last=Bueno |first=Antoinette |title=Christina Aguilera unveils 'Lotus' album cover |url=http://www.theinsider.com/music/56123_Christina_Aguilera_Unveils_Lotus_Album_Cover/index.html|access-date=October 6, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Insider (TV series)|The Insider]] |date=October 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007175632/http://www.theinsider.com/music/56123_Christina_Aguilera_Unveils_Lotus_Album_Cover/index.html|archive-date=October 7, 2012}}</ref> while Sam Lansky from ''[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]'' drew comparisons to the cover of her fourth studio album, ''[[Stripped (Christina Aguilera album)|Stripped]]'' (2002).<ref name="idolatoralbumcover">{{cite news |last=Lansky |first=Sam |title=Christina Aguilera's 'Lotus' Album Artwork: See Lotustina Stripped (Again) |url=http://idolator.com/7028011/christina-aguileras-lotus-album-artwork|access-date=October 6, 2012 |newspaper=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |date=October 5, 2012}}</ref> ''Lotus'' was released on November 13, 2012, by RCA Records.<ref name="billboardcoverstory">{{cite magazine |last=Hampp |first=Andrew |title=Christina Aguilera: Billboard Cover Story |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474983/christina-aguilera-billboard-cover-story|access-date=September 23, 2012 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=September 21, 2012|archive-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509142012/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474983/christina-aguilera-billboard-cover-story|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Music and lyrics ==

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=== Singles ===

To promote ''Lotus'', two [[single (music)|singles]] were released from the album. "Your Body" was released on September 17, 2012, as ''Lotus'''s [[lead single]]. The song received mostly positive reviews from [[music journalism|music critics]], who praised Aguilera's vocals and the collaboration with Max Martin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Christina-Aguilera-Your-Body.htm |title=Review: Christina Aguilera – 'Your Body' |first=Bill |last=Lamp |publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2012 |date=October 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103015851/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Christina-Aguilera-Your-Body.htm|archive-date=November 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> It debuted and peaked at number 34 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 on September 27, 2012, becoming the highest-debut single during that week.<ref name="chartdebut">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474916/maroon-5-still-tops-hot-100-psy-one-step-from-no-1 |title=Maroon 5 Still Tops Hot 100, PSY One Step From No. 1 |magazine=Billboard |first=Gary |last=Trust |date=September 26, 2012|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701143400/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474916/maroon-5-still-tops-hot-100-psy-one-step-from-no-1|url-status=live}}</ref> Internationally, "Your Body" was a moderate success, peaking within the top 40 of most countries. The song's accompanying music video was directed by [[Melina Matsoukas]]; it portrays Aguilera as a killer dressed in pink, one who delights in wooing physically fit men to their demise.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |title=Christina Aguilera Sports Baseball Bat And LBD In 'Your Body' Shoot |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1692559/christina-aguilera-your-body-video-shoot.jhtml |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=August 24, 2012|access-date=September 13, 2012|archive-date=August 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830000149/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1692559/christina-aguilera-your-body-video-shoot.jhtml|url-status=~~live~~dead}}</ref><ref name="mtvnews1">{{cite news |last=Montgomery |first=James |title=Christina Aguilera's 'Your Body' Video: Watch It Now! |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1694624/christina-aguilera-your-body-video.jhtml|access-date=September 29, 2012 |publisher=MTV News |date=September 28, 2012|archive-date=September 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930013336/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1694624/christina-aguilera-your-body-video.jhtml|url-status=~~live~~dead}}</ref> Sam Lansky from Idolator provided a favorable review of the clip and described it as one of Aguilera's best videos.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sam |last=Lansky |url=http://idolator.com/6955361/christina-aguileras-your-body-video-watch-the-sexy-clip |title=Christina Aguilera's 'Your Body' Video: Watch the Sexy Clip |work=Idolator |date=September 28, 2012|access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> The second and final single from ''Lotus'', the duet "Just a Fool" with Blake Shelton, was released on December 4, 2012. It debuted at number 92 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 on November 17, 2012<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |last=Grein |first=Paul |title=Week Ending Nov. 18, 2012. Songs: Rihanna Ties Madonna |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-nov-18-2012-songs-rihanna-ties-213422610.html;_ylt=AgWw914k8dwZJglRgLHL2DgPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFkYTZnZmZkBG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105174045/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-nov-18-2012-songs-rihanna-ties-213422610.html;_ylt=AgWw914k8dwZJglRgLHL2DgPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFkYTZnZmZkBG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |access-date=November 21, 2012 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |date=November 21, 2012}}</ref> and peaked at number 71 in its second week charting.<ref name="yahoocharts">{{cite news |last=Grein |first=Paul |title=Week Ending Nov. 25, 2012. Songs: Phillip Phillips Is "Home" |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-nov-25-2012-songs-phillip-phillips-031437247.html;_ylt=AgIaY_CTxoXWQh8tos7VGcUPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFkYTZnZmZkBG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3|access-date=November 29, 2012 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |date=November 28, 2012}}</ref> As of September 2014, the single has sold over 746,000 copies in United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6236538/ask-billboard-taylor-swift-out-shakes-mariah-carey?page=0%2C3 |title=Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift Out-'Shake's Mariah Carey |first=Brian |last=Mansfield |date=September 1, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=September 7, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140907205254/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6236538/ask-billboard-taylor-swift-out-shakes-mariah-carey?page=0,3|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Live performances ===

