Echo; Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis is no doubt the most well known and publicized winner of the British X Factor. Being crowned in 2006 and releasing her debut album, Spirit next year. She practically rocketed into fame, largely due to the world wide chart topper Bleeding Love.

With all that to her name, a sophomore album was a for sure sign. And that's what the world got on November 17th, '09. Under the name Echo, Lewis once again proved why she deserved winning X Factor. One of the great moves she made this time round was to keep the album more her age. Last time there were a number of tracks which Whitney Houston could have sung during her prime years. But what Lewis served this time round are signature hers and no one else can do them like her.

With writing credits to her name this time, it was a clear sign that this album would be great. Other people collaborating their writing skills are Justin Timberlake, Ryan Tedder, Max Martin, Jess Cates and Kevin Rudolf. The production line up were pretty impressive as well. I really have high hopes that this album will grab a few accolades for the nomination it gets in next year's Grammys.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Happy
2. I Got You
3. Can't Breathe
4. Brave
5. Outta My Head
6. My Hands
7. Love Letter
8. Broken
9. Naked
10. Stop Crying Your Heart Out
11. Don't Let Me Down
12. Alive
13. Lost then Found ft. One Republic
14. Stone Hearts & Hand Grenades (Bonus Track)
    
15. You Don't Care (Bonus Track)
16. Fly Here Now (Bonus Track)

Featuring guest vocals on one track and more dance numbers, Lewis has clearly distinguished herself in a completely different league from every other contestant that has ever appeared on X Factor. She is really someone with unimaginable talent and amazing potential.

This is a really strong album over all and there is only one track I can bad mouth about. 'Can't Breath' is the only weak point on the record. Ballads that constantly deal with a low falsetto are not for her. They make her sound boring and it seems that she's trying to hard most of the times. She should be more herself like in the songs 'Brave', 'Happy' and 'Broken'. 'Brave' is a particular stand out. I am completely in love with this song and I'm really hoping that it's chosen sometime in the future as a single.

Europop is an ever going genre and with so many British artists adopting a more bold approach to dance numbers. Tracks like 'Outta Here', 'Love Letter', 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out', 'Naked' and 'You Don't Care' show Leona's untapped potential to expand and grow into this market. 'I Got You' which is chosen as the second single also seems to have a touch of it, but barely. And yes, it is another song that is a clear stand-out.

One bonus track that I would particularly like to mention is 'Stone Hearts & Hand Grenades'. The only word I can use to describe it is profound. This is definitely one of the most personal tracks off the record. Co-penned by Lewis, there is a clear indication that this came from somewhere deep within. I disappointed that this track didn't make the cut. This track has great potential as a single and definitely could have done a much better than the original first single 'Happy'. But hey, who's going to argue with the big shot producers.

Lewis also had for the first time having a guest appearance on her record. 'Lost and Found' features the American Pop Rock culture iconic group, One Republic. This track is rumored to be selected as a single in near future. If so, this track can expose Lewis even more into the US and US influenced markets. And I'm pretty sure this is going to come true sooner or later, Simon Cowell, Lewis's manager is trying hard to break his proteges into the US main stream. And of all, Leona Lewis and SuBo are the only ones that stand a chance.

Earlier in an interview Lewis mentioned that she was planning to work with Chris Martin of Coldplay to help her crack Japan and Timbaland to crack the urban/hip-hop market. I was really interested to see these collabs work out, Martin is a genius and he could really help Lewis gain new heights. Timbaland while maybe a hip hop king, I don't see him churning out stuff that Lewis could sell. But no doubt I would give that a listen. Lewis indicated such might happen on her third album, whenever that comes along.

Do give this record a listen folks. It's one of the best ones that have come last year!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)