{{short description|2006 album by Lady Sovereign}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox album | name = Public Warning | type = studio | artist = Lady Sovereign | cover = Ladysovereign publicwarning.jpg | alt = The cover shows a boombox with the artist's name in front of it, colored in yellow. Below it is a beige brick wall filled with graffiti and images of the artist. The artist herself appears to spray paint the album's title in black on the wall. | released = {{Start date|df=yes|2006|10|31}} | recorded = 2004–2006 | studio = | genre = *Grime *hip hop *electronica | length = 44:27 | label = *Def Jam *Island *Island Def Jam | producer = *Basement Jaxx *Dr. Luke *Medasyn | prev_title = Blah Blah | prev_year = 2006 | next_title = Jigsaw | next_year = 2009 | misc = {{Singles | name = Public Warning | type = studio | single1 = Random | single1date = 14 March 2005 | single2 = 9 to 5 | single2date = 8 August 2005 | single3 = Hoodie | single3date = 21 November 2005 | single4 = Love Me or Hate Me | single4date = 30 October 2006 | single5 = Those Were the Days | single5date = 9 April 2007 }} }} '''''Public Warning''''' is the first studio album by English hip hop artist Lady Sovereign, released on 31 October 2006. Was originally due for release in November 2005 but was pushed back after Lady Sovereign was signed by Island Def Jam.
In a July 2006 press release, the album's track listing was confirmed. ''Public Warning'' features Lady Sovereign's three past singles, tracks from her two EPs: ''Vertically Challenged'' and ''Blah Blah'', as well as newly recorded tracks for the release, including "Love Me or Hate Me" and "Those Were the Days". The album was released in the U.K. on 5 February 2007, with a live cover of the Sex Pistols' "Pretty Vacant" as a bonus track.
''Public Warning'' received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the production and lyrical content for carrying both humor and substance. The album sold over 125,000 copies in the United States<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lady-sovereign-starts-label-preps-album-266142/|magazine=Billboard|title=Lady Sovereign Starts Label, Preps Album|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|date=8 December 2008|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114211059/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lady-sovereign-starts-label-preps-album-266142/|archive-date=14 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> and sold 250,000 copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/can-celebrity-big-brother-save-lady-sovereigns-career-782293|magazine=NME|title=Can Celebrity Big Brother Save Lady Sovereign's Career?|first=Talia|last=Sogohomnian|date=4 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110235135/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/can-celebrity-big-brother-save-lady-sovereigns-career-782293|archive-date=10 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 67/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/public-warning/lady-sovereign|title=Reviews for Public Warning by Lady Sovereign|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625110754/https://www.metacritic.com/music/public-warning/lady-sovereign|archive-date=25 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/public-warning-mw0000555886|title=Public Warning – Lady Sovereign|last=Jeffries|first=David|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=8 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916090205/https://www.allmusic.com/album/public-warning-mw0000555886|archive-date=16 September 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The A.V. Club'' | rev2score = B+<ref name="AVClub">{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/lady-sovereign-public-warning-1798202136|title=Review: Lady Sovereign: Public Warning|last=Matos|first=Michaelangelo|newspaper=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|date=14 November 2006|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114204042/https://www.avclub.com/lady-sovereign-public-warning-1798202136|archive-date=14 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Drowned in Sound'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref name="DiS">{{cite magazine|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/9144/reviews/1595624-|title=Album Review: Lady Sovereign – Public Warning|last=Diver|first=Mike|magazine=Drowned in Sound|date=7 February 2007|accessdate=15 April 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202426/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/9144/reviews/1595624-|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev4score = B<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/10/30/public-warning/|title=Public Warning|last=Endelman|first=Michael|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|date=30 October 2006|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114203549/https://ew.com/article/2006/10/30/public-warning/|archive-date=14 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev5 = ''The Guardian'' | rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/feb/02/urban.shopping|title=CD: Lady Sovereign, Public Warning|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 February 2007|access-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624130646/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/feb/02/urban.shopping|archive-date=24 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev6score = 6.4/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9582-public-warning/|title=Lady Sovereign: Public Warning!