August 18, 201113 yr Taanks Sunday..i didn't know that either. WOW! this is a fantastic review! love the last bit best of all!! One of the earliest and smartest of pop idols, Will Young is releasing his fifth album (excluding 2009's The Hits) to coincide with the 10th anniversary of his original TV show victory. Now in his early 30s, this release – like his career to date – offers a routemap for the elegant evolution from the most throwaway of initial successes to something much more enduring. What is immediately striking is the apparently intensely personal nature of much of the material. Delivered in Young's tuneful yet frequently vulnerable vocal – all fragility and contrasting strength – songs like Come On ("There's a little bit of me that will always be with you"), Silent Valentine and Personal Thunder are delivered like he genuinely means them: a welcome and relatively rare quality in the modern pop song. Witness the lovelorn admission that "There's a bit of me that will always be with you" on Come On; or the shamefaced "I don't want to ask too much of you / I'll just get drunk and let you down" from Lie Next To Me; or most of all the melancholy, confessional Outsider. Young's playful, saucy side does emerge occasionally: most resolutely on I Just Want A Lover – a funky paean to the straightforward, no-strings-attached shag. Even here, though, his vulnerability refuses to be totally buried. For all the pleas for "nothing that is complicated ... I don't want to know you", there is still the admission that this is escapism to "ease my broken heart". The track, at times recalling Imagination's Body Talk ("Let me hear your body talking") is one of the album's strongest. Also great are the first track – also the first single – Jealousy (a great pop song, with its combined hint of both melancholy and imminent seduction, to an underplayed disco soundtrack), Outsider and Silent Valentine. This latter is probably the album's finest moment: a beautiful torch song, beautifully delivered, to a secret, lost, object of desire. When he swoons "You'll always be my silent valentine" and admits that "It's been three years or maybe more / Feels like a day / Still you make my heart ache" the listener swoons and aches right alongside him. Interestingly, and presumably quite deliberately, the album is pitched on a fault-line between slow balladry and out-and-out "dance music". Nods to disco and funk are discernable in Jealousy, I Just Want a Lover and the S.A.W.-slash-Hi-N.R.G. Good Things, but a kind of sedate, almost dignified, certainly mature feel always wins out. This is an album as unafraid of pianos (Runaway, Outsider, Silent Valentine, Hearts on Fire, Good Things) or strings (Jealousy, Come On) as it is of wearing its wounded heart on its sleeve. Not simply a fitting commemoration of Young's longevity then, but this release is also a clear illustration of why he has succeeded in transcending his origins. Now arguably one of the UK's most authentic, honest and engaging stars, he is perhaps the first TV show alumnus to attain true "idol" status. http://www.musicomh.com/albums/will-young-5_0811.htm
August 18, 201113 yr Thanks Bev. You just beat me to it. :P WOW even more high praise. :yahoo: Found myself grinning earlier when my daughter's 23year old boyfriend told me he read lots of Will's reviews & they had al been excellent. :D
August 18, 201113 yr You can't help grinning when People mention Will is a positive light can you Chris? :dance: I think this streaming now and all next year is going to be all about Global Will! Music Blog in the US! This is required listening: You can now stream ten tracks from Will Young‘s fifth studio album, Echoes, at his Facebook until Sunday. I’ve just listened all the way through once and I’m already obsessed. Gorgeous disco beats, lush electronica…I can easily deem this a favorite of the year. Full album review to come upon release… Echoes will be released on August 22 in the UK. (iTunes UK) http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?h...olorscheme=dark
August 18, 201113 yr maybe this album is all about getting himself heard rather than salesI said the same thing over on Baby D Phil. He's had a reputation for being the housewives' choice and a crooner . I reckon this might just dispel that perception :lol: I've listened to them all and I'm absolutely loving it. I had no fears about this album but it's even better than I could have hoped for. :yahoo: :wub: I think people will still buy it and they must have an idea about pre-sales etc. The promo this time round has had to be completely different - there's a lot of competiton out there - he's not had new stuff for three years and has had to make an impact. I think he may just have done that. :P Not simply a fitting commemoration of Young's longevity then, but this release is also a clear illustration of why he has succeeded in transcending his origins. Now arguably one of the UK's most authentic, honest and engaging stars, he is perhaps the first TV show alumnus to attain true "idol" status. Absolutely - thanks Bev - great review. . Editing to add..... AshleighBaines Ashleigh Baines 'Echoes' by @will_young31 is brilliant. I just need some money on iTunes in time for Monday… told ya :P Edited August 18, 201113 yr by munchkin
August 18, 201113 yr Yes i agree too...it's all so clever! this is about Presenting Will on the worldwide stage, Great marketing idea and everyone seems hooked. Some fab tweets to read..so much interest from Abroad :dance: ..i keep using the google translator! :P
August 18, 201113 yr Brilliant reviews! Just keep on coming don't they?! So is no-one here listening to the streaming then? :whistle:
August 18, 201113 yr Brilliant reviews! Just keep on coming don't they?! So is no-one here listening to the streaming then? :whistle: only the first three..... so far!
