"Ethereal" and "Confident" are songs by American actress and singer Sofia Carson. They were released as a double A-side single on August 19, 2016 by Capitol Records as the first and second singles from her debut album, Ethereal (2017). "Ethereal" was written by Carson, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, while production was handled by Hermansen and Eriksen under the alias of Stargate. "Confident" was written by Carson and Mike Sabath, and produced by Sabath with additional production from Benny Blanco. The songs act as an indirect follow up to Carson's previous single, "Love Is The Name". The song marked Carson's first release under Capitol Records, following her mutual departure from her joint deal with Hollywood Records and Republic Records.
"Ethereal" was serviced to mainstream radio immediately after release on August 19, 2016. It later impacted hot adult contemporary radio on August 30. The song debuted at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Carson's first appearance on the chart as a solo artist. The song went on to peak at number four on the chart, and topped the US Mainstream Top 40 chart, which tracks the most played and the most listened tracks on pop-centric radio stations. The song reached number one on multiple official charts.
Background and release
Carson began to tease the release of new music in the summer of 2016, unrelated to her Disney projects. The song partially leaked on July 28, 2016, just three weeks prior to the song's release. Carson first teased the release of the tracks on August 5, 2016, sharing a link to her website where fans could sign up for updates though a mailing list. Just one week later, a countdown to the release was launched on the website. Both songs were made available to be pre-saved on Spotify on August 15, 2016. The songs were released to digital and streaming outlets at midnight EST on August 19, 2016.
Composition
"Ethereal" was written on the set of Disney's Descendants, on which Carson plays a vital role. The song was loosely inspired by the events that took place during the film, according to Carson. "Confident" was written alongside producer Mike Sabath during a writing session in early 2017.
"Ethereal" is a pop and dance pop song with a "catchy, pulsating rhythm" and "dance-worthy production". According to Carson, the two songs were released together to display a "taste of the subjects [her] upcoming music will be tackling".
Music video
The music video for "Ethereal" was released on August 26, 2016, and shows Carson in the environment and clothing that can also been seen in the cover artwork for both songs. The video contains product placement for various alcohol products and Beats headphones.
Live performances
Carson performed "Ethereal" for the first time at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards on August 28, 2016.
List of live performances
- August 28, 2016 – MTV Video Music Awards ("Ethereal")
- September 2, 2016 – Good Morning America ("Ethereal", "Confident", "Love Is The Name")
- October 26, 2016 – MTV Video Music Awards Japan ("Ethereal")
- November 6, 2016 – MTV Europe Music Awards ("Ethereal")
- November 23, 2016 – ARIA Music Awards ("Ethereal")
- December 10, 2016 – The Late Late Show With James Corden ("Ethereal", "Confident")
- December 12, 2016 – BBC Music Awards ("Ethereal")
- December 13, 2016 – The Voice U.S. ("Ethereal")
- December 31, 2016 – Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve ("Ethereal")
- January 10, 2017 – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ("Ethereal")
Track listing
| Digital download and CD single | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Ethereal" |
|
|
3:12 |
| 2. | "Confident" |
|
|
3:03 |
| Total length: | 6:15 | |||
| Spotify bonus track | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 3. | "Love Is The Name" |
|
|
3:27 |
| Total length: | 9:42 | |||
| R3hab Remix | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Ethereal" (R3hab Remix) |
|
|
4:18 |
Charts
"Ethereal" (Weekly charts)
| Chart (2016-17) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| Argentina (Monitor Latino) | 7 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 3 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 6 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 5 |
| Brazil (Billboard Hot 100) | 2 |
| Bulgaria (PROPHON) | 5 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 3 |
| Canada AC (Billboard) | 2 |
| Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard) | 5 |
| Canada Hot AC (Billboard) | 3 |
| CIS (Tophit) | 2 |
| Colombia (National-Report) | 50 |
| Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100) | 2 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 4 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 10 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 3 |
| France (SNEP) | 5 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 4 |
| Greece Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| Greece (IFPI) | 5 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 1 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40) | 3 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 2 |
| Israel (Media Forest) | 1 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 10 |
| Japan (Japan Hot 100) | 25 |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard) | 3 |
| Latvia (Latvijas Top 40) | 1 |
| Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20) | 2 |
| Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard) | 4 |
| Malaysia (RIM) | 2 |
| Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 5 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 5 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 4 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 7 |
| Paraguay (Monitor Latino) | 10 |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) | 1 |
| Portugal (AFP) | 12 |
| Romania (Media Forest) | 1 |
| Russia Airplay (Tophit) | 3 |
| Scotland (Official Charts Company) | 1 |
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) | 5 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 4 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 2 |
| Singapore (RIAS) | 4 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 9 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 8 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| Ukraine Airplay (Tophit) | 1 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 5 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 18 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 3 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard) | 4 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard) | 29 |
| Venezuela English (Record Report) | 3 |
"Confident" (Weekly charts)
| Chart (2016-17) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 36 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 15 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 38 |
| Finland Download (Latauslista) | 24 |
| France (SNEP) | 21 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 48 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 40 |
| Israel (Media Forest) | 5 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 48 |
| Japan (Japan Hot 100) | 52 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 24 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 46 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 30 |
| Portugal (AFP) | 58 |
| Scotland (Official Charts Company) | 21 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 29 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 66 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 54 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 37 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 35 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 50 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 27 |