|last=Dombal|first=Ryan|website=Pitchfork|date=1 November 2006|access-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623131421/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9582-public-warning/|archive-date=23 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev7 = ''PopMatters'' | rev7score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="PM">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/lady-sovereign-public-warning-2495703251.html|title=Lady Sovereign: Public Warning|last=Raper|first=Dan|magazine=PopMatters|date=16 October 2006|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922072958/https://www.popmatters.com/lady-sovereign-public-warning-2495703251.html|archive-date=22 September 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ladysovereign/albums/album/12056662/review/12060155/public_warning|title=Lady Sovereign: Public Warning|last=Hsu|first=Hua|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=18 October 2006|access-date=15 April 2015|archive-date=11 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211155506/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ladysovereign/albums/album/12056662/review/12060155/public_warning|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Slant">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/lady-sovereign-public-warning/|title=Lady Sovereign: Public Warning|last=Jones|first=Preston|magazine=Slant Magazine|date=24 October 2006|access-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114204858/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/lady-sovereign-public-warning/|archive-date=14 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Stylus Magazine'' | rev10score = D+<ref name="Stylus">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/lady-sovereign/public-warning.htm|title=Lady Sovereign – Public Warning! – Review|last=Shipley|first=Al|magazine=Stylus Magazine|date=7 November 2006|access-date=8 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061112135820/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/lady-sovereign/public-warning.htm|archive-date=12 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> }} ''Public Warning'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 67, based on 34 reviews.<ref name="MC"/>
AllMusic editor David Jeffries praised the album for Medasyn's production and Sovereign's lyrical content for being relatable, calling it "an exciting introduction to an extraordinary artist captured at just the right time."<ref name="AM"/> Michaelangelo Matos of ''The A.V. Club'' compared the album to The Sex Pistols, praising tracks like "Tango" and "Hoodie" for their angst-filled energy, saying "Even if Sov doesn't cross over the way she or Def Jam might want her to, she still sounds like an original—even for people who know half the songs already."<ref name="AVClub"/> Mike Diver of ''Drowned in Sound'' praised the album for having solid production and lyrical content that's both gritty and humorous, saying "When her tongue's in cheek and her rhymes amuse, Lady Sovereign is hugely entertaining."<ref name="DiS"/>
Michael Endelman of ''Entertainment Weekly'' found criticism in the album's overly frenetic beats and out-of-tune choruses but praised Sovereign for her humor and lyrical flow, saying that her "rubbery rhymes and punky energy are definitely entertaining, and well worth sampling in moderate doses."<ref name="EW"/> Steve 'Flash' Juon of ''RapReviews'' commented that Sovereign's heavily accented lyrics and electronic beats can get abrasive at times but said the album has crossover potential because of her flow and humor that requires little British familiarity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2006_11_publicwarning.html|title=Lady Sovereign :: Public Warning :: Def Jam|last=Juon|first=Steve 'Flash'|website=RapReviews|date=7 November 2006|access-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002214516/https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2006_11_publicwarning.html|archive-date=2 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
The album also received negative reception from critics. Alex Macpherson of ''The Guardian'' commented on Sovereign's talent being wasted on hollow content and production that moved towards ska-punk than grime, calling it "the sound of a fantastic artist seemingly intent on compromising all her strengths."<ref name="Guardian"/> Baz Dreisinger of ''The Village Voice'' compared Sovereign to Eminem, commenting on the catchy choruses, juvenile humor and one-liners throughout the album but felt that it lacked character and substance to match the comparison.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-10-31/music/pint-sized-tea-shunning-femme-mc-cleans-out-her-closet/|title=Pint-Sized, Tea-Shunning Femme MC Cleans Out Her Closet|last=Dreisinger|first=Baz|newspaper=The Village Voice|publisher=Voice Media Group|date=31 October 2006|access-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416115658/http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-10-31/music/pint-sized-tea-shunning-femme-mc-cleans-out-her-closet/|archive-date=16 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The most critical of the album was Al Shipley of ''Stylus Magazine'', who heavily criticized the botched humor, synthpop production and Sovereign's lyrical flow, saying that she "simulates the altogether new and horrible experience of hearing Eliza Doolittle rap."<ref name="Stylus"/>
''Rolling Stone'' ranked the album number 48 on its list of Best Albums of 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.stereogum.com/4165/rolling_stones_best_albums_of_06/franchises/list/|title=''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s Best Albums Of '06|author=Stereogum Staff|magazine=Stereogum|publisher=SpinMedia|date=14 December 2006|access-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805051028/http://www.stereogum.com/4165/rolling_stones_best_albums_of_06/franchises/list/|archive-date=August 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Censored version== A censored version was also released that used backmasking and sound effects over the profanities. The album booklet still has all the lyrics written out, but the profanities are starred over.
