Why Chloe Bailey’s “In Pieces” Isn’t Doing Big Numbers
Chloe Bailey, also known by her stage name Chloe, is a singer and actress who rose to fame with her sister Halle as part of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. The sisters signed with Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment in 2015 and released two acclaimed albums, The Kids Are Alright and Ungodly Hour. However, in 2021, they decided to pursue solo projects, with Halle taking on the lead role in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid and Chloe releasing her debut solo album, In Pieces, on March 31, 2023.
In Pieces is a personal and vulnerable album that showcases Chloe’s vocal range and emotionality. The album features collaborations with Future, Chris Brown, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X. Chloe has described the album with this message:
It's okay to not have it all together—none of us are perfect and as well-kept as we might seem. We're all in pieces. We all have things that have broken us down—we all have fears. We all have scars but it's just who wears them the best.
Even though it has received positive reviews from critics and fans, the album has not performed well commercially. According to reports, the album sold only 10,000 units in its first week, which is a huge drop from Chloe x Halle’s Ungodly Hour, which sold 24,000 units in its first week. The album also failed to produce any hit singles or chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
So what are the reasons behind Chloe's disappointing debut? Several factors could have contributed to the album's lackluster performance. A few possibilities are listed below.
The lack of promotion and marketing
There didn’t seem to be any significant label push, leaving some to believe that Beyonce might have stifled her success. She also did not have a lot of media appearances or interviews to promote the album. The only notable performance she did was on Saturday Night Live on April 8, which was a week after the album’s release.
The backlash from some fans and online trolls
Chloe has faced a lot of criticism and hate for her solo work, for example, her performance of the classic songs Feeling Good and Lovin’ You—which some people felt was too sexualized or disrespectful to the original artists. She also received negative comments for her revealing outfits and her collaboration with Chris Brown. Chloe has said that she has become “numb” to the backlash. Who can blame her?
Delays
The album was originally announced in 2021, but it took until 2023 to be released. This might have caused some loss of interest or hype among fans and listeners.
These are just a few possible reasons why Chloe Bailey isn’t performing well on her new album. This does not mean that she is a failure or that she should give up on her solo career—she is still a talented and versatile artist who has a lot of potential and creativity.