{{Short description|2014 album by Paloma Faith}} {{Use British English|date=April 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox album | name = A Perfect Contradiction | type = studio | artist = Paloma Faith | cover = Paloma Faith A Perfect Contradiction Album Cover.png | alt = | caption = Standard cover | released = {{Start date|2014|3|10|df=yes}} | recorded = 2013–2014 | studio = | genre = * Pop * R&B * jazz * soul * disco | length = 39:22 | label = * RCA * Epic | producer = * Paloma Faith * Klas Åhlund * Eric Appapoulay * BB Banks * Chris Braide * AC Burrell * G'harah Degeddingseze * Mr Hudson * Komi and JL * Stuart Matthewman * Kieron Mcintosh * Dave Odlum * Dave Okumu * Plan B * Steve Robson * Raphael Saadiq * Taura Stinson * Kyle Townsend * Dylan Wiggins * Pharrell Williams | prev_title = Fall to Grace | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = The Architect | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{Singles | name = A Perfect Contradiction | type = Studio | single1 = Can't Rely on You | single1date = 23 February 2014 | single2 = Only Love Can Hurt Like This | single2date = 11 May 2014 | single3 = Trouble with My Baby | single3date = 11 August 2014 }} }}
'''''A Perfect Contradiction''''' is the third studio album by English singer Paloma Faith, released by Sony Music Entertainment on 10 March 2014. Musically, it is a pop album, with elements of R&B, jazz, soul, Motown and disco. The album received mixed reviews; it spawned three singles; "Can't Rely on You", "Only Love Can Hurt Like This", "Trouble with My Baby". The first two of these charted within the top 10 in the United Kingdom and "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" topped the charts in Australia.
On 15 September 2014, it was announced that a repackaged version of the album, entitled '''''A Perfect Contradiction: Outsiders' Edition''''', was set to be released on 10 November 2014, postponed from the original date of 3 November 2014. It features three new singles; "Ready for the Good Life", "Leave While I'm Not Looking" and "Beauty Remains". It also includes new songs as well as a rearranged version of "Changing", Faith's collaboration with Sigma.<ref name="Perfect Contradiction ReIssue (DS)">{{cite web |last1=Corner |first1=Lewis |title=Paloma Faith to repackage latest album A Perfect Contradiction |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a596659/paloma-faith-to-repackage-latest-album-a-perfect-contradiction.html#~oQ963AK42RNQ0h |website=Digital Spy |access-date=15 September 2014 |date=15 September 2014}}</ref>
==Background== Faith had posted pictures of her recording her new album for several months on Instagram. She then announced that her new album would be entitled ''A Perfect Contradiction''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Robert |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a545746/paloma-faith-reveals-stunning-artwork-for-new-album.html |title=Paloma Faith reveals stunning artwork for new album – Music News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=22 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Mike Wass |url=http://www.idolator.com/7502268/paloma-faith-a-perfect-contradiction-cover-tracklist |title=Paloma Faith Reveals Stunning 'A Perfect Contradiction' Cover And Tracklist |website=Idolator |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140122053432/http://www.idolator.com/7502268/paloma-faith-a-perfect-contradiction-cover-tracklist |archive-date=22 January 2014}}</ref> On 13 January 2014 Faith premiered the video for the album's lead single, "Can't Rely on You". The single was produced by Pharrell Williams, who wrote the song along with Faith.<ref name="digitalspy">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a543430/paloma-faith-debuts-new-single-cant-rely-on-you-video.html |title=Paloma Faith debuts new single 'Can't Rely on You' – video |date=13 January 2014 |last=Corner |first=Lewis |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=13 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/paloma-faith-teams-up-with-pharrell-williams-for-new-single-2729/ |title=Paloma Faith teams up with Pharrell Williams for new single|date=13 January 2014 |last=Lane |first=Daniel |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=13 January 2014}}</ref> Faith previewed the song "Love Only Leaves You Lonely" at a June 2013 performance in Liverpool,<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Jeanette |url=http://www.clickliverpool.com/culture/reviews/1218984-paloma-faith-lifts-the-rafters-at-liverpool-empire.html |title=Paloma Faith lifts the rafters at Liverpool Empire > Reviews > Culture |website=Click Liverpool |date=5 June 2013 |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140124145638/http://www.clickliverpool.com/culture/reviews/1218984-paloma-faith-lifts-the-rafters-at-liverpool-empire.html |archive-date=24 January 2014}}</ref> and has since made the song available as a pre-order preview on the iTunes Store. The song "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" was premiered in a stripped back acoustic version on Amazon, and the song was later performed at a Burberry fashion show in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/only-love-can-hurt-like-this-live-for-burberry/823611125 |title=Only Love Can Hurt Like This (Live For Burberry) by Paloma Faith |publisher=iTunes |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=27 April 2015}}</ref> 90-second previews of all the songs were made available in February 2014 on iTunes, before Faith streamed the album on SoundCloud via ''Nylon'' a few days before the album's release.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nylon.com/articles/paloma-faith-perfect-contradiction |title=Album Premiere: Paloma Faith |date=5 March 2014 |last=Darwin |first=Liza |magazine=Nylon |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>
