May 22, 201510 yr http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/will-young-85-proof Will Young - 85% Proof Soulful versatility with the tunes to match... CLASHMUSIC / REVIEWS / 22 · 05 · 2015 It's hard to imagine Will Young was especially thrilled when former label RCA opted to conclude a cash-in compilation of his work to date with an execrable cover of 'The Long And Winding Road' in partnership with Gareth Gates and orchestrated by Simon Cowell in the immediate aftermath of their time on Pop Idol. It's a stage in Young's varied career that he has long since musically surpassed, even if the slight suspicion surrounding talent show acts loiters in the background. The grand chasm in quality between it and the same release's opening track 'Jealousy', from 2011's 'Echoes', served to highlight how far he had come in 10 years. Now safely ensconced with Island Records, Young has seized the initiative and delivered a 10-track set containing some of the most deliciously instinctive and relentlessly endearing pop music you'll hear this year. '85% Proof' contains a northern soul belter, a glorious stadium-sized smash, several sparse piano ballads and a simmering, mid-paced teaser deploying the classic mid-song deceptive pause to majestic effect. All of which is to say that this is just short of a masterclass in delivering a mature pop record, by which only the cold-hearted could remain utterly unmoved. The key to it all is Young's phenomenally expressive voice, which soars all over these songs, centre-stage and utterly commanding at all times. While there are a few forgettable moments – notably 'U Think I'm Sexy', which deploys a looping, distorted horn sample that's almost as disappointing as the spelling of its title, while 'Thank You' feels a bit Robbie-does-Oasis before it goes all overblown backing vocals at the end – the highs are substantial. Lead single 'Love Revolution' you'll already know, its bombastic chorus and delirious bridge built around clapping proving instantly memorable. Add in the shamelessly catchy euphoria of the aptly titled 'Joy', the MGMT synths that elevate 'Blue' to a point of majesty and the elegant, stately polish of 'Gold' and it's hard not to argue that this is his most accomplished record to date. There's plenty of studio polish here and the genres crossed are legion, but that's what we want from our pop stars, isn't it? Big songs, big choruses and melody upon melody seem a realistic expectation. '85% Proof' delivers all of this but, as if to highlight that the key here is one man's distinctive voice ahead of any other parts of the process, there's a simple statement made. The album's finest moment, 'I Don't Need A Lover', concludes proceedings with a minimal backdrop to accompany Young's emotive falsetto built around a piano and some relatively reserved strings. It's quite sincerely breathtaking and a reminder that no matter who the artist or the genre, a well-written song paired with a striking voice is all it takes to capture the listener's ear. No matter where this particular career began, only the most churlish muso might fail to acknowledge the quality of this compact album. Will Young is in fine form and, on this evidence, about 70% great. 7/10 Words: Gareth James Edited May 22, 201510 yr by ros
May 22, 201510 yr London evening standard 2 stars http://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm...t-10269677.html
May 22, 201510 yr Author Thanks Sunday. Surprised to see it so high in Sweden. I didn't expect a good result in Ireland with no promotion. Ros said he'd released in Soth Africa too. Is it on their iTunes?
May 22, 201510 yr Author Looks like the album is being circulated in the US. New York dj Ted Nieves @TedNievesNYC New album from the incredibly talented 1st winner of Pop Idol — listening to Will YoungFormer Texas Music Blogger Jared @JaredBraden Will Young's new album has turned me into a fan. It's so good! Edited May 22, 201510 yr by truly talented
May 23, 201510 yr CD just dropped on the mat. Listening now - will come back later. And there's a lyrics booklet too - great.
May 23, 201510 yr Author Was yours signed mine wasn't Sorry to hear that dazzey. Did you order on the first day? Mine hasn't arrived yet but I can see the post van at the bottom of the road. :dance:
May 23, 201510 yr Was yours signed mine wasn't No - but then I didn't order it straight away and only the first few were to be signed so I wasn't expecting a signed one. Valr over on TD says that she had two booklets in hers and one was signed. Maybe she got yours ;)
May 23, 201510 yr Author Mine's here. :cheer: The artwork is gorgeous. :wub: It seems if you got a signed one. They've enclosed a separate one as well as the one with the cd.
May 23, 201510 yr The signed ones came with an extra booklet because the CD itself was wrapped in cellophane, so they've given us an extra booklet rather than unwrap the CD.
May 23, 201510 yr Mine's here. :cheer: The artwork is gorgeous. :wub: It seems if you got a signed one. They've enclosed a separate one as well as the one with the cd. I was getting a bit downhearted that I hadn't got mine but the postman has just been :cheer: and I've got the extra booklet signed so really happy, gorgeous artwork like you say Gill :wub:
May 23, 201510 yr Only one booklet in mine but it was the first day and said about the signed copies still so surely they should have removed that once the signed ones had gone.
May 23, 201510 yr Author Mixed review from The Telegraph Will Young, 85% Proof, review: 'nice to see him back' Young is beautifully vulnerable on power ballads, but this record could have made more use of the original Pop Idol winner's talent, says Helen Brown 3 out of 5 stars In the four years since the original Pop Idol released his last album (the platinum-selling Echoes), X Factor runner-up Olly Murs has slipped into his shoes as the first chap of family-friendly pop. Young seemed to have moved on: he was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as the Emcee in Cabaret, presented an ITV documentary about Magritte and blogged about politics for the Huffington Post. But now the 37-year-old has bounced back into the game with a new label, new management and feeling like “a new artist”. But the debut single – Love Revolution – is a disappointing reworking of Tomcraft’s 2009 dance anthem Loneliness, as a finger-clickin’ Sixties soul swinger. Will Young: 'I wasn't happy. I was rude to people. I was a baby...' Luckily the rest of the record finds Young on better form. U Think I’m Sexy wears its dance-floor funk more lightly and he is beautifully vulnerable on power ballads Brave Man, Promise Me and Like a River. He can still knock out a lyric with the smooth control and tender craftsmanship of a glass blower, letting notes harden from molten emotion to slivers of fragility. The record could do with more tunes to make use of that talent, but it’s still nice to see him back. Download this Promise Me
May 23, 201510 yr YAH MINE CAME TODAY. SO EXCITED. I have resisted listening to most clips - this is exciting stuff! Cannot wait to play it.
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