Given the fact that the X Factor runner-up has gone on to sell more records than the winner every year for the last FIVE years (sorry to rub it in, Ray Quinn), it’s hard to imagine Rebecca Ferguson being particularly inconsolable when she gracefully accepted a second-place finish behind Matt Cardle 12 months ago.
She’s the one from last year’s Top 5 who has taken the most time in bringing out the debut opus. Mary Byrne rush-released a covers album in March, Cher Lloyd over-excitedly made us all victims of ‘Swagger Jagger’ in June and One Direction stole Matt Cardle’s thunder by releasing just a few weeks before him in September. But R-Fergz has had a lot more artistic license with her record than any of her co-stars.
For her, it’s been gruelling sit-downs with songwriting overlord Eg White, the man who bought out the best in Adele (‘Chasing Pavements’), Duffy (‘Warwick Avenue’) and Will Young (‘Leave Right Now’), and the result is beautiful. If forced to pick out highlights, ‘Shoulder To Shoulder’ is worthy of acclaim for its restrained anguish, ‘Fairytale (Let Me Live My Life This Way)’ for sheer sass, and ‘Fighting Suspicions’ for sounding like a both Bond theme and the soundtrack to a melodramatic Film Noir all at the same time.
Performances like ‘Make You Feel My Love’ on X Factor last year proved Rebecca has the voice for big things, but here we’re shown an incredible knack for songwriting as well. Like with the Adele album, there will be those who prefer their pop with more bells on, but in terms of artistic ability Ferguson could be the best talent show discovery since… ever?
Rebecca Ferguson's 2011
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