==Composition== Musically, the album is a pop record that blends elements of R&B, jazz, soul, Motown, and disco.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gall |first=Charlie |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/paloma-faith-entertains-aberdeen-crowd-4655047?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target |title=Paloma Faith entertains Aberdeen crowd with soulful performance and dire attempts at Scottish accent |website=Daily Record |date=19 November 2014 |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> While it maintains the retro-soul influences found in Faith's earlier work,<ref name="Digital Spy" /> ''A Perfect Contradiction'' introduces a more polished production style, drawing from 1970s soul and disco.<ref name="AllMusic" /> The album features doo-wop-inspired tracks and slower ballads,<ref name="TG" /> as well as rhythm-focused arrangements that mark a shift from the ballad-driven approach of ''Fall to Grace''.<ref name="TO" /> Across the record, Faith explores a sound that remains rooted in classic pop traditions, while incorporating a broader range of upbeat, vintage-inspired styles.<ref name="TDT" />
===Songs=== The second single from the album, "Only Love Can Hurt Like This", was written entirely by Diane Warren,<ref>{{cite web |last=Wass |first=Mike |url=http://www.idolator.com/7512274/paloma-faith-only-love-can-hurt-like-this-video |title=Paloma Faith Unveils Heartstrings-Pulling "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" Video: Watch |website=Idolator |date=31 March 2014 |access-date=31 March 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140510090446/http://www.idolator.com/7512274/paloma-faith-only-love-can-hurt-like-this-video |archive-date=10 May 2014}}</ref> who has written for Faith twice again, towards the single "Leave While I'm Not Looking" featured on ''A Perfect Contradiction: Outsiders' Edition'', and "The Crazy Ones" featured as the main theme of the film ''Miss You Already''. "Impossible Heart" was written by Faith and Christopher Braide, who had previously worked with Faith on her second studio album ''Fall to Grace'' towards the song "30 Minute Love Affair". Both songs used synthesized instrumentation. "Trouble with My Baby" was originally written with Steve Robson in synchronisation with ''Fall to Grace'', but was considered by Faith as "inappropriate" or "misfitting" in regards of the theme of ''Fall to Grace''. As a result, the song was saved for a later album, specifically ''A Perfect Contradiction''.<ref>{{cite AV media |first=Paloma |last=Faith |author-link=Paloma Faith |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLo_QeO7cIw |title=Paloma Faith – The Story Behind "Trouble with My Baby" |via=YouTube |date=24 September 2014 |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>
==Promotion== ===Singles=== The first single from the album, "Can't Rely on You", written with and produced by Pharrell Williams,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/87540/watch-paloma-faith-debuts-new-single-produced-by-pharrell-williams |title=Watch: Paloma Faith debuts new single, produced by Pharrell Williams |last=Baggs |first=Michael |work=Gigwise |date=13 January 2014 |access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref> reached number 10 on the UK Top 40 charts in its first week.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/paloma-faith-cant-rely-on-you/ |title=Can't Reply on You by Paloma Faith |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> It was released on 23 February 2014, although the song had been premiered on YouTube, along with its music video directed by Paul Gore and features Faith speaking in Italian in an elaborate retro introduction,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soulculture.co.uk/music-blog/newmusic/paloma-faith-enlists-pharrell-for-new-single-cant-rely-on-you-music-video/ |title=Paloma Faith enlists Pharrell for new single "Can't Rely On You" - Music Video |website=Soul Culture |last=Gosho Oakes |first=M. |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=27 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207222140/http://www.soulculture.co.uk/music-blog/newmusic/paloma-faith-enlists-pharrell-for-new-single-cant-rely-on-you-music-video/ |archive-date=7 February 2014}}</ref> the previous month, and had been playing on UK radio since then. It is Faith's second Top 10 single, following 2012's "Picking Up the Pieces". In late March 2014, Faith announced on her social networking sites that "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" would be the second single from the album.<ref name="officialcharts1">{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Liv |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/paloma-faith-announces-new-single-only-love-can-hurt-like-this-2867/ |title=Paloma Faith announces new single, Only Love Can Hurt Like This |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=31 March 2014 |access-date=6 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709092707/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/paloma-faith-announces-new-single-only-love-can-hurt-like-this-2867/ |archive-date=9 July 2014}}</ref> The single's video, directed by Gore, was premiered on 28 April 2014 with the single being released on 11 May 2014. It reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart becoming Faith's highest-charting single there.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/paloma-faith-only-love-can-hurt-like-this/ |title=Only Love Can Hurt Like This |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> In Australia the song peaked at number one, also becoming Faith's highest-charting single there.
