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Pool is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Lena, released on March 19, 2021, through Deep End Records via Republic Records. The album received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising Lena's mature songwriting and vocals despite her young age. The lead single, "Broken Dreams," was well-received, but it was the album's second single, "Electric Heart," that really put Lena on the map. The song received significant radio airplay and charted in the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single, "Lost in the Moment," was also a success, topping the charts and earning Lena several award nominations. The album stayed at #1 on the Billboard 200 for 10 weeks and continued to chart in the top 10 for an additional 30 weeks. The deluxe edition of the album was released on October 15, 2021, which included the chart-topping single "Moonlit Memories." Overall, "Pool" has been praised as a stunning debut from a talented artist who is sure to make a big impact in the music industry.

Background
Lena is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame with her debut album "Pool". She was discovered by a record executive while playing the lead in a musical at her high school. After signing with a major record label, Lena began working on her debut album, which would ultimately become "Pool". She collaborated with producer Chipp on the project and spent several months recording and perfecting the tracks. The album's lead single, "Broken Dreams", was released in late 2020 and received positive reviews from critics. The second single, "Electric Heart", followed soon after and helped to build momentum for the album's eventual release. However, the release of "Pool" was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the music industry and caused many artists to push back their album release dates. Despite this setback, Lena and Chipp continued to work on the album, fine-tuning the tracks and adding new material.

Writing and production
According to Lena, the album was inspired by the concept of water and its many forms, including pools, oceans, and rain. She said in interviews that she wanted the album to feel like a journey, with each song representing a different stage in a person's relationship with water.

Music and lyrics
Produced by Chipp, the album blends dreamy pop and electronic sounds, with introspective lyrics that explore the themes of youth, love, and self-discovery.

The album opens with "Dive In," an ethereal track that sets the tone for the rest of the album with its ambient sounds and dreamy vocals. "Broken Dreams" follows, with its pulsating beat and introspective lyrics about heartbreak and letting go.

"Electric Heart" showcases Lena's vocal range, with its soaring chorus and upbeat tempo. The song's lyrics explore the complexities of love, with Lena singing about the highs and lows of falling for someone.

"Reflections" is a haunting ballad that explores the theme of self-discovery, with Lena singing about the process of finding oneself and moving forward. "Night Swimming," one of the album's standout tracks, features a stripped-down production that allows Lena's vocals to shine. The song's lyrics are about taking risks and embracing the unknown.

The album's lead single, "Broken Dreams," is a standout track that features a catchy chorus and a pulsating beat. The song's lyrics are about heartbreak and letting go, with Lena singing about the pain of a failed relationship.

"Sunken Treasures" is a moody track that showcases Lena's vocals and the album's atmospheric production. The song's lyrics are about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment.

The album's second single, "Electric Heart," is a playful track that features an upbeat tempo and an infectious chorus. The song's lyrics are about the ups and downs of love, with Lena singing about the unpredictability of falling for someone.

"Float Away" is a slow-burning ballad that showcases Lena's emotional depth and vocal range. The song's lyrics are about finding solace in music and the power of escapism.

"Waves" is a bittersweet track that features a haunting melody and introspective lyrics. The song's lyrics are about the fleeting nature of youth and the importance of cherishing each moment.

"Depths" is a haunting track that explores the theme of self-discovery, with Lena singing about the process of finding oneself and moving forward. "The Deep End" is a brooding track that features a powerful chorus and introspective lyrics about the struggles of growing up.

Art direction
The art direction of "Pool" was a collaborative effort between Lena and a team of designers and creatives. The album cover features a photograph of Lena submerged in water, surrounded by floating flowers and leaves. The image was shot by renowned photographer Sarah Lee and styled by Zoe Costello.

The album's artwork was designed to reflect the album's themes of introspection and self-discovery, with Lena as the central focus of the image, surrounded by natural elements that evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. The use of muted tones and soft lighting creates a dreamy, ethereal quality that is carried throughout the album's visuals.

The album's interior artwork features additional photographs of Lena in various water settings, such as a pool and the ocean, as well as underwater shots that further explore the album's aquatic theme. The use of water in the album's art direction also ties into the album's overarching themes of reflection and renewal, with water serving as a metaphor for the ebb and flow of emotions and personal growth.

The design team behind the album's artwork also worked on the album's promotional materials, including posters, social media graphics, and music videos. They utilized the same soft, dreamy aesthetic to create a cohesive visual identity for the album that complemented its introspective and emotional content.

Overall, the art direction and artwork of "Pool" was a carefully crafted and thoughtfully executed visual representation of the album's themes and content, with Lena as the focal point of the album's introspective and tranquil visuals.

