Circles (stylized in lower case) is the second studio album by American Christian singer and songwriter Dante Bowe. Bethel Music released the album on March 26, 2021.[1] The album contains guest appearances by Trevor Jackson, Lael, and Bizzle. The album was produced by Lael, Ben Schofield, and Stephen Blake Kanicka.
| Circles | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 26, 2021 | |||
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| Length | 41:17 | |||
| Label | Bethel Music | |||
| Producer |
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| Dante Bowe chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Circles | ||||
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The album was supported by the release of "Joyful" as a single. The album debuted at number seven on the US Top Gospel Albums chart.
Background
editCircles is Dante Bowe's second studio album, following his independent debut release, Son of a Father (2017). and his first label debut project,[2] since signing with Bethel Music in 2019. Bowe began songwriting for the album in 2020, in the aftermath of his grandfather's passing and consumed by the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, working with Lael and Ben Schofield in the production of the album.[3]
Bowe said that the album title was drawn from the song "Circles", saying: "I wrote that song because I felt like last year, and still a little bit this year, that people feel like they’ve been spinning around in circles, dizzy and out of control." Bowe said that the song's message is that God is "the God of the circles," and he felt the song represented the whole project.[2]
Music and lyrics
editSonically, Bowe drew inspiration from the music of his childhood—gospel, '90s R&B, hip-hop, and soul.[3][4] The lyrics of the album revolve around "themes of gratitude, forgiveness, perseverance, and understanding."[2]
Artwork
editThe photo for the album cover was shot by Donté Maurice. Bowe had initially wanted the album cover to be in a field, but Maurice suggested that the photo be done in a studio, with Bowe jumping off a trampoline to appear as though he jumping in the sky.[2]
Release and promotion
editOn March 1, 2021, Dante Bowe announced that he will be releasing his second studio album, Circles, on March 26.[5][6] He released "Joyful" as the lead single from Circles on March 12, 2021.[7][8] On March 19, 2021, Circles was availed for digital pre-order.[9]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |   [10] |
| JubileeCast | 4.5/5[11] |
Timothy Yap of JubileeCast praised the album, saying, "With most songs clocking in at the 2 to 3 minute mark, most of the entries are punchy without much wasted notes. Though there are a couple of songs ("Over and Over" and "Keep Going") that border on the side of the ordinary, this record is superb. It is diverse, interesting, and it also hits you in the heart. "Love is in the Air," in particular, is the bomb."[11] Reviewing for Jesus Freak Hideout, Andrew Blauwkamp wrote a positive review, saying: "I was pleasantly surprised with how creative and well-produced this album was. This is Dante Bowe's album through and through. He does nothing but shine on each track. Give Circles a spin and enjoy each minute of this musical experience."[10]
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, Circles debuted at No. 7 on the Top Gospel Albums chart.[12]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s)[14] | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Circles" |
| Lael | 2:49 |
| 2. | "Okay" (featuring Trevor Jackson and Lael) |
| Lael | 2:36 |
| 3. | "Joyful" |
| Ben Schofield | 2:17 |
| 4. | "Just Me" |
| Lael | 3:04 |
| 5. | "All God's Children" |
| Stephen Blake Kanicka | 2:56 |
| 6. | "Real Kind of Love" |
| Lael | 2:49 |
| 7. | "Good Times" |
| Lael | 2:47 |
| 8. | "Keep Going" |
| Lael | 3:11 |
| 9. | "I Wanna Know You" |
| Stephen Blake Kanicka | 3:38 |
| 10. | "Love is in the Air" |
| Stephen Blake Kanicka | 4:06 |
| 11. | "Family Tree" |
| Ben Schofield | 3:56 |
| 12. | "Over and Over" (featuring Bizzle) |
| Lael | 3:37 |
| 13. | "You" |
| Lael | 3:37 |
| Total length: | 41:17 | |||
Charts
editRelease history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | March 26, 2021 |
|
Bethel Music | [13][14] |
References
edit- ^ Clarks, Jessie (March 26, 2021). "Dante Bowe Debuts 'Circles' Album – TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Clarks, Jessie (April 6, 2021). "Dante Bowe Debuts 'Circles' Album – TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Benitez-Eves, Tina (March 30, 2021). "Brandon Lake of Bethel Music Collective Discusses Inspiration Behind Solo Effort, "I Need a Ghost"". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Dante Bowe to Release Sophomore Album 'circles' Mar 26 – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. March 19, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Dante Bowe to Release 'Circles' Album Mar 26 – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. March 1, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Longs, Herb (March 1, 2021). "Dante Bowe To Debut 'Circles' March 26 – TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (March 12, 2021). "Dante Bowe Releases "Joyful" – TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Chavez, Lizet (March 13, 2021). "Dante Bowe Shares New Single 'Joyful'". Vacancy Magazine. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (March 19, 2021). "Dante Bowe Channels His Roots On Upcoming Album 'Circles' – TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Blauwkamp, Andrew (December 31, 2021). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Dante Bowe, "circles" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ a b Yap, Timothy (March 25, 2021). "Dante Bowe "Circles" Album Review : Exclusives : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "Top Gospel Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "circles by Dante Bowe on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "circles by Dante Bowe on Spotify". Spotify. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Top Gospel Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Top Gospel Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2022.