sat 07/12/2024

CD: Rebecca Ferguson - Freedom | reviews, news & interviews

CD: Rebecca Ferguson - Freedom

CD: Rebecca Ferguson - Freedom

Has the X Factor's brightest star still got that magic?

Ferguson: the Diana Ross look

Rebecca Ferguson’s first album, Heaven, blew in like a summer breeze in the freezing winter of 2011. What made the Liverpudlian’s debut stand out was not so much the quality of her voice – although it was undeniably big and infectious  – but rather that, as an X Factor alumnus, she actually seemed to have something worthwhile to say.

As such, it gives me no pleasure to say that the follow up, Freedom, sounds insipid; more Magic FM than, well, magic.  

Previously, Ferguson had succeeded in conveying personal struggles through bright, muscular soul melodies. This time around, however, she has simply given us 12 slices of inoffensive R’n’B, apparently "inspired by her babies". The vocal quality has nosedived too. Song after song is belted out with a sledgehammer force reminiscent of Heather Small's later work. Even where John Legend lends a hand on “Bridges” the effect is overblown and syrupy. And the closest Ferguson gets to the lightness of touch she showed on Heaven is the opener “All That I’ve Got”.

What’s so frustrating is how many of the songs – "Wonderful World" is a good example – start off so promisingly, but then descend into over-produced mulch. One wonders if Ferguson arrived at the studio with a bag full of interesting ideas which progressively got stripped bare thanks to a production committee's idea of commercial success. Or maybe it's just that a trip on the carousel of success – and a romantic liason One Direction’s Zayn Malik – has dimmed Ferguson’s star.

Whatever the reason, the limitations of Freedom will probably come as little surprise to those who thought Heaven was too good to be true for what was, largely, a Simon Cowell product. Maybe what Ferguson really needs to recapture her musical mojo is to free herself further from the forces that first gave her her wider audience.

Overleaf: watch the video for Ferguson's single "I Hope"

 

 

This time round, however, she has simply given us 12 slices of inoffensive R’n’B, apparently "inspired by her babies"

rating

Editor Rating: 
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)

Explore topics

Share this article

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters