Regular readers know I have shown disdain and been somewhat disparaging about X-Factor and its predecessors and similar “talent” shows. However, there have been a few exceptions that came close to making me rethink those views. But even Harry Styles, who I believe is an incredibly talented artist has moved me to change my mind. He is one of the exceptions produced by the show in my opinion. Have there been others? Will Young is excellent and, Girls Aloud were ok, but the new album by Rebecca Ferguson, who finished second to Matt Cardle on X-Factor in 2010 and pushed One Direction to third place, is bloody good. More of that in a moment. As with all finalists she released a top-ten single, “Nothing’s Real But Love” off the back of the show. She followed that with four UK top-ten albums from 2011 to 2016.
Since then she has suffered terribly thanks to the extreme misogyny that sadly still exists within the music industry. She has used that experience to push for change in the industry and has appeared before a House Of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, whom she told that she was “fleeced” both “financially and morally” by executives and others in positions of power, whose “disgusting” conduct was part of a “rotten” culture. She added, “Unfortunately there is a bullying culture to make artists behave how people want them to, often for others’ commercial gains.” The committee heard that Rebecca was pressured into signing contracts; was denied royalties and medical attention; had personal and professional relationships deliberately wrecked; and was forced to carry on working after collapsing through exhaustion and having a miscarriage. She is one of the driving forces and key voices behind a new body called the Creative Industry Independent Standards Authority (Ciisa), which will investigate complaints in the music, film, theatre, and TV industries. Rebecca has also said “For so long, I harboured those secrets for very powerful men about what they were doing to me, and the truth of what was happening to me is it was a form of abuse. In fact, it wasn’t a form of abuse, it was abuse.” adding “The sad reality is it is an abuse that many creatives – be it models, actors, musicians or singers – go through, and we harbour the secrets“.
Rebecca has written, recorded, and released the new album, ‘Heaven Pt. II’ independently. I exchanged a few comments with Rebecca on Twitter when I saw her announce the album’s release. I said that I have huge respect for what she has done in calling out the misogyny, abuse, and vileness that exists in the music industry, but that I wasn’t a great fan of her music. She suggested that I at least give the album a spin, so I did. If I had listened to it earlier it might have made it into Mayhem’s top 20 albums for 2023. It is an album that exudes emotion, and highlights struggle but has incredible strength and positivity throughout. This suggests to me that Rebecca Ferguson is not just a talented singer-songwriter and performer but also a wonderful human being. Overall the album is a fabulous slice of modern R&B, but it has so many other influences and themes. There is also pop, electronic, and hip-hop among others.
The album kicks off with “Digging For Gold” a song with a message of hope in adversity. The lyrics are inspirational, “I’m just surviving by the skin of my teeth but tomorrow’s just another day” kicks off the chorus. The production on this track is perfect. Next comes “I’m Going To Love You” which wears it’s gospel influences with pride. Rebecca’s voice is deeply soulful here and at times has a feel of one of her heroines, Aretha Franklin. “From Now On” has a guitar sound that made me think of New Order. Lyrically it perhaps deals with some of the things that Rebecca has been through, “I figured I’ll take my chance and choose the life I want“. “Shallow Breathing” is an epic power ballad and it feels like a celebration of being loved. The vocal performance from Rebecca on this song is stupendous, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I even shed a little happy tear. If you like listening to songs with a 100% positive vibe, then play “I Have A Dream” It will lift you, I promise. If the Spice Girls ever decided to reform and record new songs they should definitely cover “Diamonds In Her Shoes”, although they might do the song justice I doubt that they would be able to top Rebecca Ferguson’s supreme performance. The hook and chorus stick with you long after the song has ended and I love the strings. I felt that “Found My Voice” sums up how Ferguson felt when she finally decided to move on up and do things her way. Once again there is a magnificent gospel feel and how can you not love this track. I am not sure how personal “Hollywood” is, but is a cinematic pop-rock tune that would make a great single. “Run Rebecca” is a fun song with some wonderful rap input and feels like Rebecca is showcasing her lack of fear in her life now. The album closes with “You Don’t Have To Leave” and frankly I didn’t want to leave this collection of gorgeous tunes, so I played the album again and again! I don’t know who the musicians who played on the record are but the music throughout is spot on. Ferguson appears to have worked with several co-writers and producers on the album, but for me, that simply enhances her own talent. Give this album a try, you will not regret it! Rebecca says that this will be her last album, I hope that is not true.
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