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The Good Witch (album)

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The Good Witch is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Maisie Peters. It was released on 23 June 2023 by Gingerbread Man Records and Asylum Records.

The Good Witch
Studio album by
Maisie Peters
Released23 June 2023 (2023-06-23)
Recorded2022
Genre
Length47:09
Label
Producer
Maisie Peters chronology
You Signed Up for This
(2021) 		The Good Witch
(2023)
Singles from The Good Witch
  1. "Body Better"
    Released: 27 January 2023
  2. "Lost the Breakup"
    Released: 31 March 2023
  3. "Two Weeks Ago"
    Released: 26 May 2023
  4. "Run"
    Released: 23 June 2023

Peters took inspiration from Greek mythology whilst making the record and has described it as her "twisted version" of a break-up album. She wrote the album over the duration of a year whilst touring and has said that the chronological track listing is a reflection of her career highs and personal lows.

Background

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"This is my heart and soul, my blood on the page, the collection of stories that I've managed to capture in the past year. A true chronicle of my life in recent history. [...] It ducks and weaves between the real and surreal, and centres my own universe, of which I am of course the keeper of the keys and the holder of the cards – the good witch, if you will. It goes from light to dark in the flip of a switch and I hope takes you on a journey whereby the end you feel like you've gotten lost in someone else's planet for a bit."

— Peters reflecting on creating The Good Witch, upon the album's announcement[3]

Peters was hopeful that people would notice the maturity developed in her songwriting between The Good Witch and her debut album, You Signed Up for This (2021).[4]

Peters was inspired by her earlier folk and singer-songwriter style of music during the production of the album. She was also inspired by the Greek mythology written from female perspectives. She said that the project acts as her "twisted version" of a break-up album with a loosely chronological track listing, with the songs exploring Peters "searching for balance between career highs and personal lows".[4] When asked on why she chose the name The Good Witch, Peters responded: "when I was thinking about the themes within this album, which felt like there was a lot of words that also felt synonymous with good witch, I sort of like the power within the good witch and femininity, danger, it feels sort of threatening. It feels like an interesting way to describe one's self, especially as a young woman. I like the destruction it suggest and the power it gives."[5] She hoped that the album would sit with listeners for a long time after its release, in the same way she felt Lorde's 2017 album Melodrama had done. Peters said that The Good Witch was not sonically similar to Melodrama, but hoped that she could replicate some of its cultural importance.[5]

Promotion and release

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Leading up to the album's release, Peters posted various tarot cards on her social media pages, each representing a track on the album. She explained that she wanted listeners to understand the meanings behind the songs, as well as see into the process of making them.[5] Originally announced to be released on 16 June 2023,[6] the release date was later pushed back a week, to 23 June 2023, with Peters apologising for the delay and joking that the album would work better as a Cancer.[7][non-primary source needed]

Peters released a deluxe edition of The Good Witch, featuring six new songs which she stated "slipped through the cracks", on 27 October 2023.[8]

Singles

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The first single of the album, "Body Better", was released in January 2023, prior to the announcement of the album on 15 February 2023.[3] The second single, "Lost the Breakup" was released on 4 April 2023 to further promote the album.[9] The third single, "Two Weeks Ago" a folk-pop ballad featuring backing vocals from friend Gretta Ray, was released on 26 May 2023.[10] "Run" was released as the fourth single, alongside the album, on 23 June.[11]

Tours

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Peters performing on An Evening with the Good Witch tour.

