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Rebecca Ferguson - Heaven

Rebecca Ferguson, Heaven

Review by Jack Foley

IndieLondon Rating: 3.5 out of 5

REBECCA Ferguson is being hailed as quite possibly the best thing to have emerged from the new reality TV trend for discovering pop stars. On the evidence of debut album Heaven such comments are not misplaced.

Co-written by Ferguson with Eg White, her regular collaborator, the album offers 10 original songs that showcase a potent voice, honest lyricism and a wealth of styles that bear comparison with everyone from Adele to Duffy at times.

Ferguson’s style is versatile, too, flitting from balladry to pop with dollops of soul thrown in. There’s nothing particularly ground-breaking but it’s done with such an assuredness that you can’t help but be entertained.

Former single Nothing’s Real But Love sets things in motion in familiar fashion, setting Ferguson’s distinct vocals against a subtle acoustic strum and some gospel backing.

But evidence of the diversity becomes apparent on Glitter & Gold, which invests proceedings with an earthy slice of R’n’B, picking up the pace and drawing on elements of Adele and even Back to Black era Amy Winehouse.

The ability to deliver an emotionally-charged ballad is present and correct on Shoulder to Shoulder, a song that refuses to pander to Gary Barlow sentimentality while retaining a heartfelt wallop, while Fairytale (Let Me Live Life This Way) quickly swaps brooding and insecurity for positivity with a defiant slice of retro-tinged soul-pop that’s designed to reflect the success in her life.

Personal favourite Mr Bright Eyes then waltzes into your affections with another retro-laced slice of pop that recalls Dusty Springfield and Duffy… it’s a real charmer.

Elsewhere, Fighting Suspicions lulls you into thinking it’s another ballad moment, before dropping a hefty trip-hop beat and coming over all sassy, while Teach Me How To Be Loved unfolds amid a lush piano backdrop to deliver another assured ballad.

Admittedly, with tracks like Run Free and Diamond To Stone, Ferguson seems to be leaning a little too hard on the classics (emulating the styles of Aretha or, more contemporarily, Beverley Knight) but she’s done enough work in the early half of the LP to warrant the critical praise that’s been ringing in her ears. And that’s not bad for an X-Factor associated singer (she was 2010’s runner-up)… the future looks extremely bright for her.

Download picks: Glitter & Gold, Shoulder to Shoulder, Fairytale, Mr Bright Eyes

Track listing:

  1. Nothing’s Real But Love
  2. Glitter & Gold
  3. Shoulder to Shoulder
  4. Fairytale (Let Me Live My Life This Way)
  5. Mr Bright Eyes
  6. Fighting Suspicions
  7. Teach Me How To Be Loved
  8. Run Free
  9. Diamond to Stone
  10. Too Good To Lose