August 18, 201113 yr I've only listend the the first three Ros. :P Lots of plays in this US site for each track..favs sem to be Runaway and I Just Want A Lover so far! poplabyrinthPop Labyrinth 10 tracks from @will_young31's new album "Echoes" are now available for streaming here. http://t.co/cwmTI0k & http://t.co/sVtp2IL Also on Twitter people seem to be loving different tracks...this guy has a suggestion for Will :lol: nickabbottnickabbott @will_young31 You need to do a poll on FB for the next single… soooo many to choose from! I am voting "Runaway"with some killer club mixes! Edited August 18, 201113 yr by Sweetwilliamfan
August 18, 201113 yr :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: O.M.G. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Losing myself.
August 18, 201113 yr Saving yourselves - very strongminded! Well, I honestly can't say which is my favourite. :cheer: :D :dance:
August 18, 201113 yr Not strong minded Ros..i'm not on Facebook so can't open any more! :cry: Must admit I just joined for my Will activities. Needs must! :w00t:
August 18, 201113 yr Must admit I just joined for my Will activities. Needs must! :w00t: Still resisting but if my cd doesn't arrive on Saturday then I'll cave in. :P
August 18, 201113 yr Spanish Music Blog..five stars!!! LOVE the last sentence! Ultimate Music Countdown to Will Young's "Echoes" (Leaks 11/14) British singer-songwriter and actor Will Young is currently promoting his upcoming fifth studio album "Echoes" to be released next August 22 First official single "Jealousy" to be released only one day before the album on August 21 Today Sony Music unveils gradually the songs on his official Facebook page The album is just pure easylistening pop perfection produced entirely by Richard X. Melodies with electronic soft touch and his distinctive voice makes "Echoes" one of the great pop albums of this century http://josepvinaixa.blogspot.com/2011/08/c...hoes-leaks.html Edited August 18, 201113 yr by Sweetwilliamfan
August 18, 201113 yr :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: O.M.G. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Losing myself. PMSL dee its hit you at last :cheer: :cheer: :w00t: :yahoo:
August 18, 201113 yr Spanish Music Blog..five stars!!! LOVE the last sentence! http://josepvinaixa.blogspot.com/2011/08/c...hoes-leaks.html Thanks Bev. The global word is spreading. :cheer:
August 18, 201113 yr Taanks Sunday..i didn't know that either. WOW! this is a fantastic review! love the last bit best of all!! http://www.musicomh.com/albums/will-young-5_0811.htm OMG that review is totally totally stunning, loved reading that :wub: :yahoo: :cheer: :w00t: cant contain myself much longer, totally ecstatic for Will, i do hope someone is vetting the reviews and giving them to him to read. adding as i read... This is required listening: You can now stream ten tracks from Will Young‘s fifth studio album, Echoes, at his Facebook until Sunday. I’ve just listened all the way through once and I’m already obsessed. Gorgeous disco beats, lush electronica…I can easily deem this a favorite of the year. Full album review to come upon release… Echoes will be released on August 22 in the UK. (iTunes UK) weve never had it so good all these brilliant reviews 'munchkin' date='Aug 18 2011, 08:33 PM' post='3700345']I said the same thing over on Baby D Phil. He's had a reputation for being the housewives' choice and a crooner . I reckon this might just dispel that perception :lol: I've listened to them all and I'm absolutely loving it. I had no fears about this album but it's even better than I could have hoped for. :yahoo: :wub: I agree Chris he does need to shake those tags off. i hate it when they say that, think they base that on his singles without giving his album tracks a chance. IMO he could have chosen some of his singles better IMO he had better tracks on the album. Ive only heard 4 tracks one of them being Jealousy, i love them all, but am stoping now so to enjoy the rest of the album in all its glory :w00t: I think i was a bit worried about the album before i heard some of the tracks, then my worries just melted away. :dance: yes it is def much much more than i had hoped too, i did always think that Will was never happy on his little hill and did think when he was ready and at a place he was most comfortable in, he would go global just so excited now its apparent that they will ask Will to go across the pond and not him having to go over there to promote initially :cheer: so happy with that :cheer: :cheer: Edited August 18, 201113 yr by phil3579
