The MF Life received generally positive reviews from critics.
Critical reception Professional ratings Review scores It also charted at number 32 on the United Kingdom's R&B Albums Chart. In Switzerland, The MF Life charted for eight weeks and peaked at number 23. By May 2012, the album had sold 69,500 copies in the United States. It sold 16,200 copies in its second week on the chart. When The MF Life was released, it sold 34,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. It included dates at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and the Austin Urban Music Festival in Texas.
Fiona promoted the album with a national tour throughout March 2012.
Originally scheduled for a 2011 release, The MF Life was released on March 20, 2012, on SRC and Universal Republic. It peaked at number eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "4 AM", was sent to urban radio stations on August 30, 2011.
The album's lead single, "Gone and Never Coming Back", peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Music writers have noted Fiona's singing voice on the album as slightly husky and emotive. The album's lyrics deal with themes of longing, aggrievement, and romantic triumph. " 4 AM" draws on the hazy synth of Drake's " Marvins Room" and the emotional aesthetic of Alicia Keys' " Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart". Songs such as "L.O.V.E." and "Watch Me Work" are styled in soul the guitar-laden "Break Down These Walls" and "Wrong Side of a Love Song" have rock elements. It's about the balance of life, the yin and the yang, the good and the bad, all of that." Music and lyrics Īccording to Sarah Godfrey of The Washington Post, The MF Life expands on the traditional R&B influences of Fiona's debut album, with some songs Andy Kellman from AllMusic said delve into soft rock and classic soul influences. I feel it would be dishonest if everything was all about glitz and glamour. It can be viewed as the ‘Mighty Fine Life’ in times of triumph and success, but also the ‘Mother-F-ing Life’ when I'm dealing with frustration or misfortune. In a press release, Fiona explained the album's title, "the ‘MF’ in the album title represents my initials, but it also gets at the many facets of myself as an artist and a young woman. Recording sessions for the album took place at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, 4220 Feng Shui Studios in Los Angeles, Circle House Studios, The Hit Factory Criteria, and Body Music in Miami, Chevy Shack and Losta Studios in Atlanta, Summit Sound in New York, and The Armoury Vault in Toronto, Canada. Cole and Nas to contribute to the songs "This Time" and "Running", respectively. In an interview with Gary Graff, she said that the delay in the album's release allowed her to reach out to rappers J. As of May 2012, the album has sold 69,500 copies in the United States.Īfter the shutdown of Universal Motown Records, Fiona was transferred to Universal Republic Records. Fiona promoted it with a national tour throughout March 2012. Upon its release, The MF Life received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production, songwriting and Fiona's vocals.
It produced three singles, including the R&B hit " 4 AM". The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, selling 34,000 copies in its first week. Its music expands on the traditional R&B influences of Fiona's 2009 debut album, The Bridge, and its songs deal with themes of aggrievement, longing, and romantic triumph. Production was handled by several record producers, including No I.D., Salaam Remi, Andrea Martin, Rico Love, Los Da Mystro and T-Pain, among others. Hard-lovin' emotional bridges.The MF Life is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Melanie Fiona, released March 20, 2012, on SRC Records and Universal Republic Records. Melanie Fiona crossed many bridges to arrive at The MF Life. Title: Melanie Fiona – The MF Life (Deluxe Edition) (2012)