Utopía

Utopía is the second studio album by Spanish-born Mexican recording artist Belinda. It was released on October 3, 2006 by EMI Televisa Music in Mexico and Latin America. The album was later released on September 17, 2007 to Europe and the United States. Recording sessions for the album took place during March to August 2006 at several recording studios, and production was handled primarily by Greg Wells, Greg Kurstin, Mitch Allan, Jimmy Harry and Lester Mendez.

Upon its release, Utopía received generally positive reviews from most music critics which noted a more mature sound and earned Belinda a Latin Grammy nominations for Best Female Pop Album and Song of the Year. It was re-released as Utopía² on September 25, 2007.^[8][9]

Background

Utopía marks Belinda's first album with EMI after leaving Sony BMG for creative differences in the Spring of 2006. Belinda is credited as executive producer for the record and recorded the album between March and July 2006 in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City. The record contains darker tones and is described as a more mature album for its lyrics and ballads, in contrast to Belinda, her debut. Inspiration was garnered from books including Thomas Moore's own Utopia. Belinda appeared on Disney's Channel's The Cheetah Girls 2 and contribuded to the TV movie soundtrack, which let to her label EMI wanting a re-release in English; she spend one week in Los Angeles recording Utopía 2, a CD/DVD released to Europe and North America by EMI International on September 25, 2007. Belinda made appearances on "Bailando por un Sueño", "Bailando por la Boda de Tus Sueños" and Buscando Timbiriche la nueva banda in order to promote the record.

Editions

• Utopía² is the special edition of this album. The material was released on September 25, 2007 in U.S., Latin America and Europe in several versions. New music Spanish ("Es De Verdad") although only appear in the USA version.^[10][11]
• The Brazilian Special Edition was released on November 12, 2007. It includes the songs "If We Were", "End Of The Day", "Takes One To Know One" and "Why Wait?" (From The Cheetah Girls 2).^[12][13]
• The Spanish Special Edition includes the 13 songs from the original edition and the addition of "If We Were", "End Of The Day", "Takes One To Know One" and "Why Wait?". This edition was released on November 19, 2007.^[14]
• The Italian Special Edition includes the songs "If We Were", "End Of The Day", "Takes One To Know One" instead of the Spanish versions, plus the songs "Why Wait?" and "Your Hero" (featuring Finley). The material was released on February 29, 2008.^[15]

Awards

On August 29, 2007, Belinda received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Album for her work in Utopía, and also the second single "Bella Traición" was nominated for Song of the Year. At the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America 2008, which were held in Mexico City, she also won two awards: Best Solo Artist and Video of the Year for her hit single Bella Traición. She won Best Female Pop Artist on the 20th edition of Premios Lo Nuestro beating fellow singers Julieta Venegas, Paulina Rubio and Yuridia.

Track listing

Notes

• "Utopía" is a Spanish version of an unreleased Sia song, entitled "The Corner".
• "Noche Cool" (Cool Night) is the Spanish version of the Pussycat Dolls song "Flirt", co-written by Kara DioGuardi and Nicole Scherzinger.
• "Contigo o Sin Ti" (With Or Without You) is a re-working of Esthero's song, "If Tha Mood", from her album Wikked Lil' Grrrls.
• "¿Quién Es Feliz?" (Who Is Happy?) is a Spanish version of an unreleased Skye Sweetnam song, entitled "Remember Me".

Singles

• "Ni Freud Ni Tu Mamá" was released as the lead single in Mexico and Latin America on September 19, 2006 and peaked number one in Mexico. It was later released internationally on August 28, 2007^[7] as If We Were for U.S. markets. Both versions of music video were shot by Scott Speer.
• "Bella Traición" was the second single and peaked number seven in the Mexican airplay chart. The music video was filmed in Mexico and was released on March 5.
• "Luz Sin Gravedad" was released as the third single of the album. It peaked on the top ten spots in numerous countries, including Argentina, Peru and Chile. An English version was released as the seventh and last single from the album, released in Europe, both versions with a music video.
• "Alguien Más" was the fourth single and had minor succes. A music video was planned but for unknown reasons it was cancelled.
• "Es De Verdad" was the fifth single, released in Europe and released as a promo single in Mexico.

EPs

Months after the original album was released, EMI released different EP's, Utopía 2 EP,^[16] remixes of "Ni Freud Ni Tu Mamá", "Bella Traición", "Luz Sin Gravedad", and the English versions. The EPs were released between 2006 and 2007.

Credits and personnel

• Belinda: vocals.
• Greg Wells: guitar, drums, programming.
• Jimmy Harry: guitar, programming.
• John Allen: drums.
• James Rudder: Assistant engineer.

Chart performance and certifications

The album debuted at number 22, later reaching number three on the Mexican charts. Compared to her previous work it had minor commercial success, but was her highest-selling debut in the United States.

Sales and certifications

References