Besides releasing singles to promote the album, Aguilera also performed several tracks from ''Lotus'' on a number of shows. On November 2, 2012, she performed "Your Body" on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'', alongside [[Jimmy Fallon]] and [[The Roots]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Sciaretto |first=Amy |url=http://popcrush.com/christina-aguilera-the-roots-jimmy-fallon-your-body-office-supplies/ |title=Christina Aguilera, the Roots + Jimmy Fallon Perform 'Your Body' With Office Supplies |publisher=Pop Crush |date=November 4, 2012|access-date=December 8, 2012|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322215445/https://popcrush.com/christina-aguilera-the-roots-jimmy-fallon-your-body-office-supplies/|url-status=live}}</ref> Aguilera and Cee Lo Green performed "Make the World Move" together on the [[The Voice (American season 3)|third season]] of ''[[The Voice (American TV series)|The Voice]]'' on November 13, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ball |first=Caila |url=http://idolator.com/7271942/the-voice-christina-aguilera-cee-lo-debut-make-the-world-move-the-top-10-is-revealed |title='The Voice': Christina Aguilera & Cee Lo Debut 'Make The World Move' & The Top 10 Is Revealed |work=Idolator |date=November 14, 2012|access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> The singer performed a medley of three songs, "Lotus Intro", "Army of Me" and "Let There Be Love" at the [[American Music Awards of 2012|40th American Music Awards]] on November 18, 2012, held at the [[Nokia Theatre L.A. Live|Nokia Theatre]] in Los Angeles, California.<ref>{{cite web |last=Warner |first=Kara |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695198/christina-aguilera-american-music-awards-performance-preview.jhtml |title=Christina Aguilera Teases AMA Performance Inspired By Lotus Cover |publisher=MTV News |date=October 9, 2012|access-date=November 12, 2012|archive-date=November 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112144157/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695198/christina-aguilera-american-music-awards-performance-preview.jhtml|url-status=~~live~~dead}}</ref> On November 19, 2012, Aguilera performed "Just a Fool" with Blake Shelton on ''The Voice''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Benjamin |first=Jeff |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/reality-check/474076/christina-aguilera-blake-shelton-unveil-just-a-fool-on-the |title=Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton Unveil 'Just A Fool' on 'The Voice' |magazine=Billboard |date=November 20, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2012|archive-date=February 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202233853/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/reality-check/474076/christina-aguilera-blake-shelton-unveil-just-a-fool-on-the|url-status=live}}</ref> The following day, she performed "Let There Be Love" on ''The Voice'' with her team contestants, Sylvia Yacoub and Dez Duron.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://idolator.com/7289242/the-voice-christina-aguilera-performs-let-there-be-love-cassadee-pope-hits-1-on-itunes |title=The Voice: Christina Aguilera Performs 'Let There Be Love' & Cassadee Pope Hits #1 On iTunes |work=Idolator |date=November 21, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref> On ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'', the singer performed "Just a Fool" again with Shelton on December 7, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lansky |first=Sam |title=Christina Aguilera Performs 'Just A Fool' On Ellen, Talks Hillary Clinton Chemistry: Watch |url=http://idolator.com/7318622/christina-aguilera-just-a-fool-interview-ellen-degeneres-hillary-clinton|access-date=December 22, 2012 |newspaper=Idolator |date=December 7, 2012}}</ref> Aguilera also performed "Blank Page" at the [[39th People's Choice Awards]] on January 9, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sciarretto |first=Amy |title=Christina Gives Candlelit Performance of 'Blank Page' at 2013 People's Choice Awards |url=http://popcrush.com/christina-aguilera-blank-page-2013-peoples-choice-awards/|access-date=January 10, 2013 |newspaper=Pop Crush |date=January 9, 2013|archive-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111101920/http://popcrush.com/christina-aguilera-blank-page-2013-peoples-choice-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==