Following the series finale of the
eleventh season of
American Idol Sanchez was signed to
Interscope Records/
19 Entertainment to begin work on her debut studio album. Recording for the album began during the
American Idols Live! Tour 2012 in mid-July. She worked with producers
Mark J. Feist,
Harvey Mason, Jr. and
Toby Gad among others for the album. It was set to feature ballads but would exhibit "more of an R&B/Pop/Urban kind of feel". The album's recording and production wrapped in mid January 2013 where the final track listing was selected mixed and mastered. It was initially set for release on May 14, 2013, but this was later moved up to April 30. Fans of
American Idol have gotten used to a full-length debut from that season's winner and, typically, a few weeks later, an album from the year's runner-up. Season 11, however, was different, as Sanchez was allowed more time on the project to craft the right sound and direction for the album. Jason Morey,
executive vice president and worldwide head of music for
19 Entertainment told
MTV News that the management company was in no hurry to rush Sanchez's debut out. "We wanted to develop her into an artist with longevity, and wanted her to put out a product that truly showcased her as the artist she wants to be and we wanted to take the time to make it perfect," he said. "She is truly a world class singer and we wanted to put her with the biggest producers and writers in the business ... She literally blew everyone away in the studio with her talent and as she began working, more opportunities arose for her to work with different people."' When speaking on the wait for the album Sanchez said, "I wanted to make it perfect for the fans. "I've worked in the studio before, but going to that next level with such high producers? It was crazy ... working with Ne-Yo. Everything was such a blur and I was just a fangirl the whole time." The album was later confirmed to have 11 tracks. A planned deluxe edition with 16 tracks did not eventuate. ==Commercial performance==