Freedom is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Rebecca Ferguson, and was released on 2 December 2013 in the United Kingdom, a day after the release of the album's lead single "I Hope". The album received positive reviews from critics, praising her vocals and movement away from her soul-influenced debut album, Heaven, into a more R&B, club-orientated sound. The album also attained moderate commercial success in the UK, where it became her second top ten album and achieved a silver certification from the BPI after just 3 weeks since its release date, followed by a Gold certification on 27 December 2013. The album was released through a joint deal between Syco Music and RCA Records.
Its lead single "I Hope" was released on 1 December 2013 and peaked at number 15, her third Top 40 single. In mainland Europe, "Light On" was released as the second single from the album after a television performance of the track which entered it in the German Top 40 singles.
Background
In November 2012, Ferguson said that following her US tour in early 2013, she would go back to the studio and begin writing for her second album which was aimed for release in late in 2013 or early 2014. Ferguson considered Freedom stronger and edgier than its predecessor. In July 2013, she stated through a series of posts on Twitter that she was "proud" of her new album and that the "album has been hard to make." She also revealed that she had written songs "inspired by her babies." Meanwhile, Ferguson had settled a dispute with her former management team, Modest! Management, after branding them "vile" for not allowing her enough time off to see her children. The parties "settled their outstanding legal disputes" for an undisclosed sum of money. On 22 August 2013, Ferguson formally announced via Twitter that the new record was to be titled Freedom, and would be released on 2 December 2013 in the United Kingdom.
Release
On 17 October 2013, Ferguson unveiled the album artwork. The cover depicts Ferguson wearing a red gown giving her a 70s look. Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that the cover is "exquisite and she’s raising glamour to previously unimagined heights by channeling Diana Ross on the cover."
Promotion
On 11 November 2013 Ferguson premiered samples of five songs via Popjustice earlier including "All That I've Got", "My Best", "Hanging On" and "Bridges". On 12 November 2013, "Fake Smile" was made available to free digital download on Amazon.co.uk. The same day, Ferguson played an intimate show at the Under the Bridge venue, in London, performing 6 songs from Freedom, 6 others from Heaven and a cover of Katy Perry's "Roar". On 14 November 2013, she performed "All That I've Got" on The Paul O'Grady Show.
Singles
The lead single for the album, "I Hope", premiered on 12 October 2013 and was originally slated to be released on 24 November 2013; however, the release date was pushed back a week to 1 December 2013. The official music video was uploaded onto Ferguson's YouTube account on 21 October 2013. About the message of the song, Ferguson said, "It's about coming out of something really messy like a messy relationship and finally getting to the point where you choose to forgive the person that's hurt you rather than holding a grudge." The song became a success entering the UK Singles Chart at number 15, becoming Ferguson's third top twenty single, after Nothing's Real but Love and Backtrack, and serving as her second most successful single to date.
'Light On', a German bonus track, was released as the album's second single after a television performance in Germany which saw the track make a top 40 appearance.
The second UK single "All That I've Got" was confirmed as the second single from the album with a release date of 2 March.
Critical reception
On 23 September 2013, Ferguson debuted four tracks from the album for music critics—"I Hope", "Fake Smile", "Freedom" and "All That I Got". They were all met with acclaim; Digital Spy's Robert Copsey called "Fake Smile" smooth and soulful, whilst praising Ferguson's vocals on the track. The Huffington Post called the tracks performed stronger and fiercer than on Heaven.