AAC

WOW. Here's to hoping it's released before February in the U.S. Seriously, J Records are known for the length of time they take for single releases. The second single should've been sent to radio by now, as "Happy" has created little buzz which will most definitely affect her first week album sales. Anyway, it's definitely not my favourite song on the record, but it's the most sensible choice as the next single. She needs to prove she can release an uptempo that's actually strong. It fits into the recent mould of hit songs, so it should be successful. I'm not sure if it'll be her next #1, but who knows.

It's being used on the advertisement for the movie "Precious". It's losing spins quite rapidly at radio, so it's the only reason behind it's recent surge.

I don't think it's a "flop" as such, but as a huge fan of Leona I expect much more coming from a lead single. I think it's safe to say that it's going to end up being a flop in the U.S., however.

1. "Happy" - Would've chosen "Can't Breathe" as the lead single though. 2. "Outta My Head" - It's not my favourite song on the album, but it's a necessity for Leona to release an uptempo. It's probably the song that will save her career in the U.S. (and even then, I don't think it's going to smash like "Bleeding Love") 3. "I Got You" - Great melody, but won't be successful unless it follows a hit. 4. "Broken" - Beautiful vocal, mature and breathtaking climax. 5. "Can't Breathe" - Her voice is so angelic over the backing track. This is great, and I'd like it to be released earlier, so I'm not sure if I'd swap this with #3 as it's my favourite track on this record.

Well, "Broken" has an amazing vocal and is definitely a stand-out, but I'm not sure it's right for the second single. I'd love for it to be a single at some point as it's a favourite of mine, but they need to get their marketing strategy sorted. She needs to release an uptempo as second single.

Wow, this is easily one of the best songs on "Echo", but I feel like she needs to release "Outta My Head" considering uptempos are the craze at the moment. "Can't Breathe" would've been a much better lead single, as it showcases her voice and has a great hook. Plus, it's R&B influenced, and is somewhat of a different sound for her.

I KNEW there would be a struggle, everyone was acting like she was shoe-in for #1, but I just didn't buy it. Face it people, "Happy" is not a great commercial lead single. I really like the track, but it just doesn't stand out. She may end up with the #1 next week, but realistically, she hasn't shot to the top spot as many predicted - even after her X-Factor performance. I'm still so disappointed this was released as the lead single, whether it ends up at #1 or not. I don't think it will be remembered well at all.

A lot of urban songs don't have typical catchy pop hooks. Both "Wait Your Turn" and "Hard" have a simple, repetitive hook, really to compliment the hard beat (more-so with "Hard"). It's not as appealing to perhaps the casual listener, hence the reason for my inclusion of commercial in my post.

Agreed, it's somewhat of a muscial masterpiece. I'm not sure how much success it would bring if it were released, but I'd say vocally, it's her strongest (or possibly on "Can't Breathe"). For anyone who says she lacks emotion, they need to listen to "Broken". The girl can sanggggg, no matter what anyone says. And I'm loving the album even more. I've deleted "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" so the album flows cohesively on my iPhone, and it's definitely my favourite POP album of the year. I can't get "Naked" out of my head, it's got such a strong hook. I'm feeling a single release at some point...

With regards to "Happy" being released as the lead single, I can see where everyone is coming from by saying it's what X-Factor fans fell in love with, but unfortunately it fails to capture the casual listener the way her previous singles have. I think it's going to be a success here in the UK, but it's clearly showing huge signs of flopping in the U.S. (aside from the iTunes increase due to the "Precious" advertisement). Her first week sales are going to be dire in the U.S., and I know it's not going to be the end of her career as we know it, but this may have killed any further success she's to have stateside. I just feel like she deserves longevity and success on a global scale, and the choices have not been made wisely. Everyone I know (and yes, that's not a strong representation to the general public, LOL) has pretty much agreed in unison that "Happy" is a nice enough song, but just not overly strong to showcase an album.