The third single, "Trouble with My Baby", was officially confirmed by Faith on 27 June 2014, with the video for the song directed by Gore to premiere at midnight on 30 June 2014. The song was later confirmed to have an 11 August 2014 release date. It did not chart within the top 100 on the UK Singles Chart due to lack of promotion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/paloma-faith-trouble-with-my-baby/ |title=Trouble with My Baby by Paloma Faith |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> "Ready for the Good Life" was released as the lead single and overall fourth single from the repackaged version of ''A Perfect Contradiction'' on 9 November 2014.<ref name="Perfect Contradiction ReIssue (DS)" /> It reached number 68 on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 16 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/paloma-faith-ready-for-the-good-life/ |title=Ready for the Good Life by Paloma Faith |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> "Leave While I'm Not Looking", penned by Diane Warren as a follow-up to Faith's highest-charting single "Only Love Can Hurt Like This", was announced in late November 2014 to be the album's fifth single.<ref>{{cite web |last=Faith |first=Paloma |author-link=Paloma Faith |url=https://www.facebook.com/palomafaith/posts/10152932637620970 |title=My next single is… 'Leave While I'm Not... |publisher=Facebook |date=9 December 2014 |access-date=2 April 2025}}{{Primary source inline|date=May 2020}}</ref> The single received minimal promotion and airplay; it also did not receive a music video. "Beauty Remains" was announced in February 2015 to be the sixth single from the album.<ref>{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Rob |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/paloma-faith-beauty-remains-music-video__8196/|title=Paloma Faith: Beauty Remains – music video |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=24 February 2015 |access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref> The song, along with an accompanying music video classified as suitable for those aged 15 and upwards, was released in March 2015, and despite an appearance on the final of ''The Voice UK'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02ngl1l |title=Paloma Faith performs Beauty Remains |publisher=BBC |date=4 April 2014 |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> the song did not chart in any territories.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/paloma-faith-beauty-remains/ |title=Beautiful Remains by Paloma Faith |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>
===Tour=== To promote ''A Perfect Contradiction'', Faith embarked her third concert tour on 23 May 2014, called Paloma Faith Tour. Originally visiting European countries, Faith announced new tour dates for Australia and the United States and a UK arena tour in August through September 2014. The concert tour consisted of a total of 66 dates and ended in Australia on 16 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Rob |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/paloma-faith-announces-2015-arena-tour-dates__5833/ |title=Paloma Faith announces 2015 arena tour dates |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=15 September 2014 |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> In the lead-up to this arena leg, Faith performed in smaller venues, including a pair of rescheduled shows at Manchester's O2 Apollo in late 2014—original dates that had been postponed due to ill health.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Melanie |url=https://louderthanwar.com/paloma-faith-manchester-apollo-live-photo-review/ |title=Paloma Faith: Manchester Apollo – live photo review |website=Louder Than War |date=2 December 2014 |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | title = ''A Perfect Contradiction'' ratings | ADM = 5.8/10<ref name="adm">{{cite web |title=A Perfect Contradiction by Paloma Faith reviews {{!}} Any Decent Music |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6194/Paloma-Faith-A-Perfect-Contradiction.aspx |publisher=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref> | MC = 66/100<ref name="metacritic.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/a-perfect-contradiction/paloma-faith |title=Reviews for A Perfect Contradiction by Paloma Faith |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-perfect-contradiction-mw0002615885 |title=A Perfect Contradiction – Paloma Faith – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic |first=Matt |last=Collar |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The Daily Telegraph'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="TDT">{{cite web |last=Mccormick |first=Neil |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/10680372/Paloma-Faith-A-Perfect-Contradiction-review.html |title=Paloma Faith: A Perfect Contradiction, review |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=29 May 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140315124039/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/10680372/Paloma-Faith-A-Perfect-Contradiction-review.html |archive-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = Digital Spy | rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Digital Spy">{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Robert |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a556139/paloma-faith-a-perfect-contradiction-album-review-solid-but-unsurprising.html |title=Paloma Faith: A Perfect Contradiction album review – Solid but unsurprising – Music Review |publisher=Digital Spy |date= 7 March 2014 |access-date=15 March 2014}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Drowned in Sound'' | rev4score = 4/10<ref name="DIS">{{cite web |first=Gavin |last=Rees |url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/18118/reviews/4147514 |title=Album Review: Paloma Faith - A Perfect Contradiction |website=Drowned in Sound |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=3 September 2025 |archive-date=13 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213125732/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/18118/reviews/4147514 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rev5 = ''The Guardian'' | rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="TG">{{cite web |first=Tshepo |last=Mokoena |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/06/paloma-faith-perfect-contradiction-review |title=Paloma Faith: A Perfect Contradiction review – consistent but formulaic retro-soul |work=The Guardian |date= 6 March 2014|access-date=17 March 2014}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Independent'' | rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="TI">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Gill |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-pharrell-williams-paloma-faith-elbow-driveby-truckers-robert-ellis-nick-waterhouse-9159915.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306074607/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-pharrell-williams-paloma-faith-elbow-driveby-truckers-robert-ellis-nick-waterhouse-9159915.html |archive-date=6 March 2014 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Album reviews: Pharrell Williams, Paloma Faith, Elbow, Drive-by Truckers, Robert Ellis, Nick Waterhouse – Reviews – Music |work=The Independent |date=1 March 2014 |access-date=15 March 2014}}</ref> | rev7 = ''The Irish Times'' | rev7score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Irish">{{cite news |first=Lauren |last=Murphy |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/paloma-faith-a-perfect-contradiction-1.1715099 |title=Paloma Faith: ''A Perfect Contradiction'' |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> | rev8 = ''MusicOMH'' | rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="MusicOMH">{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Baber |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/paloma-faith-perfect-contradiction |title=Paloma Faith - A Perfect Contradiction |website=MusicOMH |date=10 March 2014 |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> | rev9 = ''The Observer'' | rev9score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="TO">{{cite news |first=Nadia |last=Khomami |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/09/a-perfect-contradiction-review-paloma-faith |title=A Perfect Contradiction review – Paloma Faith is upbeat but generic |newspaper=The Observer |date=9 March 2014 |access-date=17 March 2014}}</ref> | rev10 = ''PopMatters'' | rev10score = 6/10<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web |first=David |last=Farrell |url=https://www.popmatters.com/184487-paloma-faith-a-perfect-contradiction-2495630866.html |title=Paloma Faith: A Perfect Contradiction |website=PopMatters |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> }}
On Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, ''A Perfect Contradiction'' received an average score of 66, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 10 reviews.<ref name="metacritic.com"/>
AllMusic gave the album a very positive review, giving it 4 stars out of 5, calling the production of the album slick and funky, complementing the new musical direction, highlighting the new sound of disco, and '70's soul-influences on the album.<ref name="AllMusic" /> Digital Spy made this comment and called the album "solid but unsurprising".<ref name="Digital Spy"/> The album earned 3 stars out of 5 from ''The Guardian'', which called it "consistent but formulaic," noting that the Motown feel "starts to grate by the end." It added that Faith sticks to the familiar path of her earlier albums, offering more doo-wop-inspired tunes and lovesick ballads.<ref name="TG" /> ''The Observer'' gave the album 2 stars out of 5, again making the comment that the album was upbeat but generic,<ref name="TO" /> while ''The Daily Telegraph'' gave 3 stars out of 5 from, who said "Faith has a nice ear for melody and smart turn of phrase. She sounds like a one woman Phil Spector girl group on Taste My Own Tears, and does a slick, jazzy soul turn on Other Woman. It may be nothing new but her punchy, uplifting set of pastiche Sixties and Seventies soul, r’n’b and disco is perfectly pitched with just an appealing hint of exaggeration."<ref name="TDT" /> ''The Independent'' gave the album 3 stars out of 5, commenting on a lack of originality but complimenting "Can't Rely on You".<ref name="TI" />
