Ella Henderson was a 16 year old girl who won our hearts when she performed on X Factor, most memorably creating a tangible and artistic cover of Cher’s ‘Believe’, which left Nicole Scherzinger in tears. She presented her self belief and we believed she could go all the way! After being favourite to win the competition in 2012, she left the show in 6th place. However, I think this was the best thing that could have happened to her, her shocking departure gave her more publicity and recognition, and she escaped X Factor’s grasp, although she signed with Cowell’s label, Syco Music.
Since then she has matured along with her musical talent, having started work on her debut album. This girl oozes talent, and has a tone and signature sound no one can impersonate. This northern lass is unique and has originality by being her own song writer. Having waited 2 years for this debut album, we’re on the edge of our seats to hear what she has to offer. She has already released two successful singles, the most famous being, ‘Ghost’ which reached number 1 in over 10 countries, with over 2 million views on YouTube, making her the best selling artist in 2014. The next single, ‘Glow’, was mainstream in genre but still presented her voice in all its glory.
This album incorporates both acoustic and heavy backing tracks, but Ella is a rarity in that she doesn’t need to hide behind the auto-tune button. Many of her songs have YouTube acoustic versions and several tracks are purely her voice and a mellow piano, as it should be. Her most beautiful tracks in my opinion are ‘Five Tattoos’ and ‘Yours’, they are gentle, melodic yet intense, much like the teenage love she sings about. In her acoustic tracks, you can almost hear her heart healing reflecting the personal aspect of her music, and the release it gives her.
Of course there are a few tracks which are too over processed and would be much better stripped back to follow her silky tracks such as ‘Lay Down’. But her contrast between songs on this album means there is something for everyone and you are never bored. The album includes the song from her first audition on X Factor, ‘Missed’, which is sure to be an instant favourite. Now aged 18, she’s due to launch her career stateside, but comments that she wants her music to remain personal and intimate and the way she talks about music in interviews shows her maturity and genuine expression through music. Chapter One was released on the 13th of October and I hope we have many more chapters to document her dimensional talent.
Chapter One was released on the 10th of October via Syco Music.
