The album was recorded in 2006, three years before its release. At the time, Johansson had just finished filming The Prestige and Yorn had just released his third solo album, Nightcrawler.
The idea for the album came to Yorn in a dream. He said, "I woke up one morning and heard 'Relator' in my head. It sounded like a duet to me, and I thought of Scarlett's voice. I didn't know her at the time, but I had a feeling that she would like the song."
Yorn contacted Johansson through a mutual friend and sent her a demo of 'Relator'. She liked it and agreed to record it with him. They met for the first time at a studio in Los Angeles and recorded the song in one take.
Johansson completed her vocals for the rest of the album in two afternoon sessions. She said, "It was very casual, very relaxed. We didn't have any expectations or pressure. It was just a fun thing to do."
The album was produced by Sunny Levine, who is Yorn's cousin and Quincy Jones' grandson. He also played drums, keyboards, and bass on some of the tracks.
The only cover song on the album is 'I Am the Cosmos', which was written and recorded by Chris Bell, a founding member of Big Star. Yorn said he chose the song because he thought it suited Johansson's voice and because he was a fan of Bell's work.
The album was released on September 15, 2009, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Gainsbourg and Bardot's first duet album, Bonnie and Clyde.
The album received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Johansson's vocals but criticized Yorn's songwriting and production. Some also compared the album unfavorably to Johansson's previous solo album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, which featured covers of Tom Waits songs.
The album was a commercial success in France, where it was certified gold for selling over 50,000 copies. It also charted in several other countries, including Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada.
Johansson and Yorn performed live together only once, on a French television show called Le Grand Journal. They sang 'Relator' and were interviewed by the host. They also did a radio session for KCRW, where they played five songs from the album and a cover of The Kinks' 'Stop Your Sobbing'.
Break Up is a unique and intriguing collaboration between two artists who have different backgrounds but share a common passion for music. The album captures the emotions and dynamics of a doomed romance with honesty and charm. It is a rare example of a break up album that is not bitter or depressing, but rather playful and nostalgic.
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