Overcome

When a pop song is done right it can sound like the best thing in the world. However, when it’s done badly, with little or no originality, it can be as hollow and tasteless as a pound shop Easter egg. Unfortunately for last year’s X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, her debut falls into the latter category, despite Simon Cowell throwing bundles of cash at the record. That she can sing is apparent, but there is no spark of real musical ambition in evidence. Or that’s the way I hear it. Sounding like a calculated attempt to crack the American market, the lyrics are predictable, the beats are Rihanna knock-offs and the depressingly dull appearances from the likes of Flo Rida and Ne-Yo are shameless attempts for Alexandra to ingratiate herself with Uncle Sam. Not even ‘Broken Heels’, produced by Red One, can add some sparkle to this star. Let’s hope John and Edward don’t get the same treatment when they win at the end of the year.