Rebecca Ferguson may have finished second on the seventh season of The X Factor UK back in 2010, but her debut album, Heaven, is first rate. The Liverpool native released Heaven in the UK in December of 2011 to great commercial and critical success, going platinum in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. Now, in the midst of music’s latest British Invasion, Ferguson is releasing her retro R&B sound on America.
Heaven starts off solidly with the mournfully beautiful single (available for free on Itunes), “Nothing’s Real But Love,” a sentimental commentary on the importance of family. From there the album gains momentum, smoothly transitioning into gospel-backed “Glitter and Gold” in which Ferguson warns of the pitfalls of stardom, singing “All that glitter and all that gold/Won’t buy you happy when you’ve been bought and sold.” Waves of vocals, piano and strings propel “Shoulder to Shoulder,” a bittersweet portrait of dysfunctional yet reassuring love painted by Ferguson’s heartfelt lyrics, “I’m gonna drag you down whilst you drag me down, and I’m gonna shout at you whilst you shout at me, until we realize that real love is free.” The vibe of the album lightens up with a charming Motown groove, “Mr. Bright Eyes,” who Ferguson coquettishly asks, “where you been all my life?” Heaven, crafted by Ferguson and a team of high profile songwriters, is an album without any duds. Instead of the tired and trite pop failures of so many Simon Cowell creations, Ferguson delivers a solid performance with the taste and passion of an old-school soul chanteuse.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Ferguson’s performance is that she does not overindulge in vocal embellishments. Instead of relying on showy runs and unnecessary belting, her husky, captivating voice pours out the honesty and soul of her lyrics, creating an understated and emotionally stunning debut. Ferguson earns each and every one of those often made comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse. With Heaven, Rebecca Ferguson has proven that reality television has the potential to produce not just stars, but authentic artists as well.
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