Will has received some AMAZING Blog Reviews especially from the States. Please post any you find here & I'll pin the thread.

 

Nice one from America to start us off.

 

ModMusic: Will Young

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb152/gillwill_photos/LetitGo-1.jpg

 

 

Technically it's cheating for a Stateside blog to review Will Young's latest disc, Let It Go; the album hasn't been released yet in the U.S., and maybe never be. That's our loss, because Young -- the openly gay winner of the first season of Pop Idol, and the only truly significant artist to emerge from the Idol reality chain besides Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry -- has become one damn fine vocalist over the years. With a sweet high tenor which fits airily on top of pop songs like a cherry on a sundae, Young has improved his songwriting and style to a point where he'll probably have a long and prosperous career, America be damned.

 

It's not too far out to guess that Young's inability to gain a foothold here is due to his sexuality; the same problem affects most gay acts these days, including fellow European hitmakers Scissor Sisters and Sam Sparro. There's also a gentility to Young's best work -- a fragile tremble in the vocals ("Tell Me The Worst") or a plaintive approach to arrangements ("If Love Equals Nothing") -- that doesn't fit well with the strip-club mentality of most contemporary pop music.

 

But what Young does have, in spades, is an uncanny sense of his own personal music, and where he fits in the pop pantheon. Listening to the tightly-produced Let It Go, I was struck by the piano-banging "I Won't Give Up," which could have been a hit in the days when Billy Joel and George Michael ruled the charts; the urgent bass line of "Love," which sounds like a lost Michael Jackson album track from Off The Wall; and the jazzy smudges of "Are You Happy," unquestionably my favorite selection, which literally had my feet tapping on a first listen. There's a serious artist buried under the pop veneer of Will Young, and Let It Go gives us an inkling of the treasures he'll unearth in the years to come.

Edited October 17, 200816 yr by truly talented

Great idea TT

Just a little one thanks to Bumbling on D- sorry no link:

 

LET IT GO—WILL YOUNG [sONG BMG]In my humble opinion (like another matters?), Will Young is the most successful Idol to have been birthed from the international singing show competition. Kelly comes close, but struggled with her last album, whereas gay Willy has constructed a more low-key, wider-reaching fan base with longer lasting quality.

Let it go is his fourth studio album and shows a gentle progression in his career as his voice develops in tune with his personal stylings. Will is a master of the powerful pop ballad, blues infused, cool incarnate. His concern is not pushing boundaries or reinventing the modern pop sound. His limits are clear and Will excels at delicious summery sounds for sipping iced cocktails. Join the brotherhood. 3.5

 

 

And a little one of the single Changes:

 

Will Young - "Changes"

Here's another cutie pie, of the British persuasion. This is a really nice, introspective song, and he sure does have a terrific voice. He puts all of these supposedly "soulful" white boy American singers like Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke to shame! The video is a bit odd, but pretty cool. 9 pink flowers out of ten.

 

http://virginiamaeblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...ce-britney.html

 

And I think this one from Gregg on RadioIO should be here too - he's doing so much to help promote Will in the US:

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

By Gregg Parish

 

Will Young

Let It Go

19 Recordings/RCA

 

Will Young’s New Album: You Won’t Want To “Let It Go”

 

29-year-old, Will Young, best known as the first winner of the Pop Idol franchise in the United Kingdom (which eventually spawned the popular American Idol here in the US), has finally released his first album in a little less than 3 years. Entitled “Let It Go,” the collection of new tracks is only preceded by its first single, “Changes,” which is already enjoying massive success in Will’s native country.

 

So many things have worked together here to comprise this young man’s style. His experiences in helping others, as well as being honest about who he is, intertwines into the character and ambience of his music showing true passion and bursts of eclectic energy. The lad himself exhibits an amazing sense of humor and uses this to his advantage in making his live performances something that mustn’t be missed.

 

With the anticipation of this release in the works for months now, there’s nothing here to disappoint. Mr. Young is well known for his ballads and mid-tempo crooning stylistics, and this album, as a whole, does not disappoint. In fact, “Let It Go” is the one that could help garner new listeners from around the world due to the diversity of music included and the passion for which it stands. There are a few choice tracks here that are sure to tickle anyone’s fancy, including the US, if you are out there listening.

 

First off, the songs that got me moving were “Changes,” “Grace” and “Are You Happy.” “Changes” is a radio-friendly pop song worthy of all the hype it’s been obtaining in the UK. It’s playful and catchy with an amazing hook that keeps Will’s music relevant with anything being played on the radio today. Another great track from the album that maintains a consistent formula with ‘Changes” is “Are You Happy.” This track bubbles with a whiteboy, soulful persona that has always been considered Will’s signature sound. While Will’s “Grace” is a bit more downtempo, his voice exudes a sultry meandering around a chorus that keeps a smooth consistency throughout. This is a track that is easily destined for international success and has also been deemed as the next single to be released around Christmas.