==Track listing== {{track listing | headline = ''Public Warning'' track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = 9 to 5 | writer1 = {{hlist|Louise Harman|Gabriel Olegavich}} | extra1 = Medasyn | length1 = 3:32 | title2 = Gatheration | writer2 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich|Danny Harrison|Arthur Smith}} | extra2 = Menta | length2 = 3:23 | title3 = Random | writer3 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich|Harrison|Smith}} | extra3 = Menta | length3 = 3:36 | title4 = Public Warning | writer4 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra4 = Medasyn | length4 = 3:46 | title5 = Love Me or Hate Me | writer5 = {{hlist|Harman|Lukasz Gottwald}} | extra5 = Dr. Luke | length5 = 3:29 | title6 = My England | writer6 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra6 = Medasyn | length6 = 3:57 | title7 = Tango | writer7 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra7 = Medasyn | length7 = 3:37 | title8 = A Little Bit of Shhh | writer8 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra8 = Medasyn | length8 = 3:45 | title9 = Hoodie | writer9 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra9 = Medasyn | length9 = 3:37 | title10 = Those Were the Days | writer10 = {{hlist|Harman|Gottwald}} | extra10 = Dr Luke | length10 = 3:50 | title11 = Blah Blah | writer11 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra11 = Basement Jaxx | length11 = 3:57 | title12 = Fiddle with the Volume | writer12 = {{hlist|Harman|Olegavich}} | extra12 = Medasyn | length12 = 3:37 | title13 = Love Me or Hate Me | writer13 = {{hlist|Harman|Gottwald|Missy Elliott}} | note13 = Remix featuring Missy Elliott | extra13 = Dr Luke | length13 = 3:38 }}
{{track listing | headline = UK special edition bonus track | title14 = Pretty Vacant | note14 = Live at Commodore Ballroom | writer14 = | length14 = 3:38 }}
{{track listing | headline = Japan bonus tracks | title14 = Ch Ching (Cheque 1 2) | writer14 = | length14 = 4:47 | title15 = Pretty Vacant | note15 = Live at Commodore Ballroom | length15 = 3:38 }}
{{Track listing | headline = iTunes bonus tracks | title14 = Pretty Vacant | note14 = live at Commodore Ballroom | length14 = 3:38 | title15 = The Broom | length15 = 4:02 | title16 = Hoodie | note16 = Mizz Beats Remix; featuring Skepta, JME, Jammer, Ears & Baby Blue | length16 = 4:07 | title17 = 9 to 5 | note17 = The Ordinary Boys Remix | length17 = 3:25 }}
* The enhanced CD contains a link to a 15-minute documentary
==Charts== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Chart performance for ''Public Warning'' !scope="col"|Chart (2006) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"|Australian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue874.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20061219130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20061220-0000/issue874.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-19|title=Public Warning ARIA album chart|publisher=}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|97 |- {{album chart|UK|58|artist=Lady Sovereign|rowheader=true|access-date=21 September 2008}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|48|artist=Lady Sovereign|rowheader=true|access-date=21 September 2008}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRap|12|artist=Lady Sovereign|rowheader=true|access-date=21 September 2008}} |}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release history and formats for ''Public Warning'' ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label |- ! scope="row" | United States<ref name="iTunesUS">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/public-warning/201855439|title=iTunes – Music – Public Warning by Lady Sovereign|publisher=iTunes Store (US). Apple|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref> | 31 October 2006 | Digital download, CD | rowspan="4"|Def Jam |- ! scope="row" | United States<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Public-Warning-Vinyl-Lady-Sovereign/dp/B000KP7JAE|title=Lady Sovereign: Public Warning [Vinyl]|website=Amazon|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref> | 12 December 2006 | Vinyl |- ! scope="row" | United Kingdom | 5 February 2007 | Digital download, CD |- ! scope="row" | Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/Public-Warning-Lady-Sovereign/dp/B000IFRQAY |title=Public Warning - Lady Sovereign |website=Amazon.de |language=German |accessdate=20 August 2018}}</ref> | 30 March 2007 | Digital download, CD |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Lady Sovereign}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2006 debut albums Category:Lady Sovereign albums Category:Def Jam Recordings albums Category:Albums produced by Dr. Luke