Kaleidoscope

***Kaleidoscope*** is the fourth solo studio album by Lashardian singer Era. It was released on 24 August 2012 through Cyclops Records.

All of the songs on the album were written and produced solely by Era. Stylistically, the album was largely in the same vein as her previous release, *Black Cat*, focusing on experimental electronic music rather than Lashpop. Critics also noted an ethereal and dream pop sound to the music.

*Kaleidoscope* received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number-five on the Lashardian albums chart, before climbing to number-four, and was certified gold in Era's home country. It was also a large success abroad, reaching the top ten in six other countries.

The first single released from the album, "Goodbye", only charted in Lashardia, where it peaked at number-87; the second single, "Lullaby", achieved similar levels of success, reaching number-90 in Era's home country.

## Background and composition

Shortly after the release of *Black Cat*, Era purchased a beach house in Port of Lashardia, Pesa. She moved to Pesa permanently to write and record new music for her upcoming album, and according to her, was inspired by "the airy breezes, smell of the ocean, and ethereal aura of the beach". Era wrote and recorded upwards of 50 songs for *Kaleidoscope*. She then cut it down to 30, then to 25, and finally to 12.

Unlike her previous two releases, *Kaleidoscope* is not a concept album. However, in the same vein as her previous release, it has abandoned the Lashpop sound of her early music, instead largely incorporating experimental electronic music. Critics also noted the heavy use of dream pop.

The album opens with "Kaleidoscope Heart", an electronic ballad. Era also experiments with punk music, like with "The Tropics". She then returns to the electronic ballad with "Inside Me", before moving on to an upbeat electronica song, "Heroes". "Lullaby" is a ballad heavily incorporating dream pop. Era returns to electronic music with the EDM song "In the Dark", and continues the trend with "Recover". She then returns to dream pop with "It's Gonna Be", and then into the punk-infused "What's a Girl to Do". Era then moves to the electronic dream pop ballad, "Sky Blue", before moving on to the heavily electronic song "Lies", and finishing the album out with the delicate ballad, "Goodbye".

## Singles

"Goodbye" was released as the album's lead single on 17 August 2012. Originally, "In the Dark" was chosen as the lead single and was to be sent to mainstream radios, however, Era decided to change the lead single because "Goodbye" was her personal favorite. The song did not achieve chart success, only charting in Lashardia where it reached number-87. "Lullaby" was released as the album's second single on 16 November 2012. The song fared similarly to its predecessor, reaching number-90 in Lashardia.

### Promotional singles

"In the Dark" and "Sky Blue" were released as promotional singles on 22 August 2012 and 23 August 2012, respectively. Neither received chart success.

## Reception

### Critical

*Kaleidoscope* received generally positive reviews from music critics. On *Lasdimösikala*, the album has an overall rating of 71%, citing "generally positive reviews". Many critics complimented the inclusion of dream pop in the album, and noted tracks such as "Sky Blue", "Lies", "What's a Girl to Do", and "Kaleidoscope Heart" as being standouts.

### Commercial

*Kaleidoscope* debuted at number-four on the Lashardian albums chart, and was certified gold in her home country for sales of over 25,000 units. The following week it dropped to number-five, and then out of the top ten in its third week.

The album was also a success abroad, reaching the top ten in Adoriam, Consensum, Sodrax, Pesa, Populus Poetarum, and Zakharia. The album was certified 2x platinum in Pesa and platinum in Adoriam.

## Charts and certifications

### Certifications

 Lashardia *(LRI)* | Gold
 Pesa *(PRI)* | 2x platinum

## Release history

List of regions, release dates, showing formats, and label