 

If you are in the mood for more of the pop tunes, listen out for “I Won’t Give Up” and “Simple Philosophy.” Yet, even more interesting, are the tracks that seem to have been inspired by the original Rat Pack formula but still manage to maintain the pop edge of today like “Won’t Look Down” and “Love”. (It’s obvious to me that his music is often stirred by many great legends of the past like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra.) It’s even harder to imagine how any artist could pull this off; but Will Young does.

 

Don’t forget about the downtempo ballads, though. These are the tracks that showcase this young man’s vocal range with an eclectic soulfulness you just don’t hear anywhere else: the epitome of what Will Young is all about. Soulful tracks like “Disconnected,” “If Love Equals Nothing” “Tell Me The Worst” and “You Don’t Know” merge well with the big band pop and the retro/contemporary sound of this album. If you’re looking for something to play at any event, like a dinner party or an elegant gathering, this is the one.

 

But perhaps one of the biggest missteps of the record company was allowing a track called “This Is Who I Am” to be a UK-only bonus track if you buy the album from iTunes. First off, it’s crazy that US listeners cannot purchase anything from iTunes outside of the US, but to have this track as an album-only exclusive, is ridiculous. This is the most radio-friendly, piece of pure pop bliss on the album. Referred to as Will’s “James Bond theme,” this song packs a 1-2 punch and makes you realize that Mr. Young has a secret weapon in his repertoire: an edge. Whatever it takes, definitely get your hands on this one.

 

Overall, “Let It Go” is not one you want to “let go.” This album is not only a chic, refined and sophisticated collection with a contemporary, modern flair, but can tame the most voracious of fickle pop pallets. While many of the winners of televised TV competitions come and go so quickly, it’s obvious Will Young will be around as long as he decides and, more importantly, consistently keeps his fans ravenous for his music. This one’s a keeper!

 

http://www.radioio.com/archive/2008/10/3

 

 

Edited October 17, 200816 yr by munchkin

Thank TT and thanks muchkin for your additions as well, what fantastic reviews and all without a hint

of sarcasm. :D

Review of the title track Let it Go from an American Blog.

 

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Grips so tight it shatters

I haven't really been bowled over by any new music for quite a while. Not sure what that's all about, although I have been a bit off my game for a week or so now. But then a new Will Young song landed in my inbox last night. And it is fantastic. It is in the running for XO's song of the year. Paul has a lot to say about it, as well as a lot about Will Young in general. It is assured a spot on my 80 minutes year-end list.

 

Every now and again, a song falls into your life at just the right time speaking to just the right circumstance, and "Let It Go", like Darren Hayes' "Hero", is one of those songs. One of the things I struggle with most is, well, letting things go. I can intellectually rationalize to myself that there is nothing I can do about this, that or the other thing and that I need to just release it. So I do. And then I run over and pick it back up again and hold tighter than I previously did. At least that has been my history.

 

So for a lot of reasons, I'm incredibly cognizant of patterns like that right now. Today at work, when the day seemed to overtake me and I was trying to save the world, I went to the library and sat with my iPod for 15 minutes at lunch and listened to this song over and over again. Suddenly, it was as if I were a teenager again rewinding the tape to hear the same part of the song ad infinitum. The sentiment was just right there.

 

Let it go, let it go, 'cause it's out of my control...

Grips so tight it shatters, only thing that matters...

Heaven knows just what I'm stressing for

Let it go, let it go.

 

Easy to say, quite another to do. I'm fond of saying that if a pop song doesn't know how you feel, there's really no point to it. And even though, yes, those are cliched lyrics, well it certainly doesn't make them any less true. Although his use of the word "stressing" bothers me a bit, but only because it reminds me of a college friend who used that word obsessively when describing his exam preparation.

 

The best music takes you back and moves you forward. "Let It Go" accomplishes all this in a mere 3:40.

 

http://dancsblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/grip...t-shatters.html

Yet another brilliant review from the US.

 

Pop music is rocking my world big-time at the moment. There really is a lot of good, innovative, groovy music out at the moment that it’s hard to pick standouts. But I’ma try, a’ight?

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb152/gillwill_photos/LetitGo-1.jpg

 

 

- Will Young, “Let It Go” (CD) - In contention for album of the year, I can’t get enough of this. I don’t remember the last time I had a CD where four songs on the record were five stars, but this is the one. “Changes” is just a lush, classy track, “Let It Go” does a great job to capture that melancholy that some men feel from time to time, and “Won’t Look Down” has that soaring pop chorus with an optimistic tone that you can’t resist, even if you try. My highlight, though, is “Love”. For those of you who remember back to the golden age of sophisticated Brit pop in the late 80s, you’ll remember a group called Swing Out Sister. “Love” hits all the right notes in tribute to SOS, and it was so unexpected, that I can just listen to it over and over. Can someone see what they can do about giving Swing Out Sister another chance here in the US? They’re still together, and they’re big in Japan. Literally.

__________________

Thanks to Bumbling. Haven't posted a link as it doesn't seem to work.

