333 (Tinashe album)

Following her departure from RCA Records in 2019, Tinashe returned to independent music-making with Songs for You (2019). She explained that independence allowed her to reassess her purpose in the music industry and refine a more self-directed, "DIY" approach. Tinashe emphasized that producing and recording her own material remained central to the album's creation. She described this self-sufficient approach as foundational to 333, particularly as she sought to strengthen her confidence as a creator and advocate for women producers and engineers. During Billboards 2022 Women in Music event, Tinashe explained that releasing the deluxe edition of 333 "gives the album a little bit more life", which allowed her to create more videos and performances and continue the era while keeping fans engaged with additional content. ==Release and promotion==

Marketing and promotion On May 28, 2021, Tinashe started to tease her album through her social media. On June 1, she posted a mysterious teaser video featuring the numbers "333", which she had previously referenced in earlier visuals including the Tokyo version of "Save Room for Us", and updated her social media images to match. In the video, she was shown reading the fictional "Pasadena Post", accompanied by a slowed, unreleased version of a track playing in the background. The album's release date had also been revealed in a 42-second visual clip, which depicted Tinashe with a third eye on her forehead and another on the palm of her hand. During the rollout of 333, Tinashe addressed fan inquiries about the album's physical editions, explaining that their delay was due to production issues. She also mentioned that she had additional songs recorded and teased the release of deluxe edition, when speaking about the possibility of an expanded release. On March 3, 2022, the album's deluxe edition was released, which features four additional tracks: "Something Like a Heartbreak", "HMU for a Good Time" (featuring Channel Tres), "Naturally" and "Woke Up Blessed". Singles and other songs "Pasadena" featuring American rapper Buddy was released as the album's lead single on June 4, 2021. It was co-written and produced by Oliver Malcolm. The music video, directed by Micaiah Carter, premiered on June 10, on Tinashe's YouTube channel. The video was created as a collaborative effort with photography mobile-app VSCO, and was further promoted through a social media creative challenge hosted by the company which encouraged users to create and share contents inspired by the music video, using the hashtag #VSCOPasadena. The second single "Bouncin was released on July 9; its music video was subsequently released on July 14, directed by Lloyd Pursall and choreographed by Parris Goebel. "I Can See the Future" was released as a promotional single on July 23, along with the album's track list announcement. The third single of 333, "X", featuring Jeremih, was released on January 21, 2022, alongside a music video of both "X" and "I Can See the Future", directed by Sebastian Sdaigui. "Naturally" was released as the lead single from the album's deluxe edition on February 14. It was promoted with a music video, inspired by the horror movie The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The music video for "HMU for a Good Time", featuring Channel Tres, was surprise released on June 24, directed by Jonah Haber and choreographed by Jojo Gomez. Tour To promote the album, Tinashe announced the 333 Tour, with Rei Ami as the supporting act. Tickets went on sale on July 16, with pre-sale and VIP packages available from July 13, through Tinashe's official website. After several dates were sold out, new dates were added to the tour. The tour was set to conclude with a "worldwide digital experience", described as "a full-length creative production specially crafted for at-home fans around the world", in partnership with Moment House. ==Composition==

333 is a pop and R&B It continues Tinashe's movement away from the conventional "pop princess" image associated with her former label. She then moves across "an eclectic landscape of sounds", centered on "fluttery impressionistic R&B" but extending to "neon arena anthems" like the Stargate-produced "The Chase", "undulating synth-pop" on "Undo (Back to My Heart)" with Motif, "breathless dance-adjacent hip-hop" on the Buddy collaboration "Pasadena", and "darkly spacious slow jams" on the Paige duet "Angels". It also presents a narrator who concludes, "You didn't deserve my love", and later adds that she is "thankful that you cracked me open". whose music video presents an energetic party setting that indicates the track's title. "Naturally" is a "smooth and effortless bop", according to Stereogum. The Fader described it as a tribute to "the most sensual kind of muscle memory", saying Tinashe's performance over "twangy guitar" and a "gently disco-fied rhythm section" aimed at drawing a specific person to the dancefloor. Rated R&B noted that among the new tracks, "Woke Up Blessed" stands out as the closing song. ==Title and artwork==

The album's title is an allusion to the angel number, associated with messages from the divine of protection, love, and destiny. According to Uproxx, the number "333" is a "reassuring sign" that indicates one is on the correct path, acknowledging fears and anxieties while emphasizing optimism. For the cover artwork, the cover depicts a "sci-fi-themed" image == Critical reception ==

Uproxx noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic may appear to be a primary influence, the album's inspiration runs much deeper for Tinashe. Year-end lists Uproxx included the album in both The 50 Best Albums of 2021 and The 15 Best R&B Albums of 2021, while Vibe ranked it No. 2 on The 21 Best R&B Albums of 2021. The album was also placed at No. 5 on 34th Street's The Best Albums of 2021, and Spin ranked it No. 9 on The 30 Best Albums of 2021, additionally listing "Bouncin'" at No. 11 on The 30 Best Songs of 2021. Further recognition included PopBuzzs placement of the album at No. 14 on The 30 Best Albums of 2021 and Okayplayer ranking it No. 16. Insider Inc. featured 333 at No. 19 on its year-end list, followed by Cosmopolitan at No. 22. Slant Magazine ranked it No. 35 on The 50 Best Albums of 2021. Pitchfork selected 333 for its unranked feature The Best Progressive Pop Music of 2021, and placed "Bouncin at No. 16 on The 100 Best Songs of 2021. Stereogum ranked "Pasadena" at No. 28 on The Best Pop Songs of 2021, and included "X" in its unranked The Best Songs of 2021. HipHopDX featured "Bouncin and "Angels" at Nos. 26 and 45, respectively, on The Best R&B Songs of the Year. Additional recognition came from NPR, which ranked "X" at No. 90 on The 100 Best Songs of 2021, and BrooklynVegan, which placed "X" at No. 3 on 15 R&B Songs That Defined 2021. == Track listing ==

Notes • "Unconditional" contains a hidden track called "I Dare You" starting at 1:11. == Personnel ==

Credits were adapted from Tidal. • Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe – composer (all tracks), lyricist (all tracks) • Jeremih – featured artist (3) • Kaash Paige – featured artist (7) • Absolutely – featured artist (8) • Wax Motif – featured artist (9) • Buddy – featured artist (13) • Kudzai – featured artist (16) • Quiet Child – featured artist (16) • Channel Tres – featured artist (18) ==Charts==