It may be too early to count this album, or its accompanying tracks, out for good (it has not even been released in the U.S. yet), but Leona Lewis' Glassheart has some very bright moments that will probably never get to see the light of day.
The third studio album from The X Factor alumni had been hit with numerous problems from the beginning. Original lead single "Collide" experienced some plagiarism drama, singles "Trouble" and "Lovebird" stalled on the charts, never matching the success of "Bleeding Love", and reviews for the effort as a whole were mixed at best. However, the album had an impact on me, was featured as my 7th favorite effort of 2012 and has songs that I listen to daily even a year later. While only two tracks received the official single treatment, I was wondering what would have made the perfect third? What song could have helped get album get on its feet here in the U.S.?
One song that had immense radio takeover potential was surprisingly the album's title track. Now normally title tracks are usually just filler, but "Glassheart" was something completely unexpected and truly remarkable. Lewis is known for her soft, impressive, show-stopping ballads, and the title track is still somewhat like a ballad, but then again it's not. Paired with an interesting dubstep breakdown and other electronic production, the artist's soaring vocals keep the track from sounding like the generic club offering we usually get from female pop stars. From beginning to end, the song slinks by with its sultry, somewhat depressing, vibe and became a highlight for the album.
"Glassheart" showed that Lewis had range, that she could eventually become a dance queen if she wanted to and still have the music she crafted be critically praised. The song was a staple in my music intake in 2012, where it became my 2nd favorite song of the year, and had so much potential to be the perfect break-up/love song during the winter months. The song should have immediately been chosen as the album's lead single, if not, then at least the second offering. The pop/dance/dubstep hybrid could have found itself sitting nicely in the top region of the charts if promoted properly. Don't you think? Anyway, I'll keep playing the masterpiece and crying for all the wrong reasons!
If for some reason "Glassheart" was not doing it for Lewis' record label execs, I do not know why it wouldn't, then another easy choice for a future single would have been the heartbreaking, mid-tempo, radio-friendly "Un Love Me", where it sounds as if the artist is about to breakdown in tears at any moment. Talk about committing to a song. Lewis' vocals are absolutely flawless on the song, they immediately steal the spotlight, this is the definition of perfection. She goes through the material like it is no hard task at all, letting her vocals soar to new heights and quickly becomes another one of her signature tracks. It would have dominated if released.
"Un Love Me" is simply a well put together pop ballad. Production does not become too overwhelming, Lewis' gives a great performance that literally gave me chills, and she is heard doing what she does best. Some fans may have been skeptical of her new dance influences when the album was first announced, but one listen to this track and all doubts would have been put to rest. In 2013, we are seeing a trend of fans leaning more towards tracks showcasing instrumentals and vocals that have not been changed completely with Auto Tune. This song has everything needed to reign supreme if for some miracle it ever got the official single treatment.
Besides "Glassheart" and "Un Love Me", another great single choice laid in the power of "Come Alive", a dark, techno/dance-inspired creation which sounded like it had been pulled out of the 90s era. It is something unique and different, especially for Lewis, and quickly grabbed my attention during my first listen of the album! Perfect!
Now I know Glassheart has only been out for a year, it could still make its official debut in the U.S. somewhere down the road, but I have a feeling Lewis is already on to her next project, sweeping these amazing songs under the rug, which is why they will forever be known as great single that never happened. I blame her record label. Time to go pray to the pop gods once again!
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