OK Now

OK Now
Studio album by Jon McLaughlin
Released October 7, 2008
Recorded 2007—2008
Genre Electropop, pop
Length 49:32
Label Island
Producer John Fields, Tricky, Brett James, The-Dream
Jon McLaughlin chronology

Indiana
(2007)		 OK Now
(2008)		 Forever If Ever
(2011)
Promising Promises (2012)
Singles from OK Now
  1. "Beating My Heart"
    Released: July 22, 2008

OK Now is the second full-length studio album by American singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin. The album was released on October 7, 2008 in the United States. OK Now was preceded by the electropop-influenced first single, "Beating My Heart", in July 2008. Being released digitally in June 2008, the single charted in August 2008, and peaked at number 18 on Billboard's Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks.[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
ARTISTdirect [2]
Allmusic [3]
Jesusfreakhideout [4]
Stereo Subversion [5]

The album has received generally positive reviews from music critics. Allmusic refers to the albums as "unapologetic mainstream pop that's not heard too much at the tail-end of the 2000s" and points out that "OK Now illustrates that Jon McLaughlin has a greater gift for a big, bright hook than most of his pop singer/songwriter peers."[6] ARTISTdirect states that McLaughlin's new style "makes much of OK Now one of those albums that could soundtrack any number of life's heartfelt moments."[7] Jesusfreakhideout gave the album a 4 of out 5 rating, and praised the album by complimenting it on a risk that worked out well and his new style that "comes off as a clear winner and will unquestionably captivate fans until the next time around." It does pity the fact "Smack Into You" was not included on the album, by describing it as a song that "literally defines Jon's entire musical substance".[8] The song was re-recorded as "Smash Into You" by R&B/Pop singer Beyoncé and was included on the deluxe edition of her 2008 album, I Am… Sasha Fierce.

Stereo Subversion was less enthusiastic though, stating "the album suffers from a serious case of disorganization and drag" being "heavy on cheesy diary-entry balladry" and finally stating that "the album shows little of what makes Jon McLaughlin such an interesting songwriter, and it’s sad to think that the first introduction much of America will get to his music is this mediocre mess."[9]

Track listing

As confirmed by Amazon.com:[10]

  1. "Beating My Heart" (McLaughlin) – 3:53
  2. "Four Years" (McLaughlin) – 4:17
  3. "You Can Never Go Back" (Bleu, McLaughlin) – 4:00
  4. "Things That You Say" (James, McLaughlin, Verges) – 3:12
  5. "The Middle" (McLaughlin) – 4:36
  6. "You Are the One I Love" (McLaughlin, Reeves) – 3:54
  7. "Always on My Mind" (Arms, Band, McLaughlin) – 3:17
  8. "Dance Your Life Away" (Bleu, McLaughlin) – 3:01
  9. "Why I'm Talking to You" (McLaughlin) – 4:55
  10. "Throw My Love Around" (McLaughlin) – 4:32
  11. "We All Need Saving" (McLaughlin) – 3:56
  12. "Good Enough" (iTunes Bonus Track) – 3:22

Chart performance

OK Now debuted within the top 50 of the Billboard 200, at number forty-nine (#49), marking his highest debut to date, selling over 10,700. The next week though, it dropped to number 188, selling over 3,000 in its second week, to come at a total of nearly 14,000.

Charts

Chart (2008) Peak Sales
U.S. Billboard 200[11] 49 13,700
U.S. Billboard Top Digital Albums[12] 11
U.S. Billboard Top Christian Albums[13] 2
U.S. Billboard Top Rock Albums[14] 18

References

  1. ↑ "Beating My Heart" at peak position on Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks
  2. ↑ ARTISTdirect review
  3. ↑ Allmusic review
  4. ↑ Jesusfreakhideout review
  5. ↑ Stereo Subversion review
  6. ↑ "OK Now Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  7. ↑ Ryan Ogle (2008-11-01). "Jon McLaughlin: OK Now". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  8. ↑ Logan Leasure (2008-10-23). "Jon McLaughlin, OK Now Review". Jesusfreakhideout. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  9. ↑ Jonathan Sanders (2008-10-09). "Jon McLaughlin". Stereo Subversion. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  10. ↑ OK Now at Amazon
  11. ↑ OK Now peak positions on Billboard charts
  12. ↑ OK Now at peak position on Top Digital Albums
  13. ↑ OK Now at peak position on Top Christian Albums
  14. ↑ OK Now at peak position on Top Rock Albums

External links