==Commercial performance== thumb|160px|right|Faith performing in February 2015 at Paradiso Amsterdam
''A Perfect Contradiction'' debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number two, beaten by ''The Take Off and Landing of Everything'' by Elbow from the top spot. The album spent 29 weeks inside the top 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acharts.us/album/84103|title=Paloma Faith – A Perfect Contradiction |publisher=Acharts |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> On 22 August 2014 the album received a Platinum certification for selling over 300,000 copies in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |title=Certified Awards |publisher=BPI |access-date=17 September 2014 |archive-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627040702/https://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx}}</ref> After the single "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" reached number one in Australia, the album jumped up from number 15 on the charts to its peak at number four, becoming Faith's highest-charting album in that country.<ref name="aus">Top 50 positions: {{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Paloma+Faith |title=Paloma Faith – Australian Charts |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=27 August 2014}}</ref> The album also peaked at number 8 in Ireland,<ref name="ire">{{cite web |url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Paloma+Faith |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729201527/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Paloma+Faith |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2014 |title=Paloma Faith – Irish Charts |website=Irish Charts |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> 17 in New Zealand,<ref name=nz>{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Paloma+Faith |title=Paloma Faith – New Zealand Charts |website=New Zealand Charts |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> 41 in the Netherlands<ref name="nl">{{cite web |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Paloma+Faith|title=Paloma Faith – Dutch Charts |website=Dutch Charts |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> and 91 in Switzerland.<ref name="nl" /> ''A Perfect Contradiction'' became the sixth best selling album of 2014, and the best selling album for a female artist in the UK.<ref name="officialcharts.com">{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Liv |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-artist-albums-of-2014-3387/ |title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Artist Albums of 2014 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=1 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101030807/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-artist-albums-of-2014-3387/ |archive-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> It had sold a total of 342,000 copies in the UK as of October 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Rob |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-artist-albums-of-2014-so-far-3169/ |title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Artist Albums of 2014 so far! |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=2 October 2014 |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004180758/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-artist-albums-of-2014-so-far-3169/ |archive-date=4 October 2014}}</ref> On 20 February 2015 it was certified double platinum for sales exceeding 600,000 copies in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/search.aspx |title=Certified Awards |publisher=BPI |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-date=1 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501152215/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/search.aspx}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = 39:22 | headline = ''A Perfect Contradiction'' – {{nobold|Standard edition}} | title1 = Can't Rely on You | writer1 = Pharrell Williams | extra1 = Williams | length1 = 3:15 | title2 = Mouth to Mouth | writer2 = {{flatlist| * Paloma Faith * Raphael Saadiq * Taura Stinson }} | extra2 = {{flatlist| * Saadiq * AC Burrell{{ref|a|[a]}} * G'harah Degeddingseze{{ref|a|[a]}} * Stinson{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length2 = 4:23 | title3 = Take Me | writer3 = {{flatlist| * Faith * John Stephens * Benjamin McIldowie }} | extra3 = {{flatlist| * Mr Hudson * Degeddingseze{{ref|a|[a]}} * Burrell{{ref|a|[a]}} }} | length3 = 3:10 | title4 = Only Love Can Hurt Like This | writer4 = {{flatlist| * Diane Warren * Keith Uddin }} | extra4 = {{flatlist| * Burrell * Kyle Townsend{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length4 = 3:52 | title5 = Other Woman | writer5 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Ben Drew * Eric Appapoulay * Kieron Mcintosh }} | extra5 = {{flatlist| * Plan B * Appapoulay{{ref|a|[a]}} * Mcintosh{{ref|a|[a]}} }} | length5 = 