Following Owl City's 2015 album, Mobile Orchestra, Adam Young announced that he would focus on creating musical scores rather than work on new content for Owl City. Starting in February 2016, Young released a complete album of instrumental "scores" each month until December, totalling 11 such releases. In late November, Young announced a new Owl City Christmas song, "Humbug", which was the first Owl City song to be released independently since 2008. Following "Humbug", Young hinted that he was working on a new album, which was revealed, on October 30, 2017, to be named Cinematic. Unlike the Owl City records released before, Young explained that this album would focus more on his personal life rather than ideas from his imagination, which usually inspired him. The artwork and release date was also revealed, and a few days later, the track listing as well. The album had a total of 18 songs, including three alternate versions of already recorded ones.
Release
Rather than be released all at one time, the music on Cinematic was instead released slowly in 2017 through 2018, via EPs Young called "reels". However, the lead single, "All My Friends", was released ahead of time. Following "All My Friends", Reel 1 debuted on December 1, 2017. Along with the lead single, the EP featured two new tracks, "Fiji Water" and "The 5th of July". The former discussed Young's experience getting a record deal, while the latter his birth. On January 12, 2018, "Lucid Dream", another song from the album, was released as the lead single for Reel 2. On February 2, 2018, Reel 2 was released, one week earlier than expected. Along with "Lucid Dream", it featured "Montana" and "Not All Heroes Wear Capes". The latter was released earlier on Father's Day 2017. The last single from the album, "New York City", was released on March 9, 2018. It was released again on Reel 3 on April 6, 2018. This reel also included two new songs, "Cloud Nine" and "Be Brave". The new songs were about the happiness Young experienced with his girlfriend and the night he first met her. "New York City" was fondly remembering a trip Young took to New York City in high school.
