Are You Ready For

## Singles from *Are You Ready For*

1. "Easy"
Released: November 14, 2014
2. "Top Level"
Released: June 19, 2015

***Are You Ready For*** (stylised as ***RUE4***) is the debut extended play by American-Australian hip hop duo Round2. It was released on June 26, 2015, through Red Rose Records. Primarily a hip hop project, the EP leans into various commercial pop rap stylings, while lyrically exploring themes of power, confidence, and assertiveness. The EP was co-written by Round2 members Emerald Isabella Arcadio and Bennett Lucson alongside Platvian-based musician Aurora Renée Jaymesson, and co-produced by Lucson and Jaymesson.

## Background and development

Following their signing as a duo, Round2 were scheduled a joint studio session with newcomer Aurora after an absence from her previously assigned creative partner the week prior. Aurora's creative energy instantly aligned with that of Round2's, and the trio had written and recorded a rough demo of "Easy" within their first studio session together. Upon the track's completion, Red Rose Records decided that for marketing purposes Aurora would not appear on the song's credits. This was thought to strengthen Round2's image as a competent rap duo, and preserve public perception of Aurora as a budding solo pop star given the initial positive reception to her debut single.

As Aurora's solo singles continued to perform well on the charts, Red Rose Records prioritised promotion of her *Platinum Heart* era, leaving Round2's project on the back burner. After the release of Aurora's album, sessions for Round2's upcoming project resumed sporadically throughout February–April 2015, during which time songs "Expectations" and the EP's title track "Are You Ready For" were written and recorded. Fearing they were still missing a hit radio single, one final session was scheduled in June 2015 amid sessions for Aurora's *Silhouettes* album. Believing Aurora's name would help the duo's chart performance, Aurora was featured on the single "Top Level", and retroactively credited on prior single "Easy".

## Singles and promotion

"Easy" was released as the lead single from *Are You Ready For* on November 14, 2014. Upon release, the single was met with mixed-to-positive reviews and became a controversial debut among Platvia's pop music scene. It debuted at #11 on the Platvia HitList, receiving a rating of 6.5 by Platvian music critics.

"Top Level" featuring Aurora was released as the second and final single from the EP on June 19, 2015. It was received more favourably than its precursor, with most critics praising Aurora's verse and its pop rap vibe. It peaked at #7 on the Platvia HitList, and received a 7.96 rating by Platvian music critics.

## Critical reception

*Are You Ready For* received mixed-to-favourable reviews from Platvian music critics, naming the Aurora-featured "Top Level" the project's standout track. The EP received a combined Platacritic Platascore of 73/100.

## Commercial performance

*Are You Ready For* debuted at #4 on the Platvian EP Chart dated July 7, 2015, spending one week at its peak. The EP has spent a combined total of 29 weeks on the chart.

It was ranked at #9 on the Platvian Year End EP Chart for 2015.

## Track listing

All tracks are co-written by Emerald Isabella Arcadio, Bennett Lucson, and Aurora Renée Jaymesson, and co-produced by Lucson and Jaymesson.

 **Total length:** | 0:00