3:08 | title6 = Taste My Own Tears | writer6 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Stuart Matthewman }} | extra6 = {{flatlist| * Burrell * Degeddingseze * Matthewman{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length6 = 3:02 | title7 = Trouble with My Baby | writer7 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Andrea Martin * Steve Robson }} | extra7 = Robson | length7 = 3:00 | title8 = The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall) | writer8 = {{flatlist| * Gerald A Marcellino * Melvin E Larson }} | extra8 = {{flatlist| * Dylan Wiggins * Stinson{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length8 = 3:01 | title9 = Impossible Heart | writer9 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Chris Braide }} | extra9 = {{flatlist| * Braide * Burrell{{ref|a|[a]}} * Degeddingseze{{ref|a|[a]}} }} | length9 = 4:31 | title10 = Love Only Leaves You Lonely | writer10 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Saadiq * Stinson * Wiggins }} | extra10 = {{flatlist| * Saadiq * Wiggins * Stinson{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length10 = 4:31 | title11 = It's the Not Knowing | writer11 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Matthewman }} | extra11 = {{flatlist| * Dave Okumu * Matthewman{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length11 = 3:29 }} {{Track listing | headline = ''A Perfect Contradiction'' – {{nobold|Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}} | title12 = Can't Rely on You | note12 = Live from the Kitchen | writer12 = {{hlist|Paloma Faith|Williams}} | length12 = 3:42 | title13 = Trouble with My Baby | note13 = Live from the Living Room | writer13 = {{hlist|Faith|Martin|Robson}} | length13 = 2:57 | title14 = Only Love Can Hurt Like This | note14 = Off the Cuff | writer14 = Warren | length14 = 3:43 | title15 = It's the Not Knowing | note15 = Exposed Version | writer15 = {{hlist|Faith|Matthewman}} | length15 = 3:35 }}
{{Track listing | headline = ''A Perfect Contradiction: Outsiders' Edition''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NIJ5JJM/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d15_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1JHNY041EQRAD6K6C84R&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294 |title=A Perfect Contradiction Outsiders' Edition |publisher=Amazon |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> | extra_column = Producer(s)
| title12 = Beauty Remains | writer12 = {{flatlist| * Paloma Faith * Bernard Butler * Fyfe Dangerfield }} | extra12 = Bernard Butler | length12 = 3:36
| title13 = Ready for the Good Life | writer13 = {{flatlist| * Faith * Klas Åhlund * Adam Baptiste * Måns Wredenburg * Linus Wiklund<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx |title=ACE Title Search |work=Ascap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306032310/https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx |archive-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> }} | extra13 = Åhlund | length13 = 3:25
| title14 = Leave While I'm Not Looking | writer14 = Diane Warren | extra14 = {{flatlist| * Komi * JL * Burrell }} | length14 = 3:53
| title15 = Changing | note15 = alternate version | writer15 = {{flatlist| * Peter Kelleher * Ben Kohn * Tom Barnes * Wayne Hector * Ella Eyre }} | extra15 = {{flatlist| * BB Banks * Faith{{ref|c|[c]}} * David Odlum{{ref|c|[c]}} }} | length15 = 3:16 }}
{{Track listing | headline = ''A Perfect Contradiction: Outsiders' Edition'' – {{nobold|Deluxe edition (disc 2)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itun.es/gb/PT8l3|title=iTunes – Music – A Perfect Contradiction Outsiders' Edition (Deluxe Version) by Paloma Faith |publisher=iTunes Store |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111002332/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/perfect-contradiction-outsiders/id925879145 |archive-date=11 November 2014}}</ref>
| title1 = Mouth to Mouth | note1 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length1 = 4:44
| title2 = Take Me | note2 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length2 = 4:47
| title3 = Trouble with My Baby | note3 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length3 = 3:24
| title4 = I'd Rather Go Blind | note4 = with Ty Taylor) (Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length4 = 5:27
| title5 = Other Woman | note5 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length5 = 3:50
| title6 = It's the Not Knowing | note6 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length6 = 3:58
| title7 = Only Love Can Hurt Like This | note7 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length7 = 4:12
| title8 = Upside Down | note8 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length8 = 4:47
| title9 = Can't Rely on You | note9 = Live from BBC Proms 2014 | length9 = 4:41 }}
