Potential (Ashton Stone Album)

*Starlight (Ashton Stone Album)*  (2008)

***Potential*** is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Ashton Stone. It was released on October 25, 2010, by A1 Records. Primarily a pop record, *Potential* also contains elements of disco, electronic, soft rock, R&B, and Hi-NRG. Stone co-wrote and co-produced the album, with producer's Lorenzo Fox, Ian Kirkpatrick, SG Lewis and Cirkut, whom he had worked with previously on his debut album *Starlight.*

The music of *Potential* stems from the synth-pop and dance-pop styles of his previous material while incorporating different forms of instrumentation from that on his previous releases, such as soft rock and R&B, while its lyrical topics revolve around young love, dancing, self-empowerment, and desire, with most being topics explored by stone on his previous album, *Potential* contained a more mature take on the subject matter.

*Potential* received critical acclaim upon its release, with reviews praising Stone's vocals and songwriting, appreciating its progression from Stone's earlier works. Many reviews praised the varying musical styles, with several music publications included the album in their year-end best-of lists. Potential received three Grammy Award nominations, going on to win all three nominations including for Album of the Year.

*Potential* debuted atop various major music charts worldwide, including the US *Billboard* 200, where the record sold 2.14 million copies in its first week—the highest first-week album sales since Jenny Grace's Liar album in 2008. It has since been certified 12x Platinum (Diamond) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Five of the albums singles-"Falling Faster", "Strangers", "Stuck On You", "I Think About You" and "Something I'll Remember"—reached number-one on the *Billboard* Hot 100 in the US. At the time of its release, "Falling Faster" was the fastest-selling single in iTunes history. Promotional singles from the album, "Once More" and "Beautiful", also managed to chart in Japan and Europe.

Stone has performed songs from the album on different occasions, such as the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards and the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, as well as on worldwide television appearances and in other events, including his second headlining concert tour the *Potential World Tour* (2011-2012).

## Background

In October 2009, Stone disclosed that he began work on a new album, saying that he had written most of the songs for the proposed album. Meanwhile producer Ian Kirkpatrick described the album as Stone's "Magnum Opus" as his manager, Levi Seaton, stated that Stone's career was about to reach new heights. A few months after, Stone exclaimed that he had finished writing songs for the album: "It came so quickly. I've been working on it for months, and I feel very strongly that it's finished right now. Some artists take years. I don't. I write music every day." Stone alluded to Potential during an interview with Billboard Magazine, answering what word he would use to describe career. In another interview Stone declared the album his "most honest, and personal" as he continued, "the new album is just perfect, It's the most personal music I've ever written, and I feel very thrilled with what we accomplished so far, and can't wait for the fans to hear it."

## Writing and Recording

Stone began writing for the album as early as mid 2009, while doing media promotion for his debut album, with the songs initially being written in similar vein as his debut album, but by late 2009 Stone had changed directions after meeting Ian Kirkpatrick, whom he worked on much of the album with and acted as a creative director once the recording sessions began during the last two legs of the Potential World Tour. Besides sessions on tour buses during the Australian leg of the tour, recording sessions and mixing for the album took place at a variety of studios: Abbey Road in London, England, Studio 301 in Sydney, Australia, A1 Studios in New York City. Stone acted as the executive producer, with A1 Records approval granted after Stone proved capable with his debut album. Stone initially planned enlisted Cirkut who he worked extensively on his debut album with, to produce and write the album exclusively with, but upon meeting Kirkpatrick, Stone decided to change direction and also enlisted SG Lewis and Lorenzo Fox. The album became heavily influenced by 80s love ballads, and 90s pop and R&B, with Stone claiming many influences from Kaden Walsh, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Madonna and Angelo Reyes.

## Personnel

**Production**

* Ashton Stone - vocals, writer, producer, executive producer, creative director
* Ian Kirkpatrick - vocal production, writer, producer, creative director, programming, mixing
* Cirkut - writer, producer, programming, mastering, mixing
* SG Lewis - vocal production, writer, producer, programming, additional production
* Lorenzo Fox - writer, producer, programming, additional production, additional programming
* Darren Moore - mixing, mastering, engineering, additional production
* Levi Seaton - management
* Aubrey Parks - management, marketing director
* Leo James - assistant
* Alex Gill - A&R coordinator
* Hayden Lawson - art director, photography, graphic design
* Liam Spencer - photography
* Talon Stafford & Colt Harrell - stylist, wardrobe
* Erin Kelly - design