Album: Celebrate

Introduction
"Celebrate" is the 2nd studio album by American recording artist and former American Idol contestant James Durbin. Launched on April 8, 2014, by Wind-up Records, the album showcases a more energetic and dynamic side of Durbin as compared to his launching album, "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster". The album is an emotive and varied mix of pop, rock, and even electronic impacts, deftly showing Durbin's rock star expertise and vocal variety. The album debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard 200 chart and has actually received normally positive evaluations from both critics and fans.

Background and recording
Following the release of his debut album, Durbin began working on "Celebrate" as early as 2012, tweak his noise and creative instructions. Durbin collaborated with a number of high-profile manufacturers, songwriters, and artists, consisting of Scott Stevens (Halestorm, Shinedown), Ted Bruner (Katy Perry, Tokio Hotel), Griffin Boice (Rob Zombie, Black Veil Brides), and Aimee Proal (Kelly Clarkson, Simple Plan).

In an interview with Billboard, Durbin went over how this album symbolizes a unified message about being real to oneself, no matter category, mentioning, "I wanted an actual general sense of me and what I represented and what my message is to come across in the album". Mostly a rock album, "Celebrate" also includes pop and dance elements that showcase Durbin's flexibility, vulnerability, and individual growth because his American Idol journey.

Track list and song analysis
The album consists of 11 tracks that expertly blend Durbin's rock roots with a contagious pop-meets-dance sound. The opening track, "Children Under the Sun", sets the tone with its appealing tune, anthemic chorus, and motivating message. It is followed by "Parachute", a powerfully emotional track that showcases Durbin's exceptional singing range, resilience, and hope in the face of misfortune.

"Love in Ruins" and "Fool for You" explore the styles of love, loss, and the battles of relationships, while "Live Right Now" takes on a feel-good message, encouraging listeners to let go of their concerns and live in the moment. "You Can't Believe" is an uplifting earworm, while "Issues" is an electronic-infused number that brings the album into the realms of dance and electronica.

The album also consists of the mid-tempo ballad "Celebrate", which functions as both a reflection on Durbin's journey and a message about taking the day and valuing the easy minutes in life. "Real Love", with its catchy pop-rock chorus, "Louder Than a Loaded Gun," and "Save Me" complete the album, showcasing Durbin's deft ability to instill rock and pop elements into his music.

Reception and album legacy
"Celebrate" has actually gotten usually positive evaluations, with critics praising Durbin's distinct ability to mix rock with pop and electronic components. The album's songs, consisting of "Parachute" and "Celebrate", have actually been met recognition for their memorable hooks and inspirational messages. Fans, too, have embraced Durbin's advancement and the album's more upbeat sound.

In 2020, Durbin opted to re-release his cover of "You Make It Real" by James Morrison, a benefit track initially included just on the Japanese edition of "Celebrate", to raise funds for mental health relief in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Durbin's journey through American Idol, integrated with the success of "Celebrate", has strengthened his location in the music industry as a complex and talented artist. The album continues to influence and entertain fans worldwide with its message of hope, love, and perseverance.