===Notes=== * <sup>{{note|a|[a]}}</sup> signifies an additional record producer. * <sup>{{note|b|[b]}}</sup> signifies a vocal producer. * <sup>{{note|c|[c]}}</sup> signifies a co-record producer. * "The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall)" is a Sisters Love cover. * At the BBC Proms, Faith did perform fifteen songs, although six were not included in the "Deluxe Outsider's Edition" -see above. The omitted tracks are: "Love Only Leaves You Lonely", "Taste My Own Tears", "Let Me Down Easy" (a Bettye LaVette cover), "All Night Long" (a Keely Smith cover), "Picking Up The Pieces", and the encore, "Freedom".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paloma Faith Setlist |url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/paloma-faith/2014/royal-albert-hall-london-england-53cfab55.html |website=setlist.fm |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> * The ''Outsiders' Edition'' was initially meant to include another song titled "Best Bad Habit" written by Diane Warren and produced by Komi, but this was cut from the final tracklist before its release.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 September 2014 |title=Paloma Faith Announces 2015 UK rena Tour |url=https://www.gigsandtours.com/news/paloma-faith-announces-2015-uk-arena-tour/1556 |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Gigs and Tours |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rigby |first=Sam |date=7 September 2017 |title=Paloma Faith announces UK arena tour, album re-release |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/paloma-faith-announces-uk-arena-tour-album-re-release-281951/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Attitude |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Personnel== Credits were adapted from AllMusic.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Perfect Contradiction – Paloma Faith {{!}} Credits |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-perfect-contradiction-mw0002615885/credits |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}} *The Dap-Kings – horns *Luke Potashnick – guitar *Sam Miller – engineer *Justin Merrill – engineer *Chris Galland – assistant *Rob Barron – piano *Paloma Faith – background vocals, lead vocals *Seye Adelekan – guitar, background vocals *Tom Rees-Roberts – trumpet, flugelhorn *Tom Hough – engineer *Gharah Degeddingseze – producer, string arrangements, horn arrangements, additional production, instrumentation *Rick Bryant – assistant *Mario Luccy – engineer *Rory More – Hammond B3 *Dave Guy – trumpet *Mike Horner – assistant engineer *Plan B – producer *Dave Okumu – producer, instrumentation *Taura Stinson – vocal producer, background vocals *Mike Larson – mixing *Joy Joseph – percussion *Ben Drew – background vocals *Wayne Gordon – assistant *James Gardiner-Bateman – alto saxophone, horn arrangements, baritone saxophone *Kyle Townsend – vocal producer *Alalal – engineer *Christopher Braide – producer *Bryan "Bdub" White – bass *Steve Payne – guitar *Delbert Bowers – assistant *David Standish – photography *Roberto Angrisani – background vocals *Naomi Miller – background vocals *Obenewa Aboah – background vocals *Tom Wright-goss – Bass, Guitar *Kieron McIntosh – organ, keyboards, trumpet, piano, programming, additional production, background vocals *Nick Brown – assistant *Simon Guzman – assistant *Andy Menhenitt – assistant *Komi Hakam – drum programming *Baby N Sola – background vocals *Jerry "JL" Lang – drum programming *Janelle Martin – background vocals *Aisha Shreena – background vocals *Dylan – instrumentation, keyboards, producer *Manny Marroquin – mixing *Andrea Martin – background vocals *Stuart Matthewman – engineer, vocal producer *Raphael Saadiq – producer, instrumentation *John Davis – mastering *Aisha McCray – background vocals *Femio Hernández – mixing assistant, assistant *Geoff Gascoyne – bass *Cochemea Gastelum – baritone saxophone *Joi Gilliam – background vocals *Pharrell Williams – arranger, background vocals, producer, instrumentation *Gerry Brown – engineer *Neal Sugarman – tenor saxophone *A.C. Burrell – producer, horn arrangements, additional production, instrumentation, vocal producer, string arrangements *Andrew Coleman – engineer *Gabriel Roth – horn engineer *Hart Gunther – arranger, digital editing, engineer *Eric Appapoulaye – bass, hammond b3, piano, drums, background vocals, additional production *Trevor Mires – bass trombone, tenor trombone *Dan Parry – mixing *Mr. Hudson – guitar, programming, engineer, producer, drums, percussion *Chris Braide – vocal producer *Betty Wright – background vocals {{div col end}}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ ''A Perfect Contradiction'' weekly chart performance !scope="col"|Chart (2014) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Australia|4|artist=Paloma Faith|album=A Perfect Contradiction|access-date=17 March 2014}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Flanders|64|artist=Paloma Faith|album=A Perfect Contradiction|access-date=24 March 2014}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Netherlands|41|artist=Paloma Faith|album=A Perfect Contradiction|access-date=24 March 2014}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Ireland2|8|artist=Paloma Faith|access-date=26 September 2020}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|New Zealand|9|artist=Paloma Faith|album=A Perfect Contradiction|access-date=6 October 