OK, so I am in love with this record. "Can't Breathe" is the stand-out track for me. Also love "I Got You", "Outta My Head", "My Hands" & "Naked". The rest are good, even "Alive" which seems to be the least favourite. The only track, unfortunately, I hate is "Stop Crying Your Heart Out". I literally listened to it once and I don't think I'll ever bother to again. It's such a Simon Cowell-esque attempt to recreate the magic of "Run" and although her voice is beautiful on the track, the whole arrangement feels utterly false. I don't know, with "Run", it's not something you can rehash. I can't believe I hate a Leona song, but I'm afraid it's true. Other than that, it's one of my favourite records of the year.

I've just started listening to the leak and "Can't Breathe" is already better than the lead single. I love the production, and her vocals are pure fire on "Can't Breathe". I haven't listened to any other tracks yet, but I would've preferred that to be released as the lead over "Happy". I'll give my thoughts on the rest of the album later on.

I quite like the fact she's ditching the commercial pop songs with the big hooks, because she sounding fierce backed by a strong urban beat (i.e. "Hard").

"Hard" w/ Young Jeezy has leaked and MAN is this hot. Great track that's VERY urban. I'm totally digging the sound of this album.

33 32 LEONA LEWIS Happy 1243 1263 -20 -22 Spins -34 Bullet It's been terribly inconsistent, hovering in the 30's for a while now. Things are not looking great, as it's been having a few days where it's lost spins recently. It is odd that her iTunes sales are increasing. I wish I could be more positive, but I'm so upset (for Leona) that "Happy" was chosen as lead, because she really could've been huge stateside. She needed to prove herself with this record, and there's going to be little hype for the album release now (again, this is in the U.S. I'm talking about). Hopefully, the release of "Outta My Head" will rejuvenate interest in her, as she certainly deserves it. You know, I wouldn't actually be surprised if this doesn't go #1 in the UK next week. I know it's pretty much a dead certainty with her X-Factor performance, but if it happens maybe that'll make her label step up (as in "Wow, it's Leona and after an X-Factor performance this should = instant #1, what have we done wrong?").

Sounds OK. It's not got a strong hook, but the verses are tight and shows a different side to her. I rather like the sound of her voice & attitude on this track, as opposed to the actual song itself. I'll agree with everyone in saying it sounds like a leftover from "Back to Basics".

It's been positively received across the internet. The majority of people have connected to this, as opposed to "Doesn't Mean Anything". I think that's because this is just killer and fresh, even though I also love "Doesn't Mean Anything". I don't even think it's much of a grower; as soon as I heard it I knew it was a classic. Even if it's not a smash (which I'm certain it will be, at least in the U.S.), it's easily one of her most beautiful songs. The production is so hot, and the chrous is built so well.

I was really looking forward to hearing "Lost Then Found", but it's a bit of a disappointment. Strike that, it's a major disappointment. OK, so it might be unfinished, and if that's the case, fine. I was just expecting so much more. "Strangers" may not be a better song, but it's backing track is just so beautiful (and fresh, I might add) so it could've easily taken the place of "Lost Then Found". It feels like it was rushed & contrived, as opposed to being well thought out & artistic like "Happy" (which I do like by the way, I just don't think it's lead single material).

Wow, "Carry Out" featuring Justin Timberlake has leaked and it's even more stale than any of the other tracks so far. Seriously, this could've easily been a b-side from his last era.

"Say Something" featuring Drake is out, too. I don't know, I think this album will be underwhelming. I am not digging the production at all, it's sounding very dated. It's disappointing, considering he went hard on "The Blueprint 3", but he needs to evolve.

This is really struggling on U.S. radio. The updates are so inconsistent. I'm still hoping it'll take off eventually, but I'm so worried, especially with the album release looming. First week sales could be really poor at this rate. It's a shame they're not going to rush release the second single, because I don't think "Happy" is going to be a U.S. hit for her. It's such a shame, because with the right material she could be a real force.

Yeah, I'm totally addicted to the track now. It may be premature, but I'd go as far as saying "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" is one of my favourite songs by Alicia. It's definitely an artistic effort, and has a different sound to her usual single releases.

"Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" (produced by Jeff Bhasker) has leaked, and it's epic. As much as I love "Doesn't Mean Anything", this is just perfect. It's not as slow as I thought it was going to be either.

LOL, this is just getting stupid now. How boring.

Leona, no question. While she does lack in charisma, the voice is her saving grace. Her abilities crush the other contenders.