So So Gay
Since Rebecca Ferguson first shot to prominence on X Factor we have been following her career with a great deal of interest. So we could not have been more pleased to see a new video from such a talented young woman. Compared to her previous works, however, we are treated to a new and more elegant voice, which shys away from the typical vocal acrobatics the singer usually embraces. It’s shamelessly good and we could not help but be impressed.
We always knew that Ferguson had the ability to sing and get the audience on their feet, but here the singer is able to transcend her usual ‘whisky voice’ style and pack in more of a punch. Her performance is like a mix of the dulcet tones of Duffy with the power of Adele, telling us a story of a broken heart in a light hearted and poppy style.
Normally we would be concerned that a deeper embrace of pop wouldn’t do an artist like Ferguson any favours. She managed to win a tremendous following with her existing material, and a sudden shift in tone could alienate new and old fans alike. However, even though it’s different, it still manages to be so unmistakably her. It’s also a wise move to stay away from the vocal tricks which are usually employed in the genre, instead she keeps the performance even and strong. It’s to Miss Ferguson’s credit that she doesn’t need to rely on long, warbling notes or dramatic belts to keep your attention firmly fixed on her.
The accompanying video is an unexpected treasure trove of images, which made it as much a joy to watch as it was to listen. Here we are seeing less of the inexperienced ingenue and more of the elegant diva that is slowly starting to emerge. Once again it’s a ‘no thrills’ sort of affair, which sees the singer decked out in a number of 60s-inspired outfits. This visual complements the song perfectly, giving a real sense of glamour when we see her singing in a packed out club.
There are one or two minor issues that detract from the enjoyment, but thankfully they are fairly innocuous. Firstly, it’s the length. At just over 3 minutes, this is a brief little number – it appears and disappears so quickly that we found ourselves clicking repeat several times. We were also a little concerned that the video isn’t as memorable as the song itself. It’s still good, but we couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps things needed a bit more time and polish to win a perfect score.
Rebecca Ferguson has once again proved that she is no ‘one hit wonder’. She is, and will continue to be, a fabulous star in her own right, and we wait with anticipation to see what heights this lady will climb.
Backtrack is due for general release on 14 October 2012, and will also be included on the deluxe edition re-release of Heaven on 15 October 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuZjwLOY_os
