When you have the best and fastest selling debut album, the most difficult thing would probably have be replicating that success with the sophomore album. Leona Lewis’ second album does not disappoint in that her music and song choice seems to be much better. Although it largely contains the big (and slow) ballads that we want to hear from her, she also includes some interesting choices, which really adds to the diversity of the album, and showcases the versatility (sort of) of her voice.

The opening track is the first single off “Echo”, “Happy”, which can be quite inspirational if you listen past the gloomy music that supports the lyrics. It seems to have that message that encourages one to do whatever that makes them happy, and not be pulled back or stopped by others, and not really like what was depicted in the music video (watch it below). Seems like a message for her Asian fans… Anyway, I think this song is really nice, although it sounds rather familiar with the Ryan Tedder treatment I guess.

Other notable tracks on the first few listens would include “I Got You”, the electro number “Outta My Head”, “Love Letter”,  the “duet” with One Republic “Lost Then Found”, and the Oasis cover “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”. It seems like Leona’s really good at doing covers (e.g. her take on Snow Patrol’s “Run” was simply amazing; so was Avril Lavigne’s “I Will Be”), after all, she started out doing covers on The X Factor. I think the mark of a great singer is probably also to take someone’s song and make it your own.

On the whole, “Echo” is definitely a great pop album overall, one that is more polished. She could have taken more risks, but i think for the moment the track selection is fine, and her brilliant vocals just shine through each track. What’s more, she looks amazing on the album cover, a very top model picture. I think that she sounds better on the more up-tempo tracks on this album, or it could be just me. Also, do listen out for the hidden track “Stone Hearts and Hand Grenades”. I hope she tours Asia soon!

4 out of 5

Favourite tracks: Happy, I Got You, Outta My Head, Lost Then Found, Love Letter, Broken

I have never really found exams to be intimidating, even though I have not been doing too well after entering university. It just seems that once exams are around the corner, people around you, including your friends start to desert you. The start becoming more studious, and they sort of become another person, and they turn down almost every invitation of going out. And I (or we) understand where they are coming from- I myself accumulated so much work over the semester that it would be best to really turn down invites and things like that, though most of the time I do not. Never in my life have I been so “socially active”. I have never really been a friend type of person, in that most friends were like acquaintances, and I never really bothered about gatherings and outings, until I stepped into university. It was as if another person inside of me got out, and I have not really been able to revert to my old form, the more studious and indifferent person that I was.

Well the exams (and friend-less period) are starting in a few days, and I think I need to reorganise my mind and thoughts for the exams.

Fortunately there is music to keep me alive!

I can’t believe the amount of music to be released over the couple of fews to come:

17/11
Leona Lewis: Echo
Janet Jackson: Number Ones
Kris Allen: Kris Allen
Katy Perry: MTV Unplugged (CD+DVD)
John Mayer: Battle Studies
Norah Jones: The Fall

23/11 :
Beyonce: I Am … Yours. An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas (2CD+ DVD)
Lady Gaga: The Fame Monster
Rihanna: Rated R
Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment

1/12:
Allison Iraheta: Just Like You

15/12:
Alicia Keys: The Element of Freedom

Alright that’s a lot…

Finally some new music from Stefanie Sun, since her recent concert, and her last album which was 2 years ago. “Mu Lan Qing” is the theme song for “Hua Mu Lan”. I think it’s not too bad; listening in context with the movie would probably serve a better review. And she’s definitely become a better singer!

Yanzi seems to have been busy with other stuff in addition to her concert tour. She has designed a collection for The Carnaby London. I have not really heard of the line, though I think I have been to Carnaby Street when I was in London. Anyway, it seems like a great collection (visit www.thecarnaby.com for more information). Just hope that she releases her new album soon!

ELVA has just released her new album, “Diamond Candy”, and here are 3 of the videos from the album:

Enjoy!

