Departure

Departure
Studio album by Taio Cruz
Released	March 17, 2008
Recorded	2006-2008
Genre	Pop, dance, R&B
Label	Island, Republic
Producer	Taio Cruz
Professional reviews
Digital Spy link In The News link IndieLondon link The Guardian link TimeOut London link BBC Urban Review link Blue & Soul Magazine link
Taio Cruz chronology
Departure (2008) Rokstarr (2009) Singles from Departure "I Just Wanna Know" Released: November 6, 2006 Re-released: November 10, 2008 "Moving On" Released: September 10, 2007 "Come On Girl" Released: March 3, 2008 "I Can Be" Released: May 26, 2008 "She's Like a Star" Released: August 11, 2008

Departure is the debut album by Taio Cruz. It was released on March 17, 2008.^[1] The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 17 on sales of 11,880.^[2]

Information

The entire album is written, produced and arranged by Taio Cruz.

The first single was "I Just Wanna Know" which was released on November 6, 2006. It hit number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.^{[citation needed]}

The second single was "Moving On" which was released on September 10, 2007. The digital download version was released on September 3, 2007. The song did better than the first single by hitting number 26 on the UK Singles Chart.^[3]

The third single, "Come On Girl" featuring Luciana, was released on March 3, 2008 and hit number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.^[4]

The fourth single, "I Can Be" was re-recorded for its single release providing vocals from Estelle. It reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, dated on the chart May 25, 2008, based on downloads sales alone.^[5] Furthermore, is has also reached number 23 on the Irish Singles Chart, again on the back of downloads.^{[citation needed]}

The fifth single, "She's Like a Star was released on August 11, 2008. The song is currently peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart. The video features Roxanne McKee from Hollyoaks.

In September 2008, the album was officially certified gold by BPI be reaching 100,000+ sales.

The album's opening track "I'll Never Love Again" would also appear as an album track on Cruz's second album, Rokstarr.

Track listing

1. "I'll Never Love Again" - 3:51
2. "I Just Wanna Know" - 4:00
3. "I Can Be" - 3:54
4. "I Don't Wanna Fall in Love" - 3:24
5. "So Cold" - 3:29
6. "Fly Away" - 4:05
7. "Driving Me Crazy" - 3:16
8. "Moving On - 3:27
9. "Come On Girl" (featuring Luciana) - 3:36
10. "Never Gonna Get Us" - 3:54
11. "She's Like a Star" - 3:39
12. "Can't Say Go" - 3:23
13. "Your Game" (iTunes bonus track) - 3:39

Taio Cruz vs Delinquent Mix Bonus CD - HMV Exclusive

1. "Come On Girl (Delinquent Mix) - 4:37
2. "Fly Away (Delinquent Mix) - 3:57
3. "I Can Be (Delinquent Mix) - 4:19
4. "I Just Wanna Know (Delinquent Mix) - 3:11
5. "I'll Never Love Again (Delinquent Mix) - 4:34

Online Exclusives & B-Sides

• "Backseat Love" (featuring Erick Sermon)
• "Ay Ay Ay"
• "Beat It"
• "Naked"
• "Stupid Superstition"
• "Disco Fever"
• "The Truth (Has Never Been Told)" (Guz Lally, Lorne Alistair Tennant)^[6]

Reception

Critical response

The Guardian said: "This isn't only manifest in the 4/4 beats and electronic focus; the album is absolutely drenched in wonderfully camp disco strings. Cruz's own swooping vocals are most reminiscent of Seal; "Never Gonna Get Us" seems permanently on the verge of segueing into Crazy. Though somewhat lacking in low end at times (Cruz should learn about the virtues of a heavy bassline), this is a stylish, inventive debut."^[7] Digital Spy noted: "Most of the ballads deploy strings over their R&B rhythms, but "Come On Girl", is all crunchy electro. "Fly Away" starts with a slick electric guitar riff and "I Can Be" recalls '80s British pop soul acts like Joe Jackson or Fine Young Cannibals. Yet Departure is a much more American than British-sounding album, with Cruz's voice blurring into a mid-Atlantic burr."^[8] DigitalSpy reviewed: "You can't blame Cruz for laying claim to the album's sonic template: with its super-sized synths, dramatic string samples and just-as-crisp-as-Timbaland beats, Departure sounds tremendous. Sadly, it's let down by an over-reliance on slow jams, with only the rock-influenced "Fly Away" revisiting the carefree, dancefloor-friendly vibe of "Come On Girl". More typical is the hard-edged balladry of Cruz's early singles "Moving On" and "I Just Wanna Know", which combine sleek, electro-tinged production with surprisingly bleak lyrics about romantic ups and (mainly) downs. Their lack of club appeal notwithstanding, Cruz's songs have much to recommend them: proper pop melodies, smooth, yearning vocals and a vulnerability sorely lacking in many of his contemporaries. "So Cold" is particularly affecting, with Cruz picturing his romantic successor. Not that Cruz is a shrinking violent, mind. "Never Gonna Get Us" is bold and defiant, while the anthemic "I Can Be" is positively dripping with confidence. This frequently impressive debut suggests Cruz can make good on his pledge – once he realises, of course, that variety is a staple ingredient of any great pop album.^[9]

Chart performance

References