Genre R&B Label Epic Producer(s) Soundz | Length 3:43 Writer(s) Soundz | |
"Sophomore" is a song by American recording artist Ciara recorded for her fifth studio album Ciara (2013). It was written by Soundz, with production also done by "Soundz". Musically "Sophomore" is a mid-tempo R&B song that lyrically described Ciara teaching her partner about sex education. The song Sophomore was originally leaked by DJ Orator in September 2012. To promote her self-titled album Ciara released five videos for five of the album's songs, a snippet "Sophomore" was released as the second of five.
Contents
Background
After releasing two under performing albums Fantasy Ride (2009) and Basic Instinct (2010), Ciara publicly asked to be released from her label Jive. In July 2011, reports circulated that Ciara had reunited with L.A. Reid by signing with his record label Epic Records. Reid had previously signed Ciara to LaFace Records during the beginning of her career and was a factor in the commercial success of her debut album, Goodies (2004). Billboard magazine went on to confirm her move to Epic in September 2011. In February 2012, Ciara revealed that she had begun recording her album Ciara released three singles from the album "Sweat" featuring rapper, 2 Chainz, "Sorry" and "Got Me Good" all of which performed poorly on any major charts, the three singles were later scrapped with "Body Party" being released as the album's lead single.
Composition
"Sophomore" is the second track of the album. Produced and wrote by Hip-Hop and R&B producer Soundz. "Sophomore" is the fourth time Ciara and Soundz have worked together after previously working together on Ciara's fourth album Basic Instinct producing songs Gimmie Dat and Heavy Rotation. Soundz also produced "Boy Outta Here" featuring American rapper Rick Ross from her fifth self-titled studio album. "Sophomore" is a mid-tempo R&B song the song lasts for three minutes and forty three seconds. speaks about how Ciara's teaching her partner about sex education and features a "seductive beat" and "coos in a sultry tone." The first verse introduces the concept of the song: “So soft, my skin/ So soft, my booty/ So soft, my bed/ So soft, I got ‘em sayin’/ Give me more.”
Critical reception
Billboard magazine praised the song's production and Ciara's vocals saying "Ciara straddles the Soundz's produced-synths." Idolator gave Sophomore positive reviews for Ciara's attitude on the song and the "appealingly ragged" they continued to parise the song saying that Sophomore was "tough, sexy-but-aggressive grown-as-fuck." Allmusic called Sophomore one of the "highlights" of the albums praising its "booming" production and sound. Digitalspy praised the song and its sound noting that "Sophomore" "bucks the trend soundwise" continuing to praise the "grinding bass on the menacingly seductive 'Sophomore'".
Music video
Following the release of an snippet of the album's eighth song “DUI” Ciara released the second of five video snippets on July 2, 2013. The video preview premiered on E! News, with the snippet featuring Ciara getting "her hair messed up while rolling over newspapers". The video features "glamour shots of Ciara caressing her body and rolling provocatively over newspapers".
Track listing
- "Sophomore" - 3:43