Echoes [CD]

Considering the amount of TV talent show contestants ruthlessly chewed up and spat out by the industry within months of their record deal, it's quite a feat that the original Pop Idol, Will Young, is still here, almost ten years after rather awkwardly bopping along to "Blame It on the Boogie" in front of a then-unknown Simon Cowell.
After begrudgingly toeing the party line with his easy listening debut album, Young has effortlessly continued to progress his sound and take more creative control with each release, to the point that it's now quite easy to forget his manufactured beginnings, and his fifth studio album, "Echoes", is no exception.
Inspired by the positive reaction toward his Bronski Beat-esque collaboration with Groove Armada ("History"), Young has recruited one half of the duo, Andy Cato, alongside Pascal Gabriel (Ladyhawke), Kish Mauve (Kylie), and Swedish duo the Sound of Arrows to co-write 13 highly personal tracks that largely eschew his trademark MOR blue-eyed soul in favor of an understated electro sound that perfectly fits his delicate and fragile vocals.
Any fans concerned that he might be jumping on the ubiquitous dance-pop bandwagon should be reassured by the fact that Richard X's sparse and subtle production is certainly more at the chillout end of the Balearic market than the David Guetta-esque floor-filling one, as evident on the lead single, "Jealousy", a brooding tale of unrequited love set against a backdrop of warm gentle synths and electro beats, the atmospheric '80s-tinged "Runaway", and the twinkling falsetto-led melancholy of closing number "Safe from Harm".
Of course, this being a Will Young album, a heartfelt ballad is never more than a few electronic bleeps away, and while the schmaltzy "Lie Next to Me" could have been lifted from a Gareth Gates record, the dramatic Adele-esque piano-led "Outsider" is worthy of sitting alongside "Leave Right Now" and "All Time Love" in his canon of acoustic tearjerkers.
Few would have predicted that the U.K.'s first Pop Idol would still be around a decade later, let alone making music as confident and self-assured as Echoes, which sounds like the album Young was born to make. J. O'Brien

"Echoes", the fifth studio album by Will Young, is released exactly 10 years after his first Pop Idol audition- and it seems a sensible sentiment to release this album at this time because it really shows how Will has grown in the last ten years. This album is a world away from the blinding obvious song choices on his debut album, and the move is definitely a move in the right direction.

The album is a decadent masterpiece. Undoubtedly the best thing he's ever done, the album stands out for its quality and assurance in the mainstream pop market, and is definitely the finest release of this year, and the best yet in Will's career- it's wonderfully written and sculpted, and the album's sound is a juxtaposition of strong and tender sounds with strong and vulnerable vocals. The craftsmanship of this music is second-to-none and the music is unforgettably addictive.

Lyrically, it takes a natural step on from 2008 release "Let It Go" and continues to be personal, emotive and underplayed, but musically it jumps in an entirely different direction. The album is produced by Richard X, although I don't think that really gives anyone an idea of what to expect because it's not how I thought it would sound at all!

`Jealousy' is a very good example of what to expect sound- and theme-wise from this album, and that's probably the best I can do when it comes to describing what this album is like because the whole collection's sound it is so simple and unique that I don't think I could do it justice! It has elements of Everything But The Girl, Hurts, The Honeymoon and The Eurhythmics about it- but I really don't think this really even half describes what you can expect from this collection of songs!

I will however say that it's an emotive and eclectic collection of very personal and very delicate songs, with lots of falsetto and a chilled-out dance sound. The whole affair is very much a tight-body of work, but each track also stands strongly alone- in fact I don't think I'd be overdoing it by stating that each song is like a little musical piece of art! It's carefully played out- there's no overdoing of the vocals on this album, no excessive instrumentation or overdependence on electronics to create an epic, euphoric sound- this is comes naturally to the albums and it's basically as stripped back as an electro-dance album can be and it's magically brilliant.

I love each track across the board, but I will comment on a few particular favourite tracks.

`Silent Valentine' and `Outsider' are two fantastic ballads with an excellent and gentle atmospheric sound, the former having a twinge of an anthemic-ballad about it, whilst `Safe From Harm' is probably the album's most personal and emotive song and is truly delightful. Meanwhile `Losing Myself' and `Come On' are bigger- well, bigger in comparison to the previously mentioned three- with more synths and stronger vocals- the former of these two sounds very 80's influenced and is definitely one of my favourites.

`Hearts on Fire' is actually the album's stand out track, it encrypts all of the album's flavours and sounds and is executed marvellously- it has a delicious guitar riff and wonderful electrobeats, with powerful lyrics and delicate vocals and a wonderful twinge of summer to it.

"Echoes" really is one of the finest albums around. Will has never been better or stronger, and this really demonstrates what a true master of musicianship he really is. The album is as sensual as it is tender and gentile, and is incredibly powerful despite being relaxed and simple, which is what makes this album so magical. Any doubts I had about Will Young being able to pull this off have been completely and utterly erased; I really cannot praise "Echoes" enough and I hugely recommend it without reserve!

FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very different, but brilliant, his voice is exeptional on this album. I love it. Buy it and buy some great headphones at the same time.