Handle with Care
Studio album by
Natalie Lauren
ReleasedJuly 17, 2020 (2020-07-17)
RecordedNatalie Lauren's Home
Parhelion Recording Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Length33:55
LabelRostrum, Native North
ProducerCarvello, John Smythe, Jordan Webb, Juice Bangers, Natalie Lauren, Swoope, Vindell Smith
Natalie Lauren chronology
Cliff Notes
(2014)		 Handle with Care
(2020)
Singles from Handle with Care
  1. "Meditate"
    Released: June 25, 2019
  2. "Something Something"
    Released: January 17, 2020
  3. "Just Breathe"
    Released: May 29, 2020
  4. "Back to Love"
    Released: June 19, 2020
  5. "Bra Off"
    Released: July 1, 2020

Handle with Care is the debut studio album by Christian hip hop artist and songwriter Natalie Lauren, released on July 17, 2020, through Rostrum Records and Native North. Five singles were released in advance of the album's release: "Meditate" on June 25, 2019, "Something Something" on January 17, 2020, "Just Breathe" on May 29, 2020, "Back to Love" on June 19, 2020, and "Bra Off", on July 1, 2020.

Recording and release

For the recording of the album, Lauren worked closely with Swoope, a labelmate and music producer.[1] Recording was done both at Lauren's home and at Parhelion Recording Studios in Atlanta. During the early stages of recording, Lauren was struggling with loss and confusion, which translated into her approaching the album as a form of therapy.[1] On June 25, Lauren released the single "Meditate" through Rostrum Records.[2] A second single, "Something Something", followed on January 17, 2020.[3][4] A music video for "Something Something" was shot in Sims' hometown of Tulsa, and was released on February 28, 2020.[5][6] A third single, "Just Breathe", was released on May 29, 2020.[7] "Back to Love" followed on Juneteenth (June 19), 2020, about a month after being conceptualized by Lauren.[8][9] On July 1, 2020, a fifth single was released from the album, entitled "Bra Off".[10] Handle with Care was announced on July 3, 2020, and released on July 17, 2020, through Rostrum Records and Native North.[11] A music video for "God Morning" was released on October 1, 2020.[12]

Lyrical themes

The overall concept of the album is that of inspiration and healing while also challenging perceptions of blackness.[1] Lauren stated in a July 23, 2020, interview that "There are so many communities I am a part of and love. The Black community, followers of Jesus, LGBTQ community all play a significant role in my life and I want my music to be in support and love of them all through the arts."[1] She described the album as a space where she and her listeners can simply be as they are without judgement.[1] The song "White Noise" has been described as perhaps the most vulnerable track on the album. Lauren states that this song is "about God's silence towards me and how it felt like rejection and punishment for so long."[1] While she struggled with resentment, she also learned to surrender to the silence she encountered.[1] According to Lauren, "Something Something" was written for her mother and for anyone who is "unseen and tired."[13] Lauren described the concept of "Back to Love" as "the first day of Black Summer" where black people can be safe in their own homes and celebrate their culture.[9] "Bra Off" points out that women should not be subject to insult, assault, sexism, or sexualization when they do not wear a bra.[14] It also, according to Lauren, calls on women to be content without "doing" and instead lend themselves moments to "remove our capes and all the superwoman roles we wear and to simply exist bare as women."[14]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."God Morning"Allen Swoope II, Natalie Lauren Sims, William James LoftonSwoope3:23
2."Something Something"Swoope, John Smythe, SimsSwoope and John Smythe2:41
3."Get It Right"Swoope, Sims, Lofton, William Josiah Howard ReevesSwoope and Juice Bangers3:02
4."Bra Off"Swoope, Jasmine Mans, SimsSwoope2:56
5."Super Human"Mans, Jaylon Ashaun, Sims, Ryan C. Bert, William JacksonCarvello2:10
6."Safe Place Interlude" (featuring Swoope)Swoope, SimsSwoope3:33
7."Hard Part"Smythe, SimsJohn Smythe1:50
8."White Noise"Jordan Webb, Sims, Vindell Elijiah SmithVindell Smith and Jordan Webb3:06
9."One Million Reasons"Swoope, SimsSwoope3:35
10."Meditate"Swoope, Sims, LoftonSwoope2:12
11."Back to Love"Swoope, Sims, JacksonNatalie Lauren and Swoope2:49
12."Happy Tears"Swoope, SimsSwoope2:38
Total length:33:55
  • Tracklist credits adapted from liner notes and Tidal[15]

Credits and personnel

Adapted from liner notes and Tidal[15]

  • Natalie Lauren: Primary artist, song-writing, A&R, album artwork, recording and engineering, production on "Back to Love"
  • Swoope: Album production, song-writing
  • Carvello: Production on "Super Human"
  • Juice Bangers: Production on "Get It Right"
  • John Smythe: Production on "Something Something" and "Hard Part"
  • Jordan Webb: Production on "White Noise"
  • W. J. Lofton: Production on "God Morning", song-writing on "Get It Right" and "Meditate"
  • Vindell Smith: Production on "White Noise"
  • Billy Jackson: Song-writing on "Super Human" and "Back to Love"
  • Jasmine Mans: Song-writing on "Bra Off"
  • Ryan C. Bert: Song-writing on "Super Human"
  • Jaylon Ashaun: Song-writing on "Super Human"
  • William Josiah Howard Reeves: Song-writing on "Get It Right"
  • Ralph Cacciurri: Recording and engineering
  • Miles Walker: Album mixing
  • Jacob “Biz” Morris: Mixing on "Meditate"
  • John Kercy: Mixing on "Back to Love" and "Bra Off"
  • Colin Leonard: Mastering
  • Shawna Peezy Spears: Management

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ceres, Celeste Daniella (2020-07-23). "Natalie Lauren speaks on creating art for Black people and the power of being present on 'Handle With Care' [Interview]". EARMILK. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  2. ↑ "Meditate - Single by Natalie Lauren". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  3. ↑ "Something Something - Single by Natalie Lauren". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  4. ↑ "BMI Indie Spotlight: Natalie Lauren". BMI. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  5. ↑ Angele, Emilie (2020-03-04). "'Something, Something' From Natalie Lauren Is Out Now!". Conversations About Her. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  6. ↑ Natalie Lauren (February 28, 2020). "Something Something". Retrieved August 28, 2020 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "Just Breathe - Single by Natalie Lauren". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  8. ↑ "Back To Love - Single by Natalie Lauren". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  9. 1 2 Watts, Jr., James D. (June 18, 2020). "Tulsa recording artist Natalie Lauren to release new single on Juneteenth". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  10. ↑ "Bra Off - Single by Natalie Lauren". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  11. ↑ "Handle With Care by Natalie Lauren". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  12. ↑ Lauren, Natalie (October 1, 2020). "Natalie Lauren - God Morning (Official Music Video)". Retrieved October 2, 2020 – via YouTube.
  13. ↑ "Natalie Lauren Is Up To 'Something Something'". Lit and More. January 17, 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  14. 1 2 Ceres, Celeste Daniella (2020-07-07). "Natalie Lauren's "Bra Off" invites Black women to embrace their natural selves". EARMILK. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  15. 1 2 "Handle with Care by Natalie Lauren". Tidal.
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