Singular: Act II
The vulnerable, introspective closing chapter of a two-act story.
Singular: Act II is the fourth studio album by American singer Sabrina Carpenter, released on July 19, 2019, by Hollywood Records. The album acts as a sequel to her third studio album Singular: Act I (2018) and was her last official release with Hollywood. Recorded and written from 2017 to 2019, Carpenter originally intended to release a full album entitled Singular but ultimately split up the album due to differences in lyrical content. The album spans pop, R&B and dance genres, featuring personal topics including anxiety and self-reflection.
- Artist
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Genre
- Pop, R&B, Dance
- Release Era
- 2019
- Label
- Hollywood Records
- Predecessor
- Singular: Act I
- Key Themes
- Anxiety, Self-reflection, Confidence, Vulnerability
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Carpenter described Act II as 'Act I upside down' — where Act I makes you feel comfortable with yourself, Act II makes you feel a little uncomfortable with yourself, in the way that we need to grow. She called it a more vulnerable side of confidence, noting that there is also confidence in being vulnerable and strength in that weaker side of yourself. The album cover pictures Carpenter in shadows on a fire escape, which she said represented 'the flaws and the negativity that we let into our lives.' She wanted Act II to be a 'broken-down, less straightforward version' of Act I, calling it her most personal album yet in an interview with Marie Claire.
In Their Own Story
The album opens with 'In My Bed,' an electro-kissed and synth-laden song about overthinking and feeling overwhelmed by anxiety. Carpenter described it as 'opening the door' to Singular: Act II. The lead single 'Pushing 20' was written for her 20th birthday in May 2019 and talks about being older, wiser, and less willing to put up with other people's BS. 'Exhale,' which Carpenter describes as her most personal song yet, is a pop and R&B ballad about anxiety 'and not from some over-generalized, sugar-coated stance.' The album closes with 'Looking At Me,' a fun, lighthearted dance-pop and hip hop song influenced by Latin dancehall music, which became Carpenter's most streamed release under Hollywood Records.
Reader's Guide
Three singles were released for the album: 'Pushing 20' on March 8, 2019, 'Exhale' on May 3, 2019, and 'In My Bed' on June 7, 2019. 'I'm Fakin' was released as the only promotional single on July 12, 2019. The album features a guest appearance from American rapper Saweetie on 'I Can't Stop Me.' Carpenter teased Act II beginning in December 2018, and formally announced the album on June 4, 2019, after revealing the album artwork by sending it to fans in multiple cities using Apple's AirDrop feature. The album debuted at number 138 on the US Billboard 200 and reached number 53 on the United Kingdom's Album Downloads chart. 'Exhale' reached number 35 on the New Zealand Hot Singles.
Did You Know?
- Carpenter originally intended to release a full album called Singular but split it into two acts due to differences in lyrical content.
- The album artwork was revealed by Carpenter sending it to fans in multiple cities around the United States using Apple's AirDrop feature.
- 'Looking At Me' is Carpenter's most streamed release under Hollywood Records.
- Carpenter described 'Exhale' as her 'most personal song yet' — a ballad about anxiety 'not from some over-generalized, sugar-coated stance.'
- The album's release date was originally scheduled for July 26, 2019, but was pushed up to July 19, 2019.