Complexity (M)

## ***Complexity***Single by Monica Lacroix

"***Complexity***" is a song recorded by American singer Monica Lacroix. The song was released by Hollywood Records (known outside of release purposes as Hollywood Lux Records) on August 5, 2013 as the first official single from the artist, alongside her first single from her first studio album, *The Emancipation Of Monica (2014)*.

The song was written by Monica, Max Martin, and Greg Kurstlin. The single is produced aimed with minimalistic elements while also keeping a catchy mid-tempo to the song. Martin and Oscar Holton served a producers over the track. Monica labeled this single as one of her most personal singles in her entire discography as it opens up on her self worth and troubles of valuing herself.

The music video accompanied with the single features the artist being buried alive with thought bubbles which interpolate the human brain and stress as such from a teen's point of perspective. The video touches on Monica's childhood with the thought of fame, and the buildup that it can eventually validate a person's value to the artist.

## Background, Development & Production

The song was written by Monica, Max Martin, and Greg Kurstlin. The single is produced aimed with minimalistic elements while also keeping a catchy mid-tempo to the song. In the backing of the chorus, the listener can hear the artists tears and pleas while her vocals soothe over it. It was reported that Monica broke down in the studio over the stress of creating the single and trying to make it perfect for people. The song touch(s) on a person's self-worth and that when given all the attention by the media or people in general that there is a standard being held and if you don't meet it, you'll just fail in everyone's eyes. In the closing moments of the song, the artist reveals she still hasn't found her own worth but is getting there as she gets older, and that she hopes the listener will have found theirs soon too.

## Commercial performance & charting

Complexity debuted worldwide across every major chart at number one selling over 3 million equivalent units worldwide, which now sets an all time record for Monica's highest weekly sales. Complexity debuted #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 earning Monica her second consecutive US number one and her second number one debut.

Complexity debuted on the MVerse Top Videos at #1 with over 49,200,855 views within the week. It fell to #2 on the chart the following week with 24M views.

Complexity sold over 549,002 units in the United States first week, earning Monica her biggest opening week in the country, and her second number one on the chart. In Canada, the single sold over 68,413 units in its first week earning her second consecutive number one on the chart. In Latin America, the single sold 144,829 units, in the UK 215,085 units, in Europe 821,671 units, in Oceania 50,218 units, and in Asia a whopping 1,162,144 units. It allowed the song to debut first week number one across all the charts.

In it's second week on the US Billboard Hot 100, *Complexity* remained #1 gaining an additional 100K sales of units becoming a record for the year with 600k units being sold.

* Monica performed the single on The View in the following week.
* Monica performed the single accompanied with Destined and various covers as she headlined Rock In Rio which went from September 23 to October 4 of 2013.

On December 26th, 2013 just two - three months following it's release, the RIAA confirmed the single sold over 10 million units equivalent in the United States giving Monica her second Diamond certification. Monica is the first and only artist to achieve this feat back to back.

## Critical reception

The single was given a 68 out of 100 by MetaWorld, an online music critic organization. The single was given mixed reviews with RollingStone praising Monica for the change in sound and dynamic from her previous release, while also stating the lyrics were a bit of a mess at times. Various other critics gave the song a 4/5 while some gave it a 2/5 citing the production as it's grand masterpiece.

## Accolades

 Billboard Music Awards
 People's Choice Awards
 Best Music Video
 2014
 Best Music Video