On the day of the "Two Weeks Ago" release, Peters announced an acoustic tour to promote the album called An Evening with the Good Witch, visiting various small venues across the UK throughout June 2023.[12] On the day of the album's release, she performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.[13] Peters is set to tour the United States and Canada, headlining her own shows in addition to supporting Ed Sheeran, in the summer of 2023,[14] before returning to the UK and Ireland for a series of shows in October and November, ending with her first headline performance in Wembley Arena.[15] In March 2024, she will perform three shows in Australia.[16]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.2/10[17]
Metacritic76/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts Desk     [19]
DIY     [20]
Evening Standard     [21]
The Independent     [22]
The Line of Best Fit7/10[1]
MusicOMH     [23]
The Telegraph     [24]

On Metacritic, which assigns a normalised score out of 100 to ratings from publications, the album received a mean score of 76 based on 7 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18]

James Hall of The Daily Telegraph described the album as "smart, relatable break-up music for Gen Z listeners", and identified the influence of Taylor Swift on Peters' music, stating that the "similarities [with Swift's music] are obvious from the start".[24] In positive reviews, The Arts Desk's Cheri Amour wrote that The Good Witch positions Peters "right up there with the genius pop makers",[19] and DIY's Sarah Jamieson described it as "even more cohesive and polished" than her debut album.[20]

Commercial performance

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The Good Witch debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, shifting 20,760 units in its first week and becoming Peters' first chart-topping album in the country.[25] Selling 7,000 equivalent album units in the United States in its first week according to Luminate, The Good Witch became Peters' first-ever album to chart on Billboard Heatseekers Albums and Billboard Top Album Sales.[26]

Track listing

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The Good Witch – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Good Witch"
Rubel2:37
2."Coming of Age"
Anderfjärd2:40
3."Watch"
Görres3:13
4."Body Better"
Tellez3:09
5."Want You Back"
  • Peters
  • Rubel
Rubel3:24
6."The Band and I"
  • Peters
  • Andrew Haas
  • Ian Franzino
  • Dunn
Afterhrs3:55
7."You're Just a Boy (and I'm Kinda the Man)"
  • Peters
  • Tellez
Tellez3:05
8."Lost the Breakup"
  • Peters
  • Görres
Görres3:09
9."Wendy"
Rubel3:18
10."Run"
Two Inch Punch2:49
11."Two Weeks Ago"
  • Peters
  • Ellis
  • Ashurst
  • Ellis
  • Ashurst
2:59
12."BSC"
  • Peters
  • Ellis
  • Ashurst
  • Rubel
Rubel2:41
13."Therapy"
  • Peters
  • Charlie Martin
  • Dunn
  • Joe Housley
The Nocturns2:57
14."There It Goes"
Tellez3:45
15."History of Man"
  • Peters
  • Rubel
Rubel3:28
Total length:47:17
Japanese edition bonus track[27]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Body Better" (Acoustic)
  • Peters
  • Tellez
  • Ines Dunn
Tellez3:16
Total length:50:37
The Good Witch – Deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Holy Revival"
  • Peters
  • Anderfjärd
Anderfjärd2:54
17."Yoko"
  • Peters
  • Jon Green
Green4:14
18."The Song"
  • Peters
  • Tellez
Tellez2:25
19."Guy On a Horse"
  • Peters
  • Anderfjärd
  • Burman
Anderfjärd2:25
20."Truth Is"
  • Peters
  • Dunn
  • Tellez
Tellez3:17
21."The Last One"
Michelsen3:59
Total length:66:31
The Good Witch – Deluxe edition Record Store Day Exclusive Vinyl
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
22."Bit Bitter"
  • Peters
  • Rubel
Rubel2:00
Total length:68:31