Thanks for all the reviews

 

LIG deserves all the praise that as been given it :wub:

Thanks for the latest 2 American blog reviews TT, They're really loving the album aren't they?

Thanks for all the reviews

 

LIG deserves all the praise that as been given it :wub:

 

 

I certainly think so sunday. :dance: It's the only album so far where I haven't missed a song. :cheer:

I don't think this has been posted over here. A fantastic blog review from a chap in the US . I think we have seen him before but this is a man in love :wub:

 

I want to start off by saying how it’s a damn shame that this amazing (A-M-A-Z-I-N-G) album will probably never be released here in the US, and as such, Will Young fans will be forced to shell out import prices to gain access to this amazing record. Additionally, it is a shame, because people that are not Will Young fans that would otherwise love his music will probably not be exposed to him, because of said release restrictions. Now that I got that off my chest, I want to talk about my favorite pop album of the year, Will Young’s amazing Let It Go.I first became a fan of Will when I heard the amazing song All Time Love (which is still amongst my favorite songs ever), from his previous release, Keep On. I ordered Keep On immediately, and never looked back; the brand of jazz infused, perfect pop that Will Young compliments with is gorgeous vocals fills the album, and makes for a truly amazing pop record. After falling so hard for Will with Keep On, I wanted more, and even though Keep On was his third album, his previous two efforts were bogged down by what one can only assume was a result of his contractual obligations from winning the first UK Pop Idol. While there are more than a few great tracks amongst them, the albums just don’t contain the confidence and sexy swagger that Will truly exemplifies on Keep On, and as such, I was anxious for something new (those albums are a little cover-heavy too). Well, given the fact that Keep On was released WAAAAY back in 2005, I was more than elated to hear earlier this year that Mr. Young would be releasing a new album in the fall. After hearing the lead single, Changes, I knew that the energy, power, and professionalism that Will had put into Keep On would be “keeping on” with his new album; Changes is a brilliant song.

 

Well, it wasn’t long before track after track was available for listen on the internet, and I instantly realized that I was sitting in front of one of the best albums of the year. There isn’t a dull moment on Let It Go; Will Young has made an album filled with heartfelt anthems of love and loss, all with his trademark sweet vocals and jazz influenced pop rock. The tenderness in his lyrics highlights Will’s brilliant song writing capability, and his choice of producer to bring the songs to life shows consistent brilliance. I can say without a glimmer of doubt, that there isn’t a song on this album that I don’t love; it is a perfect pop album. Will Young has gone from someone that I was meagerly interested in to one of my favorite artists that I will now follow with unfettered attention; as he grows, he has proven that his music will continue to grow with him, and if his last two albums are any indication, this is one of pop music’s new people to watch out for. Will seriously has the ability and skill to place himself amongst his older peers, like George Michael, if he keeps this game going as well as he has to date.

 

Impressive as it is, I am still disappointed that this album will probably never see an American release. It is sad that pop music that is this brilliant is being produced across the pond, and we are forced to take to the internet to find out about it; especially considering the utter $h!t that is forced down our throats by American radio each day. I would gladly give up most of the c**p out there for a few more minutes with Mr. Young, who confidently sings song after song, bringing the sexiness and swagger of a seasoned professional through in each track. Since I cannot do anything about his album being released here in the States, I will do what I CAN do; I will shout about the brilliance of Let It Gofrom the rooftops, and continue to tell anyone that will listen how completely amazing, beautiful, well produced, and down right fantastic Will Young, and this his fourth album, is. The only reason that this isn’t my album of the year, is because the one that edged it out holds a little more of my love; for me, this album is truly perfect in every way, and I am pleased that Will is continuing to make music that is both this impressive, and has this level of consistent quality. I will conclude by saying how refreshing I find it that Will is also an out musician, and he doesn’t sugar coat it; these love songs are definitely about a man, and are sung to him. I love that he wears his heart on his sleeve, and that you know it has the potential to belong to an actual partner; rather than a fictitious character created to hide his orientation. It is all of these reasons together that make me swoon heavy for Will Young, and with Let It Gohe has only made it incredibly harder to resist him!

 

http://duanecmoody.livejournal.com/280888.html

 

Will has so got to get over there with this album - we've been reading quite a few good reviews from the US.

 

Sandra on Devoted has posted this:

 

One US blogger once mentioned the adult contemporary market for Will over in the States.

 

I thin k it's possible he will be launched into this type of market rather than on a wide scale like Leona & co. Probably it would suit Will better too, giving him space for his other interests like acting. He mentioned doing some small live gigs over there didn't he? It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out this year for him

 

I agree - promoted in the right way I feel sure he'll find his niche.

Thanks munchkin, what a fantastic review.

He's got it bad. :wub:

 

Thanks munchkin.

He's getting some great reviews for LIG statside isn't he?...and without any promo...in the back door William :dance: the best thing is their beginning to want him..and if he goes with that wanting it gives him that little bit more power..and he'd want that over there i think.. :D