August 18, 201113 yr This is more of an interview but as it mentions the album too i'll put it here Why Will Young's desperate to be a Number One dad Will Young is in the mood for change. Young, who became a star after beating Gareth Gates to win the first Pop Idol, has a new album, Echoes, out on Monday. But it’s not what you’d expect. No big ballads, no glossy pop. Instead, he’s gone for intimate, atmospheric electronics on an ambitious yet classy set of songs, opted to sing in a higher register than we’re used to and employed a tough new producer, Richard X. ‘The album was not easy to make,’ he tells me. ‘The first three days were terrible, and every song felt as if we were pulling teeth. ‘At one stage, I told a friend I couldn’t go on. But he reminded me that I just wanted a producer to flatter me by telling me that I was the male Nina Simone. I didn’t realise I had such an ego. After that, I knuckled down.’ Well-mannered and acutely self-aware (he once described himself as ‘a gay, middle-class pop star with a politics degree’), things are changing in other ways, too. Having lived near Holland Park, West London, for seven years, Young, 32, is moving to the city’s East End next week. And, he says, he is entering ‘a new phase’ of his life. Born in Hungerford, Berkshire, where his parents still run a local pub, Young went to Wellington College and the University Of Exeter before turning to music. He announced he was gay shortly after winning Pop Idol and, while currently single, has hinted at romantic turmoil in the past, with 2008’s Let It Go album written in the aftermath of a two-year relationship with a dancer. ‘I’m ready for a new relationship, but it will happen when the time is right,’ he says, before adding he would love to become a father at some point I’m very broody and I really want kids, but I don’t think it will happen until I’m into my 40s and in a long-term relationship. ‘This job can make you very self-absorbed and I’d love to do something less selfish. I like the idea of doing the school run and then going home to write a song.’ Next Saturday he’ll be coming full circle, returning to our TV screens to look back on a decade of music making. A Night With Will Young will see the singer accompanied by a London gospel choir and a troupe of arty puppeteers. ‘This show makes me realise how far I’ve come,’ Will says. ‘Ten years ago, it was all about a talent competition. Now it’s me singing songs with real pedigree in a very theatrical setting. Everything has fallen into place. ‘I now feel accepted in a way I’d never have thought possible ten years ago.’ The album Echoes, and single Jealousy, are out on Monday. A Night With Will Young is on ITV1 on August 27. Will Young’s UK tour starts at the Oasis, Swindon, on October 27. He performs at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park on September 11. Ticket info at bbc.co.uk/radio2. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/artic...d.html?ITO=1490 Edited August 18, 201113 yr by Sweetwilliamfan
August 18, 201113 yr US Music Site Pop Labyrinth have tweeted poplabyrinthPop Labyrinth Can't stop playing the Will Young streams. Surely "Come On" must be the next single? Favs so far: Runaway, Lie Next To Me, Silent Valentine. The word is spreading!!!! :dance: Edited August 18, 201113 yr by Sweetwilliamfan
August 18, 201113 yr Just read this on Popjustice In answer to does Echoes go on sale on Irish Itunes at midnight. It's also going on sale on Belgian iTunes in 35 minutes, yay! Wonder if it's being released on any other itunes?
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