Album: Hopeless Romantic

Introduction
"Hopeless Romantic" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Michelle Branch, released on April 7, 2017, by Verve Records. Following the release of her previous album, "Hotel Paper", in 2003, Branch experienced many hold-ups in her music profession due to identify disagreements and personal factors. "Hopeless Romantic" marks her return to the music scene after a 14-year hiatus, showcasing a mature and developed sound that diverges from her previous pop-rock roots.

Background and Production
Throughout her hiatus, Michelle Branch released an EP entitled "Everything Comes and Goes" in 2010 and became part of a nation duo called The Wreckers from 2005 to 2007. Nevertheless, her career as a solo artist was stagnant due to contractual concerns with her record label, Warner Bros., leading to the cancellation of her desired third album, "West Coast Time".

Eventually, Branch signed with Verve Records in 2015, allowing her to pursue her musical vision without disturbance. Branch has actually explained "Hopeless Romantic" as a more personal album affected by her life experiences in the stepping in years, including her divorce from her other half, Teddy Landau, and her relationship with Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, who produced the album and became her fiancé.

The album was taped in different areas, consisting of Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City. It took nearly two years to finish, with Branch and Carney working together on the songwriting, production, and instrumentation.

Musical Style and Themes
"Hopeless Romantic" accepts a darker, synth-driven noise, showing Branch's development as an artist and her impacts from alternative and indie rock bands such as Tame Impala, Portishead, and Massive Attack. This departure from her pop-rock roots showcases Branch try out electronic textures and atmospheres, creating a more modern-day and advanced noise.

The album's subject handle styles of heartbreak, love, and desire, as its title recommends. A lot of the tracks are influenced by Branch's personal experiences of failed relationships and finding new love. Lyrics in tunes such as "Fault Line" and "Carry Me Home" explore vulnerability, grief, and self-questioning, while "Best You Ever" and "Living a Lie" display screen moments of defiance and self-reliance.

Release and Reception
"Hopeless Romantic" debuted at number 143 on the Billboard 200 chart and got normally favorable evaluations from critics, who praised Branch's development as an artist and her reinvention of her noise. The album was deemed a successful return, with numerous reviews noting Branch's decision in overcoming the various challenges she dealt with during her hiatus.

Some critics, however, felt that the album's slower, moodier tracks and its lengthy 14-track run made it feel somewhat dull. Nevertheless, the album was usually well-received and marked a crucial turning point in Branch's career as she restored herself as a pertinent and ingenious artist in the industry.

Conclusion
"Hopeless Romantic" is a significant and triumphant return for Michelle Branch, showing her development as an artist and her strength in getting rid of the different obstacles she dealt with during her decade-long hiatus. The album showcases a more reflective, mature, and diverse noise, with individual themes and innovative production showing Branch's experiences in life and love. Although it differs her previous pop-rock roots, the album demonstrates Branch's adaptability as an artist and her capacity for ongoing success in the future.