Me, You and the Music

Background

Following the series finale of the eleventh season of American Idol Sanchez was signed to Interscope Records/19 Entertainment to begin work on her debut studio album. Recording for the album began during the American Idols Live Tour in mid July 2012. She worked with producers Mark J. Feist, Harvey Mason, Jr. and Toby Gad among others for the album. It was set to feature ballads but would exhibit "more of an R&B/Pop/Urban kind of feel". The album's recording and production wrapped in mid January 2013 where the final track listing was selected mixed and mastered. It was initially set for release on May 14, 2013, but this was later moved up to April 30. Fans of "American Idol" have gotten used to a full-length debut from that season's winner and, typically, a few weeks later, an album from the year's runner-up. Season 11, however, was different, Sanchez was allowed more time on the project to craft the right sound and direction for the album.

Jason Morey, executive vice president and worldwide head of music for 19 Entertainment told MTV News that the management company was in no hurry to rush Sanchez's debut out. '"We wanted to develop her into an artist with longevity, and wanted her to put out a product that truly showcased her as the artist she wants to be and we wanted to take the time to make it perfect," he said. "She is truly a world class singer and we wanted to put her with the biggest producers and writers in the business ... She literally blew everyone away in the studio with her talent and as she began working, more opportunities arose for her to work with different people."' When speaking on the wait for the album Sanchez said, "I wanted to make it perfect for the fans. "I've worked in the studio before, but going to that next level with such high producers? It was crazy ... working with Ne-Yo. Everything was such a blur and I was just a fangirl the whole time." The standard version of the album will have 11 tracks while the deluxe version will have 16 tracks.

Commercial performance

Me, You & the Music entered the US Billboard 200 Albums Chart at number 26 with 14,000 units sold.

Singles

"Tonight" is the lead single from the album and features American R&B singer Ne-Yo. It was released on March 21, 2013. Filming for the music video began on March 1, 2013 in downtown Los Angeles with director Justin Francis. Sanchez premiered the song for the first time live on the Top 9 results show on twelfth season of American Idol on March 21, 2013.

The second single was scheduled to be release in November, but due to Typhoon Yolanda, she recorded "Lead Me Home", a cover from "Heartbeat of Home" with composer Brian Bryne with sales going to people affected by the storm.

Promotional singles

"Plastic Roses" was released as a promotional single from the album, which was written and co-produced by R&B singer Ne-Yo. It was released on August 3, 2013 in the Philippines through MCA Music. "Right To Fall" was released as a promotional single.

Critical reception

The album received mixed reviews from critics. Allmusic gave it 3 out of 5 stars, commending Sanchez's 2013 major-label debut. It stated that Me, You & the Music created a showcase for the Idol runner-up's big, soulful voice and contemporary pop style. The review compared it to Rihanna's songs that could translate to club & radio-ready songs, with "Drive By" and "Right To Fall" identified as standout tracks. However, Allmusic criticized the album for what it considered to be its weak lyrical interpretations. Emily Tan of Idolator gave 3.5 out of 5 stars said that Sanchez has proved you don’t need to win a singing competition to put out a winning album.

Track listing

Release formats