Aquarius

Aquarius is the debut studio album by American singer Tinashe. It was released on October 3, 2014, through RCA Records. In 2011, after the disbandment of the girl group the Stunners, Tinashe announced that she would begin pursuing a solo career. The following year, she released her debut mixtape, titled In Case We Die (2012). After raising her profile with the mixtape, Tinashe met with RCA, where she subsequently signed a recording contract. Following her signing a record deal, Tinashe immediately began working on the album. During the recording process, she released two other mixtapes, Reverie (2012) and Black Water (2013).

Aquarius, titled after Tinashe's zodiac sign, incorporates several genres including R&B, alternative R&B, and pop. The album's production was characterized as being synthetic, with atmospherics and minimalist beats and electronics, and its composition drew comparisons to a variety of artists, including the Weeknd and Aaliyah. Most of the songs were written by Tinashe herself, also serving as the album's executive producer alongside Mike Nazzaro.

Upon its release, Aquarius received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production, lyrics, and themes, with reviewers comparing it to the work of Janet Jackson. The album debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard 200, selling 18,821 copies in its first week. It also charted in Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. The album was promoted with the release of three singles—"2 On", "Pretend", and "All Hands on Deck"—with the first reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.