V is Vanessa Hudgens' debut studio album that was released on September 26, 2006 by Hollywood Records.
Tracklisting[]
- Come Back To Me 2:47
- Let Go 2:48
- Say OK 3:41
- Never Underestimate A Girl 3:03
- Let's Dance 2:53
- Drive 3:25
- Afraid 3:17
- Promise 3:16
- Whatever Will Be 3:47
- Rather Be With You 3:34
- Psychic 3:01
- Lose Your Love 3:01
Target/Walmart edition bonus tracks
- Don't Talk
- Make You Mine
- Too Emotional
- Drip Drop
Album Background[]
After participating in High School Musical, Hollywood Records made a proposal for Vanessa Hudgens to start a solo music career.
The album was produced June 1 to August 31, 2006, as the record company insisted that the album was to be recorded and produced quickly.
According to Vanessa: "I did it my way. My single "Come Back to Me" is kind of pop and R&B, but the rest of the album brings a bit of pop rock, electronic music, and some ballads. It is a mixture of everything."
Hudgens stated the title of the album stands for Vanessa, but also for variety because the album is a mix of genres and styles.
Chart Performance[]
"V" debuted on the US Billboard 200 in early October 2006 at #24 on the chart, with 34,000 copies sold in its first week. It dropped off the Billboard 200 after 32 weeks on the chart.
On February 27, 2007, the album was certified gold in the US for shipments to retailers of 500,000 copies.
"V" was certified platinum in Argentina for sales of 8,000 copies, under DVD category. As of April 2008, the album has sold 570,000 copies in the United States.
Critical Reception[]
Upon its release, "V" received generally positive reviews from most music critics.
Mentioned in "Identified" review, Heather Phares praised the album "was her first step toward a less overtly Disney-affiliated career: released by the studio's Hollywood label, it used Christina Aguilera's soulful pop as a template; even if its songs were a bit faceless, they had surprisingly sophisticated production values."
She noted that Hudgens "sings about love, dancing, and hanging with her girls" and repeated again in "Identified", "the production outclasses the songs and the singing".
Nate Cavalieri Rhapsody Music said: "This collection of pop and sugary R&B keeps the messages squeaky clean, even with hints that she is willing to break your shyness. The singles are well built and the best are" Come Back to Me "dancing to "Let's Dance" and a dedication surprisingly emotive long-distance, "Afraid".
Commonsense Media's Tony Whittum said: "The first album Hudgens is well positioned to win the approval of the teen market. His 12 relatively simple, romantic and sweet pop songs about boys, hanging out with friends, dancing, female power and tribulations of a very young life are delivered with the latest plain, recycled, computer programmed beats and hip-hop."
He further added: "Hudgens is strong, stable and comfortable in the medium, as when she is singing a dance song" Let's Dance "and pop rock" Never Underestimate a Girl. "Otherwise, your voice can range from the diminutive and shy the strident edge. With her voice and her musical talent mature, it would be nice to see Hudgens take more risks and produce something more original. Then, as their audience matures, they will not leave it behind."
Promotion[]
Hudgens promoted the album when opening for The Cheetah Girls during their The Party's Just Begun Tour.
She promoted her album on the High School Musical: The Concert tour, regularly singing "Say OK". She also performed "Come Back to Me", "Say OK" and "Let's Dance" in the concert.
Vanessa performed various songs off the album on her Identified Summer Tour which also promoted her second studio album "Identified."