Personnel

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Musicians

  • Maisie Peters – vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15), drums (9), guitar (12)
  • Joe Rubel – drum programming (1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15), keyboards (1, 9, 12, 15), backing vocals (1), bass guitar (5, 12), piano (5), guitar (9, 12, 15), programming (9)
  • Jack Geary – drums (1, 4–7, 12, 14), cymbals (1, 5, 6, 12, 14), backing vocals (1)
  • Gretta Ray – backing vocals (1, 4, 11, 15)
  • Jamie McEvoy – programming (1, 5, 12, 15)
  • Christina (Tina) Hizon – piano (1, 6, 12, 15), keyboards (1, 12, 15), violin (1, 15), backing vocals (1, 12)
  • Jessica Scott – backing vocals (1)
  • Abigail Latip – backing vocals (1)
  • Caitlin (Cate) Canning – backing vocals (1)
  • Dominique Froud – backing vocals (1)
  • Hannah Layton Joyce – backing vocals (1)
  • Ines Dunn – backing vocals (1)
  • Stuart Quinnell – backing vocals (1)
  • Vera Heim – backing vocals (1)
  • Charlie Havens – cymbals, drums (1)
  • Ella Renton – flute (1)
  • Bobby Havens – percussion (1)
  • Elvira Anderfjärd – backing vocals, bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboards, programming (2)
  • Oscar Görres – backing vocals, bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboards, programming (3, 8)
  • Matias Téllez – bass guitar, drums, percussion, programming, synthesizer (4, 7, 14); programming (4, 7, 14), piano (4, 14), cello (4), guitar (7, 14), backing vocals (14)
  • Joel Peat – pedal steel guitar (4, 7), guitar (6, 15)
  • Ed Sheeran – backing vocals (5)
  • Matt Glasbey – programming (5)
  • Afterhrs – bass guitar, guitar, programming (6)
  • Two Inch Punch – bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboard, synthesizer (10)
  • Jez Ashurst – acoustic guitar, banjo, piano, programming (10); guitar, keyboards (12)
  • Robert Ash – guitar (10)
  • Rachael Lander – cello (11)
  • Andy Marshall – double bass (11)
  • Brad Ellis – drums, keyboards, programming (11)
  • Kirsty Mangan – string arrangement, violin (11)
  • Gary Pomeroy – viola (11)
  • Matthew Ward – violin (11)
  • Charlie Martin – drums, guitar, keyboards, programming (13)
  • Joe Housley – guitar (13)

Technical

  • Stuart Hawkes – mastering
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
  • Joe Rubel – engineering (1, 5, 9, 12, 15)
  • Jamie McEvoy – engineering (1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15)
  • Robert Sellens – engineering (1, 5, 9, 12, 15)
  • Mattias Téllez – engineering (4, 7)
  • Matt Glasbey – engineering (5, 11), drum engineering (7)
  • Jeff Gunnell – engineering (6)
  • Two Inch Punch – engineering (10)
  • Charlie Martin – engineering (13)
  • Joe Housley – engineering (13)
  • Gab Strum – engineering (15)
  • Marcus Locock – drum engineering (14)
  • Matt Wolach – mixing assistance
  • Tris Ellis – engineering assistance (1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15)
  • Jamie Sprosen – engineering assistance (14)

Charts

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Chart performance for The Good Witch
Chart (2023-2024) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28] 4
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[29] 127
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[30] 22
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[31] 90
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[32] 18
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[33] 40
Irish Albums (IRMA)[34] 7
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[35] 9
Scottish Albums (OCC)[36] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[37] 1
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[38] 4
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[39] 35

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Silver 60,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release history and formats for The Good Witch
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label Ref.
Various 23 June 2023
Standard
[41]
  • LP
 Alternative Cover [42]
United Kingdom
  • Cassette
  • CD
  • box set
  • LP
 Armageddon Orange [43]

