"Relax" is a song by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters from her second studio album, Storyteller (1994). It was released in 1995 by Mercury Records as the fourth and last single from the album and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. In the UK, it reached number 37. The song was written by Waters with its producer, David Anthony. The accompanying black-and-white music video was directed by German director Marcus Nispel.
Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine complimented the song as a "breezy, pop-inflected houser", and a "notable single-ready moment" from the Storyteller album. He also called it "lively" and "disco charged". M.R. Martinez from Cash Box found that tracks like "Relax" make the album "more than a dance record." James Masterton for Dotmusic deemed it "slightly formulaic and disappointing". Ross Jones from The Guardian said that Waters "delivers another of her berserkly positive electro-scat anthems, this one imploring you to kick back even when you're "mad at the world"."Jones, Ross (November 25, 1995). "Reviews: Singles". p. 33. The Guardian. Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel described it as a "thick disco song". A reviewer from Music Week gave it three out of five, describing it as "an uplifting and catchy track with those recognisable vocals that feels as though it might be equally at home on radio as in the clubs." Michael Wilson of Rolling Stone felt songs like "Relax" "are pleasant enough but don't push Waters beyond where she has been before."Wilson, Michael (August 25, 1994). "Recordings". Rolling Stone Issue 689. Jonathan Bernstein from Spin named it a "potential successor" to Waters' signature singles.
Track listing and formats 12-inch single, US "Relax" (Jazz-N-Groove club mix) – 10:13 "Relax" (LP version) – 3:29 "Relax" (Lorimer Vission mix) – 6:10 "Relax" (Tony B!'s mix) – 7:09
CD single, Europe "Relax" (Lorimer Vission radio edit) – 3:09 "Relax" (LP version) – 3:29 "Relax" (Lorimer Vission mix) – 6:10 "Relax" (Tin Tin Out Crystallized mix) – 6:51
CD maxi, Canada "Relax" (LP version) – 3:29 "Relax" (Lorimer Vission radio mix) – 3:09 "Relax" (Jazz-N-Groove club mix) – 10:13 "Relax" (Lorimer Vission mix) – 6:10 "Relax" (Tony B's mix) – 7:09
Charts Chart (1995)PeakpositionsAustralia (ARIA) N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.133Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 78Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Relax" for Israeli chart history.26
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States1995MercuryUnited KingdomNovember 13, 1995
References