Starfire (Caitlyn Smith album)
| Starfire | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 19, 2018 | |||
| Genre | Country pop | |||
| Length | 46:25 | |||
| Label | Monument | |||
| Producer | Paul Moak | |||
| Caitlyn Smith chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Starfire | ||||
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Starfire is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith. It was released on January 19, 2018, by Monument Records and was produced by Paul Moak.
Background
Prior to the release of the album, an extended play of the same name featuring five tracks was released in 2016.[1]
The title track was released as the lead single. Of the song, Smith explained "after so many years and so many closed doors, 'Starfire' really is my theme song." Having previously worked exclusively as a songwriter for other artists, Smith discussed the difference in the writing process when composing songs for her own album with Billboard, noting "with these songs it was a totally different approach to writing where I was able to dig around my own story and write some more honest stuff."[2]
Promotion
On February 20, 2018, Smith announced a 26-city United States tour to promote Starfire, beginning on April 5 at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts, and finishing on May 10 in Nashville's Mercy Lounge.[3]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [4] |
AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "the rare kind of singer/songwriter album where the exquisitely sculpted songs are given big, lavish arrangements that swing for the fences", but highlighted "This Town Is Killing Me" and "Tacoma" for showing Smith being "equally at home in more intimate settings", concluding that: "These are fully realized versions of Smith's repertoire, and if Starfire doesn't click commercially, at least it stands as a testament to all that this fine songwriter can do as a performer."[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Before You Called Me Baby" | 3:44 | |
| 2. | "Do You Think About Me" |
| 3:32 |
| 3. | "Starfire" |
| 4:32 |
| 4. | "East Side Restaurant" | 4:00 | |
| 5. | "Don't Give Up on My Love" |
| 4:07 |
| 6. | "This Town Is Killing Me" |
| 3:46 |
| 7. | "St. Paul" |
| 3:56 |
| 8. | "Tacoma" |
| 3:59 |
| 9. | "Scenes From a Corner Booth at Closing Time on a Tuesday" |
| 3:22 |
| 10. | "Contact High" | 4:12 | |
| 11. | "House of Cards" |
| 4:05 |
| 12. | "Cheap Date" |
| 3:10 |
Charts
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[5] | 82 |
| US Folk Albums (Billboard)[6] | 24 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[7] | 6 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[8]
- Matthew Berinato - Package Design
- Brad Blackwood - Mastering
- Michael Brauer - Mixing
- Tyler Burkum - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
- Sarah Buxton - Vocals (Background)
- Bobby Chase - Viola
- Eleonore Denig - Violin
- Jason Eskridge - Vocals (Background)
- Ian Fitchuk - Congas, Drums, Organ, Percussion, Piano (Upright), Vocals (Background), Wurlitzer
- Becky Fluke - Photography
- Cara Fox - Cello
- Sarah Johnson - Production Assistant
- Benjamin Kaufman - Violin
- Katie McCartney - Art Direction
- Paul Moak - Engineer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Hi String Guitar (Acoustic), Mixing, Organ, Pedal Steel Guitar, Piano (Upright), Pipe Organ, Producer, Vocals (Background)
- Gordie Sampson - Piano
- Caitlyn Smith - Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Tenor), Primary Artist, Vocals (Background)
- Brendan St. Gelais - Assistant
- Devin Vaughan - Engineer, Mixing
- Kevin Whitsett - Bass, Bass (Upright), Vocals (Background)
- Zack Zinck - Assistant
References
- ^ Hyman, Dan (July 19, 2016). "Caitlyn Smith Is Finally in the Spotlight". Elle. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ Newman, Melinda (December 19, 2017). "Caitlyn Smith Steps Into the Spotlight With 'Starfire' After Penning Songs for Meghan Trainor and Garth Brooks: Video Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (February 20, 2018). "Caitlyn Smith To Headline Starfire Tour This Spring". MusicRow. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Starfire - Caitlyn Smith". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ^ "Caitlyn Smith Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Caitlyn Smith Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Caitlyn Smith Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Starfire - Caitlyn Smith | Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.