References

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  1. ^ a b Franzini, Sam (22 June 2023). "Maisie Peters: The Good Witch review - easy, pleasant, clever pop". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  2. ^ Westrom, Piper (19 June 2023). "Album Review: Maisie Peters is magic on 'The Good Witch'". RIFF Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b John-Clement, Nina (15 February 2023). "Maisie Peters announces second album The Good Witch". United By Pop. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b Ackroyd, Stephen (15 February 2023). "Maisie Peters has conjured up a brand new album, 'The Good Witch'". Dork. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Bautista, Rafael (28 March 2023). "For Maisie Peters, It's Okay Being The (Good) Witch Of Your Story". Nylon Manila. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  6. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (15 February 2023). "Maisie Peters Announces 'The Good Witch,' Her 'Twisted Version Of A Breakup Album'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  7. ^ Peters, Maisie [@maisiehpeters] (2 May 2023). "my little witches, i unfortunately have to inform you that the good witch release date is now being pushed back a week to the 23rd june. very sad but i promise she will be even better as a cancer + i will give u more treats to make up for it 🤭" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Taylor, Sam (27 October 2023). "Maisie Peters has released a deluxe album featuring six new tracks: "I wasn't finished telling certain stories"". Dork. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  9. ^ Duran, Anagricel (3 April 2023). "Listen to Maisie Peters' empowering new single 'Lost The Breakup'". NME. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  10. ^ Grow, Kory (26 May 2023). "Maisie Peters Longs for 'Two Weeks Ago,' Before a Breakup, in New 'Good Witch' Song". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  11. ^ Maisie Peters [@maisiehpeters] (14 June 2023). "i said i will be a clown one more time this 2023 and that is IT 🤡 run, the new single from the good witch will be out with rest of the album on june 23rd . scream" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Rigotti, Alex (26 May 2023). "Maisie Peters announces acoustic 'An Evening With The Good Witch' Tour". DIY. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  13. ^ Shutler, Ali (23 June 2023). "Maisie Peters live at Glastonbury: The Good Witch casts a spell over Worthy Farm". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  14. ^ Sanchez, Emma (23 June 2023). "Maisie Peters' new album 'The Good Witch' has arrived in all its magical glory". Variance Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  15. ^ Skinner, Tom (27 April 2023). "Maisie Peters announces 'Road To Wembley' 2023 UK and Ireland tour". NME. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  16. ^ Fry, Courtney (13 June 2023). "Maisie Peters is bringing her magical tour to Australia in 2024". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  17. ^ "The Good Witch by Maisie Peters reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Reviews and Tracks for The Good Witch by Maisie Peters". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  19. ^ a b Amour, Cheri (23 June 2023). "Album: Maisie Peters - The Good Witch". The Arts Desk. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  20. ^ a b Jamieson, Sarah (21 June 2023). "Maisie Peters - The Good Witch". DIY. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  21. ^ Smyth, David (21 June 2023). "Maisie Peters - The Good Witch: a detailed picture of womanhood". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Album reviews: Kim Petras and Maisie Peters". The Independent. 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  23. ^ Murphy, John (20 June 2023). "Maisie Peters – The Good Witch". MusicOMH. ISSN 2516-6220. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  24. ^ a b Hall, James (23 June 2023). "Never scorn a young woman – she might turn you into pop". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  25. ^ Jones, Alan (30 June 2023). "Charts analysis: Maisie Peters casts spell on albums chart to secure first No.1". Music Week. ISSN 2052-2371. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  26. ^ Zellner, Xander (7 July 2023). "10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Maisie Peters, Lily-Rose Depp, Tommy Prine, Carlie Hanson & More". Billboard.
  27. ^ "Maisie Peters / メイジー・ピーターズ「The Good Witch / ザ・グッド・ウィッチ」 | Warner Music Japan". ワーナーミュージック・ジャパン | Warner Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  28. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Ultratop.be – Maisie Peters – The Good Witch" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  30. ^ "Lista prodaje 17. tjedan 2024" (in Croatian). Top of the Shops. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Maisie Peters – The Good Witch" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Maisie Peters – The Good Witch" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 17. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 30 June 2023". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  35. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  37. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Maisie Peters Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Maisie Peters Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  40. ^ "British album certifications – Maisie Peters – The Good Witch". British Phonographic Industry.
  41. ^ The Good Witch standard release formats:
  42. ^ "The Good Witch Alternate Sleeve Snakebite Red Vinyl". Maisie Peters Official Shop. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  43. ^ The Good Witch Armageddon Orange release formats:
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