So much for Happy… It’s really quite the contrary…

If I had to compare this album (sound-wise) to one of her previous efforts, I would choose “Charmbracelet”. To me, it sort of reminds me of that album, though it’s more like an urban-sounding. It also sounds like more personal than her previous efforts, and it sort of takes time to get used to (at least for me). Anyway, she looks stunning on the cover, and inside there are pictures of her re-creating the pictures of her debut and “Butterfly” albums, which is really nice!

“Obsessed” needs no introduction at this point of time, since it’s already such a huge hit worldwide. To be honest, I really did not like the record at first, but after some time I really got hooked on it. Not to mention her performance on America’s Talent, which was superb! “I Want to Know What Love Is”, the second single, is for me, the most mind-blowing track on the album! She’s created hits with covers of “I’ll Be There”, “Open Arms” and “Without You”, and I think “I Want to Know What Love Is” will go down in history as one of the best covers ever done as well! Great job Mimi!

“H.A.T.E.U.” is also one of my favourites, and on heavy airplay on my own CD player! Let’s continue with my favourites of the album. I am loving the ballads more this time round, and these include “Inseparable”, “Angels Cry”, “Languishing (interlude)”. “Languishing” sort of reminds me of the “Rainbow (Interlude)” she did back in 1999 on the similarly-titled album. And it links seamlessly into the big remake of “I Want to Know What Love Is”. “Angels Cry” sounds to me like a “Bye Bye part 2″. I haven’t read the lyrics but i hope it’s not too far off! Anyway, it’s another classic in the making in my opinion.

Now onto the other songs which I like: “Candy Bling” and “Up Out My Face”. The latter sounds like a fun song, and I think she sang it at the Palm venue. The songs that did not work for me at the moment are “More Than Friends” and “The Impossible”. I just cannot get it.

Overall, it’s really a classy album by Mariah Carey. There are more hits than misses for this album, and she’s really getting more consistent in writing and producing good music. Definitely one of the must-buys for the year, especially more so if you love R&B!

4 out of 5

Favourites: I Want to Know What Love Is, Angels Cry, H.A.T.E.U., Candy Bling, Obsessed

[Update] Due to overwhelming response, there is another concert that is added on the 29th of January! Grab the best tickets while you still can!

Amit will be coming to Singapore as part of her first world tour! The concert will be held on 30 January 2010 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium at 8pm! Tickets will go on sale from 10am tomorrow (1st October 2009)!

Click on the following link to get tickets online:

http://www.sistic.com.sg/portal/dt?retry=1&dt.windowProvider.targetPortletChannel=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar/Event&contentCode=amei0110&dt.isPortletRequest=true&dt.provider=PortletWindowProcessChannel&dt.containerName=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar&dt.action=process&dt.windowProvider.currentChannelMode=VIEW&dt.window.portletAction=RENDER

In the mean time, some clips from her recent performance at F1 Rocks Singapore:

Feeling very “Close My Eyes” now…

I was a wayward child
With the weight of the world
That I held deep inside
Life was a winding road
And I learned many things
Little ones shouldn’t know

But I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And though time’s rolled by
Still I feel like that child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

Funny how one can learn
To grow numb to the madness
And block it away
I left the worst unsaid
Let it all dissipate
And I try to forget

As I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And the time rolled by
Still I feel like that child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

Nearing the edge
Oblivious I almost
Fell right over
A part of me
Will never be quite able
To feel stable
That woman-child falling inside
Was on the verge of fading
Thankfully I
Woke up in time

Guardian angle I
Sail away on an ocean
With you by my side
Orange clouds roll by
They burn into your image
And you’re still alive
(You’re always alive)

As I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And the time rolls by
Still I feel like that child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

I like how she used “roll” in the chorus differently. I forgot what they call this type of usage in English…

Here are some upcoming releases for those who are interested in Mandarin music!

9/25 -蔡淳佳, 回到最初 (her brand new album in 2 years)

9/25- 張韶涵, 第5季 (her brand new album in 2 years)

9/25- 陳奕迅, 上五樓的快活

10/9 – ELVA蕭亞軒, 鑽石糖 (she’s apparently launching her world concert tour towards the end of the year!)