Free Me (album)

Free Me is the second studio album by English singer Emma Bunton. It was released on 9 February 2004 by 19 Recordings. Her debut with the label, following her departure from Virgin Records, the album marked a significant musical shift for Bunton, drawing heavily on 1960s influences such as bossa nova, Motown, and French pop. The album was primarily produced by Mike Peden and Yak Bondy, with additional contributions from Cathy Dennis, Henry Binns, and Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi.

The album received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its polished production, 1960s-inspired retro influences, and Bunton's sweet, nuanced vocals, though some noted it was pleasant but not groundbreaking. It performed strongly in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 7 on the UK Albums Chart and number 9 on the Scottish Albums Chart, earning a Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), although if failed to chart or sell noticeably elsewhere.

Free Me produced four singles, including the title track, "Maybe", and "I'll Be There", all of which reached the top ten in the United Kingdom. Serving as the album's international lead single, "Maybe," also charted within the top 20 in Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands. In further support of the album, Bunton embarked on the Free Me Tour from May to September 2004. She continued to draw on the album's 1960s pop influences on her next release, Life in Mono, in December 2006.