Release and promotion
Marketing for the album began in late 2020, with the release of the lead single "Broken Dreams" on March 13, 2020. The music video for the song was released on the same day, featuring Lena walking through a deserted cityscape. The single received positive reviews from music critics and gained traction on social media, leading to anticipation for the upcoming album.

In July of 2020, Lena released the second single from the album, "Electric Heart", accompanied by a music video featuring Lena in a neon-lit club. The song showcased a more uptempo and danceable side of Lena's music, and was well received by fans and critics alike.

In the lead up to the album's release, Lena released several teaser clips on social media, giving fans a glimpse of the album's artwork and visual direction. The album cover features Lena submerged in a pool of water, with the album title displayed in bold, black letters.

Upon release, "Pool" received critical acclaim, with many critics praising Lena's songwriting and vocals. The album's themes of self-discovery, love, and loss were also noted. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making Lena the youngest solo artist to achieve this feat in over a decade.

To promote the album, Lena embarked on a series of virtual performances known as the "Pool Sessions". These intimate shows took place in small venues and featured stripped-down versions of the album's tracks, showcasing Lena's raw vocal ability and the album's strong songwriting. Footage from these sessions was later released online, generating buzz among fans who were unable to attend the shows.

In September of 2021, Lena announced the upcoming release of a deluxe edition of "Pool", featuring several new tracks that fit with the album's overall vibe. The release of the deluxe edition and the new single "Moonlit Memories" brought the album back to the top of the charts, showcasing the enduring popularity of Lena's music.

Critical response
Lena's debut album "Pool" was met with critical acclaim upon its release. The album's unique blend of alternative and pop sounds, captivating vocals, and relatable lyrics drew widespread praise from music critics.

Rolling Stone described "Pool" as a "refreshing take on pop music," highlighting Lena's ability to deliver a cohesive and original album. Billboard called the album a "triumph of modern pop music," noting Lena's infectious beats and thoughtful lyrics.

Pitchfork praised "Pool" as a journey through the ups and downs of young adulthood, commending Lena's relatable lyrics and catchy melodies. NME echoed this sentiment, calling the album a "promising debut" that showcases Lena's talent and potential.

The Guardian described "Pool" as a mesmerizing debut that explores the complexities of young love and self-discovery. Lena's haunting vocals and ethereal production were noted as standout features of the album, creating a dream-like atmosphere that draws the listener in.

Lena's debut album 'Pool' received positive reviews from music critics. On review aggregator Metacritic, the album holds a score of 78 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Overall, Lena's "Pool" is seen as a solid debut effort that showcases her unique sound and songwriting abilities. The album's critical reception is a testament to Lena's talent and potential as a major force in the pop music genre.

Commercial performance
Lena's debut album "Pool" was released on March 19, 2021, and quickly made an impact on the charts. The album debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200, and #3 on the UK Albums Chart, cementing Lena's status as a rising star in the music industry.

The album's lead single, "Broken Dreams," was released on March 13, 2020, and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up single, "Electric Heart," was released on July 2, 2020, and reached #5 on the chart. "Lost in the Moment," released on December 4, 2020, and "Float Away," released on March 19, 2021, both reached #1 on the chart, further solidifying Lena's chart success.

"Pool" received critical acclaim upon release, with a Metacritic score of 78 based on reviews. Rolling Stone praised the album's unique blend of alternative and pop sounds, while Billboard hailed it as a triumph of modern pop music. Pitchfork noted the album's cohesive and relatable themes, while The Guardian praised Lena's mesmerizing vocals and ethereal production.

The album's success was due in part to its strong marketing and promotion. Lena worked closely with her team to create striking visuals and immersive social media campaigns, engaging with fans and building excitement for the album's release. The album's cover art, featuring Lena floating in a pool of water, became an iconic image associated with the album.

As Lena's debut album, "Pool" was a major achievement, showcasing her talent and potential as a rising star in the music industry. The album's success and critical acclaim set the stage for Lena's future releases and cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with in the pop music scene.

Accolades
Lena's debut album "Pool" has received critical acclaim since its release in March 2021. The album has garnered several accolades, including nominations for prestigious music awards.

At the 2022 Grammy Awards, "Pool" was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album, and the lead single "Broken Dreams" was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance. While the album did not win in either category, the nominations served as a testament to the impact that Lena had made with her debut effort.

The album was also nominated for Album of the Year and Best New Artist at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, and Lena performed a medley of "Electric Heart" and "Lost in the Moment" during the show.

Additionally, the album received multiple nominations at the 2021 American Music Awards, including Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Lena performed a stripped-down version of "Float Away" during the awards ceremony.

In addition to these award nominations, "Pool" has been included on several year-end lists by music publications. Rolling Stone named it one of the Best Pop Albums of 2021, praising Lena's unique blend of alternative and pop sounds, while Pitchfork included it on their list of the Best Experimental Albums of 2021, citing Lena's innovative approach to songwriting and production.