2014}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20140316|access-date=26 September 2020}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Switzerland|91|artist=Paloma Faith|album=A Perfect Contradiction|access-date=24 March 2014}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|UK2|2|date=20140316|access-date=26 September 2020}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|UKDigital|4|date=20140316|access-date=26 September 2020}} |- !scope="row"{{album chart|Billboard200|176|artist=Paloma Faith|access-date=29 May 2025}} |- ! scope="row"| US Heatseekers (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/paloma-faith/chart-history/tln/ |title=Paloma Faith Chart History (Heatseekers Albums) |magazine=Billboard |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117202233/https://www.billboard.com/artist/paloma-faith/chart-history/tln/ |archive-date=17 November 2021}}</ref> | 6 |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ ''A Perfect Contradiction'' year-end chart performance ! scope="col"| Chart (2014) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aria.com.au/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2014.htm |title=End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Albums 2014 |work=ARIA Charts |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=7 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111061700/http://www.aria.com.au/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2014.htm |archive-date=11 January 2015}}</ref> | 29 |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums Chart<ref name="officialcharts.com"/> | 6 |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2015) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20150104/37502/ |title=End of the Year Chart |publisher=Official Charts Company |year=2015 |access-date=31 May 2025}}</ref> | 23 |}
===Decade-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ ''A Perfect Contradiction'' decade-end chart performance ! scope="col"| Chart (2010–2019) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-100-biggest-albums-of-the-decade-2010-2019__27937/ |title=The UK's Official Top 100 biggest albums of the decade |publisher=Official Charts Company |last=Copsey |first=Rob |date=11 December 2019 |access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref> | 78 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=''A Perfect Contradiction'' certifications}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Paloma Faith|title=A Perfect Contradiction|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2014|certyear=2014|access-date= 28 December 2021}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Paloma Faith|title=A Perfect Contradiction|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2014|certyear=2022|access-date=1 January 2025|source=radioscope}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Paloma Faith|title=A Perfect Contradiction|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|salesamount=771,105|salesref=<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-paloma-faith-scores-first-no-1-album/070624|title=Charts Analysis: Paloma Faith scores first No.1 album|last=Jones|first=Alan|date=24 November 2017|work=Music Week|access-date=24 November 2017|url-access=subscription }}</ref>|id=12786-2304-2|access-date=29 May 2025}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ ''A Perfect Contradiction'' release history !scope="col"| Region !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Format(s) !scope="col"| Version(s) !scope="col"| Label !scope="col"| {{Ref.}} |- !scope="row"| United Kingdom | 10 March 2014 | rowspan="2"| {{flatlist| * CD * Digital download }} |{{flatlist| * Standard * Deluxe }} | rowspan="2"| Sony | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Contradiction-Paloma-Faith/dp/B00HDMWEUC/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1411062631&sr=1-3 |title=A Perfect Contradiction: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon UK |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> |- !scope="row"| United States | 7 October 2014 | Standard | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Contradiction-Paloma-Faith/dp/B00HDMWEUC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411071222&sr=8-1&keywords=Paloma+faith |title=Amazon.com: Perfect Contradiction: Music |publisher=Amazon |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> |- !scope="row"| United Kingdom | 10 November 2014 |{{flatlist| * CD * Digital download }} |{{flatlist| * ''Outsiders' Edition'' }} | Sony | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Contradiction-Outsiders-Deluxe/dp/B00NIJ5JO2/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1411062506&sr=1-2 |title=A Perfect Contradiction: The Outsiders' Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon UK |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Paloma Faith}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perfect Contradiction}} Category:2014 albums Category:Paloma Faith albums Category:Albums produced by Raphael Saadiq Category:Albums produced by Pharrell Williams Category:Albums produced by Mr Hudson Category:Albums produced by Steve Robson