Lemonade

"Lemonade" is a song by Romanian singer Alexandra Stan, released on radio airplay in Italy June 12, 2012, followed by its digital release on June 14, 2012 through MediaPro Music in Romania and on August 1, 2012 in Japan. The track was written and produced by Marcel Prodan and Andrei Nemirschi, and was recorded at their Maan Studio. "Lemonade" was supposed to be the lead single of Stan's second studio album, but the record's release was postponed following an alleged physical altercation with her manager Marcel Prodan, which led to Stan accusing him of multiple offenses in a court case. A Japan-only reissue of Saxobeats titled Cliché (Hush Hush), was released in October 2013 with the addition of three singles. The single incorporates EDM, reggae-pop and dubstep into its composition; it makes use of harmonica and accordions. Upon its release, "Lemonade" was met with positive reviews from music critics, with them naming it "catchy", "fresh" and a highlight, while one of them foresaw it as having a strong radio performance. It also drew comparations to the works of Britney Spears, Kelis and Lady Gaga. At the Radio România Actualități Awards gala in 2013, the recording received a nomination for Radio România Junior.

An accompanying music video for the recording was posted onto YouTube on June 4, 2012; it was shot by Iulian Moga in Buftea, Romania, and portrays Stan walking through the city and being present at a block party. Commercially, "Lemonade" peaked on some European record charts, becoming a number-one hit in Bulgaria and reaching the top thirty in Romania, Italy, Japan and Slovakia. It was as well certified Gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry (FIMI) for selling 15,000 copies in Italy.



Background and composition
Winston Cook-Wilson from Inverse called the song an EDM, reggae and "sunny" pop recording featuring a "nonsensical" harmonica. Bradley Stern, writing for MuuMuse, named the genre of the track "Ace of Base-esque reggae-pop", while labeling its lyrics as "completely nonsense" and noticing the use of accordions. Furthermore, Stern pointed out a "stuttering" dubstep breakdown throughout "Lemonade". Jonathan Hamard from Pure Charts felt that the recording was of dance-pop genre, auguring "a major musical turn with reggae sounds".

Commercial performance
Upon its release, "Lemonade" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Website Inverse's Winston Cook-Wilson praised the track for being complex. Cook-Wilson continued into saying that the recording "is just something to sip on a hot day — also, a way to cool down when thinking about a loved one". Kevin Apaza, writing for Direct Lyrics labelled the single "fresh and funky", confessing that he likes it better than its predecessors "1.000.000" and "Get Back (ASAP)". Furthermore, Apaza foreseed "Lemonade" as a club hit with the help of "a few killer remixes". MTV declared the song as being "catchy", while stating that "you'd be hard-pressed to turn down a glass of what Stan’s serving this summer". Music channel Utv applauded the single, foreseeing it successful on radio. At the Radio România Actualități Awards gala in 2013, the recording received a nomination for Radio România Junior.

"Lemonade" debuted at number 74 on the Italian Singles Chart, with it eventually reaching its peak position at number 25. It was certified Gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry (FIMI) for selling 15,000 copies in that territory. The recording remained a number-one hit in Bulgaria, while peaking at number 70 in Czech Republic, number 38 in Hungary, number 18 in Slovakia and number 27 on the Japan Hot 100. On native Airplay 100, "Lemonade" managed to peak at number 22.

Music video
An accompanying music video for "Lemonade" was posted onto the YouTube channel of Stan's label, Maan Studio, on June 4, 2012, after it was previewed one day before. It was shot by Iulian Moga in April 2012 at the MediaPro Pictures studios in Buftea, Romania. The clip commences with Stan entering a kitchen wearing a red-white stripped dress. Subsequently, she is portrayed cutting lemons and making lemonade, following which she makes a phone call and walks down the street sporting a lemon-printed yellow dress and smiling into the camera. Next, Stan is seen singing in front of a red car, flirting with a man, which is followed by the appearance of two police men. They enter a store and the singer is presented selling lemons in the street. Afterwards, the video switches from color to sepia, as she is present at a block party; it closes with Stan posing in front of a backdrop designed with different types of shoes.

Kevin Apaza from Direct Lyrics praised the clip, naming it one of her best works yet. He went on into calling the video "cute" and comparing one of Stan's outfits to gipsy culture. Urban.ro was positive towards the music video, stating that it "illustrates the single beautifully" and that they like "the colors, the styling, all". Los 40 Principales cited the clip in their list of Stan's best videos.

Tracklistings
Digital download
 * 1) "Lemonade"– 3:30

Digital remixes EP
 * 1) "Lemonade" (Da Brozz Remix) – 5:05
 * 2) "Lemonade" (Fedo Mora and Oki Doro Remix) – 4:56
 * 3) "Lemonade" (Rudeejay Remix) – 5:50
 * 4) "Lemonade" (Rudeejay Radio Edit) – 3:03
 * 5) "Lemonade" (Topakabana Remix) – 4:20
 * 6) "Lemonade" (Karmin Shiff and Marco Zardi Remix) – 4:46