Tracklist
album info:
Verified yes
Discs1
Rank−
Released2011-11-04
Record labelIsland
Charts
AddedNovember 3rd, 2011
Last updatedSeptember 9th, 2013
AboutBattleground is the second studio album by British-Irish boy band The Wanted. It was released on 4 November 2011 through Island Records.
In January 2011, the group began work on their second studio album with previous songwriter and producer Steve Mac. In February 2011, it was revealed the group would be releasing the official Comic Relief single for 2011. In April 2011, the group embarked on their first headline tour, playing 16 dates in 12 different UK cities. The tour was in support of their debut album The Wanted but whilst on tour, the group previewed the song, "Lightning" from their new album. The track was co-written by the band and Ed Drewett. Max George confirmed on 28 September that the album was complete and the following day, Nathan Sykes confirmed the album would be released with the title Battleground.
In March 2012, Billboard reported that Battleground was "slated to arrive stateside this fall" as the band's second US release, after their debut EP. This did not happen, however, and instead their first album to be released in the US will be their third overall album, Word of Mouth.
The album debuted at number 4 in Ireland, becoming their first top ten album in the country. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 5. It sold 47,530 copies in its first week. Although debuting at one position lower than their debut album, its sales were 22.91% copies higher. The album has since been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
The album received mostly favourable reviews from music critics. Jon O'Brien wrote for AllMusic that "Battleground, is disappointingly a little more pedestrian than its predecessor", writing that "Battleground should still consolidate their position as heirs to the boy band throne, but with the likes of One Direction now snapping at their heels, they'll have to rediscover their inventive streak in the future if they are to ever take the crown." Nick Levine wrote for BBC that the album is "a solid pop platter that's not lacking in personality – even if the latter does manifest itself in a smattering of lyrics clunkier than testing day at the seat belt factory." Robert Copsey wrote for Digital Spy that "Though the end result shows that they may have taken the battle of the boybands a touch too seriously, much to their credit they come out the other side largely unscathed." David Griffiths wrote for 4Music that "it's an album which wisely leaves the listener wanting more and suggests that this is a band with a very bright future." Matthew Horton wrote a mixed review for Virgin Media that "It's a curiously bloodless affair though, with none of the boys yet to establish an identity, and too much sails past without leaving an impression."
In January 2011, the group began work on their second studio album with previous songwriter and producer Steve Mac. In February 2011, it was revealed the group would be releasing the official Comic Relief single for 2011. In April 2011, the group embarked on their first headline tour, playing 16 dates in 12 different UK cities. The tour was in support of their debut album The Wanted but whilst on tour, the group previewed the song, "Lightning" from their new album. The track was co-written by the band and Ed Drewett. Max George confirmed on 28 September that the album was complete and the following day, Nathan Sykes confirmed the album would be released with the title Battleground.
In March 2012, Billboard reported that Battleground was "slated to arrive stateside this fall" as the band's second US release, after their debut EP. This did not happen, however, and instead their first album to be released in the US will be their third overall album, Word of Mouth.
The album debuted at number 4 in Ireland, becoming their first top ten album in the country. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 5. It sold 47,530 copies in its first week. Although debuting at one position lower than their debut album, its sales were 22.91% copies higher. The album has since been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
The album received mostly favourable reviews from music critics. Jon O'Brien wrote for AllMusic that "Battleground, is disappointingly a little more pedestrian than its predecessor", writing that "Battleground should still consolidate their position as heirs to the boy band throne, but with the likes of One Direction now snapping at their heels, they'll have to rediscover their inventive streak in the future if they are to ever take the crown." Nick Levine wrote for BBC that the album is "a solid pop platter that's not lacking in personality – even if the latter does manifest itself in a smattering of lyrics clunkier than testing day at the seat belt factory." Robert Copsey wrote for Digital Spy that "Though the end result shows that they may have taken the battle of the boybands a touch too seriously, much to their credit they come out the other side largely unscathed." David Griffiths wrote for 4Music that "it's an album which wisely leaves the listener wanting more and suggests that this is a band with a very bright future." Matthew Horton wrote a mixed review for Virgin Media that "It's a curiously bloodless affair though, with none of the boys yet to establish an identity, and too much sails past without leaving an impression."