Empathogen (album)

Empathogen is the sixth studio album by American singer Willow. It was released through Three Six Zero and Gamma on May 3, 2024.

Empathogen
Standard edition cover
Studio album by Willow
Released	May 3, 2024 (2024-05-03)
Genre	Jazz progressive rock
Length	32:00
Label	Three Six Zero Gamma
Producer	Jon Batiste Eddie Benjamin Chris Greatti Willow
Willow chronology
Coping Mechanism (2022) Empathogen (2024)
Singles from Empathogen
"Symptom of Life" Released: March 12, 2024 "Big Feelings" Released: April 11, 2024

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pitchfork	6.8/10
Sputnikmusic	4.3/5

Release and promotion

Willow released the song "Symptom of Life" on March 12, 2024. A music video directed by the artist herself accompanied the song's release. Willow announced Empathogen on April 11, with a scheduled release date of May 3. Alongside the announcement, she released the second single "Big Feelings", which also featured a self-directed music video. On May 1, NPR Music featured Willow in a Tiny Desk Concert ahead of the album's release, where she performed "Symptom of Life", "Big Feelings", and another track from the album, "Run!". Empathogen was released on May 3, through Three Six Zero and Gamma. A deluxe edition titled Ceremonial Contrafact was released on September 27, with three additional tracks.

Track listing

Empathogen standard track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Home" (featuring Jon Batiste)	Willow Smith Jon Batiste Kate Munger	Smith Batiste Zach Brown[a]	3:03
2.	"Ancient Girl"	Smith	Smith	1:30
3.	"Symptom of Life"	Smith Asher Bank Chris Greatti Brad Oberhofer	Smith Greatti	3:09
4.	"The Fear is Not Real"	Smith Greatti	Smith Greatti	3:38
5.	"False Self"	Taylor Gordon Greatti	Smith Greatti	2:52
6.	"Pain for Fun" (featuring St. Vincent)	Smith Annie Clark Greatti	Smith Greatti	3:26
7.	"No Words 1 & 2"	Smith Eddie Benjamin	Smith Benjamin	1:24
8.	"Down"	Smith Benjamin	Smith Benjamin	1:11
9.	"Run!"	Smith Greatti	Smith Greatti	3:08
10.	"Between I and She"	Smith Bank Greatti Elijah Rawk	Smith Greatti Rawk[a]	2:34
11.	"'I Know That Face.'"	Smith Benjamin	Smith Benjamin	1:50
12.	"Big Feelings"	Smith Greatti Zach Tenorio	Smith Greatti	4:24
Total length:				32:00

Ceremonial Contrafact (Empathogen deluxe) track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
13.	"Wanted" (featuring Kamasi Washington)	Smith Benjamin Kamasi Washington	Smith Benjamin	2:39
14.	"Layers"	Smith Benjamin	Smith Benjamin	2:37
15.	"To You"	Smith Antonio Mollura	Smith	1:30
Total length:				39:03

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an additional producer

Personnel

Musicians

• Willow Smith – lead vocals (all tracks), guitar (tracks 1, 2), background vocals (4, 5), electric guitar (4, 9)
• Zach Brown – bass guitar, percussion (track 1)
• Jon Batiste – drums, piano, vocals (track 1)
• Chris Greatti – bass guitar (tracks 3–6, 9, 10, 12), guitar (3, 5), percussion (3–5, 9), acoustic guitar (4, 6, 9, 10), piano (9), electric guitar (10, 12)
• Asher Bank – drums (tracks 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12)
• Brad Oberhofer – piano (track 3)
• Zach Tenorio – piano, synthesizer (tracks 5, 6, 12); strings (5)
• Annie Clark – vocals (track 6)
• Eddie Benjamin – bass guitar, drums, guitar, synthesizer (tracks 7, 8, 11)
• Elijah Rawk – acoustic guitar, bass guitar (track 10)

Technical

• Joe LaPorta – mastering
• Mitch McCarthy – mixing
• Nathan Hoffeldt - mastering, engineering, recording (all tracks)
• Zach Brown – engineering (tracks 1, 2)
• Adam Schoeller – engineering (track 3)
• Chris Greatti – engineering (track 3)
• Oscar Cornejo – engineering (track 11)

Charts

Chart performance for Empathogen

Chart (2024)	Peak position
US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard)	3