Love, Sax and Flashbacks

Last updated

Love, Sax and Flashbacks
Fleur East - Love, Sax and Flashbacks (Official Album Cover).png
Standard edition cover. The background is coloured red instead of blue on deluxe editions of the album.
Studio album by
Released4 December 2015 (2015-12-04)
Recorded2014–2015
Genre
Length40:33
Label Syco
Producer
Fleur East chronology
Love, Sax and Flashbacks
(2015)
Fearless
(2020)
Singles from Love, Sax and Flashbacks
  1. "Sax [2] "
    Released: 6 November 2015
  2. "More and More"
    Released: 22 January 2016
  3. "Like That [3] "
    Released: 20 April 2016
  4. "Breakfast [4] "
    Released: 20 May 2016

Love, Sax and Flashbacks is the debut studio album by English singer, songwriter and rapper Fleur East. It was released on 4 December 2015, through Syco.

Contents

It was preceded by the lead single "Sax" which reached number 3 in the UK and received a platinum certification. [5] "More and More" was released as the second single respectively.

The album received mainly positive reviews upon its release. It peaked at number 14 on the UK albums chart with 26,691 first week copies sold. Elsewhere it peaked at number 12 in the Scottish albums chart and number 16 in the Irish albums chart. Since its release Love, Sax and Flashbacks has sold 92,000 copies and has been certified silver.

Background

In 2005, East was in the girl group Addictiv Ladies, who were on the second series of The X Factor , mentored by judge and head of Syco Music, Simon Cowell, but were eliminated in the first week after ending up in the bottom two with Chico Slimani. [6] East worked as a waitress at the London nightclub Aura Mayfair to help support her music career, and was a fitness model with the agency W Athletic, but struggled with her finances. [7] [8] [9]

East later said that by early 2014, she was "definitely depressed" and considering ending her music career, until her friends and relatives encouraged her to audition for The X Factor. [10] In June 2014, East auditioned for the eleventh series of The X Factor. She progressed to the live shows in the Over 25 category, mentored by Cowell. In the ninth week of the live shows, East performed "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. East's version went to number one on the UK iTunes Store, which led the original song to be released five weeks earlier than planned; it subsequently reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. [11] The following week, during the show's final, East was announced as the runner-up in the competition, losing to Ben Haenow. [12]

In January 2015, East announced that she had signed to Cowell's Syco Music record label. [13] She recorded her debut album with musicians such as Wayne Hector, The Invisible Men, Jack Splash and TMS. [14]

Singles

"Sax" was released as the album's lead single on 6 November 2015. Following a critically acclaimed performance of the single on The X Factor, [15] [16] it debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. [17] This was notably higher than the debut single of contemporary, Ben Haenow, which peaked at number 21 in October. [18] "Sax" spent 4 weeks in the chart's top 5. [19] A music video for the single was released on 26 November. [20]

"More and More" was released as the album's second single on 22 January 2016. East performed the track for the first time at the 2016 National Television Awards.

"Breakfast" was made available to download on 20 November 2015, and charted at number 167 in the UK. It was released as a single in the US on 19 May 2016.

Development

After being announced as the runner-up on The X Factor, East signed a recording contract with Syco in January 2015. She began working on her debut studio album shortly following The X Factor tour. [21] East split her time between London and Los Angeles to record it. During recording, she was inspired by "Uptown Funk", and described the songs on the album as "very uptempo and very energetic with lots of attitude. [The album has] got loads of influences from the old school. Lots of funk, hip-hop, soul; loads of different sounds fused together. Everything about that song the uptempo vibe, the high energy, the brass, the old school funk sound was just right up my street. I've definitely taken a few influences from that." [22] East revisited her cover of "Uptown Funk", which she had recorded as a studio track prior to her performance on The X Factor, and subsequently re-recorded it for the album.

The lead single "Sax", according to East, was one of the first tracks recorded for the album. East stated that she became fond of the track following its recording, and that she worked hard to make many of the remaining tracks have the same feel and energy to match its quality.

In July 2015, Cowell told The Sun , regarding East's album: "I've heard it and it's world class. She has discovered who she wanted to be. Sometimes you just spot someone who's not obvious and Fleur's a good example of that". [23] By August, work on the album was almost done. [24] East worked with producers Darkchild, Babyface, TMS, Fraser T Smith and Wayne Hector. [22]

Usage in media

East's cover of Alicia Keys' song "Girl on Fire" was used in Virgin Media's television advertisement for broadband. [25]

"Like That" was featured in the movie A Bad Moms Christmas .

Sax was featured in Just Dance Unlimited.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 6.5/10 [26]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [27]
The Arts Desk Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [28]
Digital Spy Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [29]
Evening Standard Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [30]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [31]
The Irish Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [32]

Love, Sax and Flashbacks has received generally favourable reviews from music critics following its release. While many praised the album's production and upbeat tone, some criticized it for lacking substance. Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic gave the album three and a half stars out of five, arguing that despite the "strong '80s throwback vibe" its production was "by no means derivative and lazy", and considered that "for a runner-up and her first outing, this is top-spot quality pop". [27] Digital Spy awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "more than just funky brass" and identifying the "refreshing" lack of balladry present. Particular praise was aimed at the album's lead single "Sax" and the track "Gold Watch". [29] The Irish Times were positive in their review of the album, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. They described the album as "a sassy, funky, brass-infused collection that is equal parts nostalgia trip and sugar rush." They particularly praised the track, "Like That", calling it "a song that would give Beyoncé a run for her money." [32] Pop Crush also gave the album a positive review, commenting "Love, Sax and Flashbacks is not a game-changing pop masterpiece, and at times, the constant throwbacks start to border on pastiche. What it does have is a breezy, likable charm, and enough interesting twists to feel like a promising start for Fleur East on her quest to become an all-singing, all-dancing pop sensation" and calling it a "true standout". They awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars. [33] The Arts Desk gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, commenting the record "does everything that good pop should, and it does it surprisingly well." [28]

The Guardian were less positive, awarding the album only 2 out of 5 stars. While they commended East's "enormous energy", they criticised the record for lacking substance, suggesting that it fails in its "assumption that if the songs dazzle with bright lights and fanfare the public might not notice its vacancy". [31] Evening Standard also gave the album 2 out 5 stars, saying the "signature note of Syco cheapness clings to the whole production and ultimately lets her down." [30]

Chart performance

The album debuted at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart selling 26,691 copies. In Scotland the album debuted at number 12 in its first week of release. The album debuted at number 16 in Ireland. To date the album has sold over 92,000 copies and received a silver certification. [34]

Track listing

Love, Sax and Flashbacks – Standard edition [35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sax"
3:56
2."Breakfast"
Bunetta3:25
3."More and More"
  • East
  • Purcell
  • Erfjord
  • Michelsen
  • Abrahart
3:55
4."Gold Watch" TMS 3:32
5."Love Me or Leave Me Alone"
  • Kiriakou
  • Bey
3:15
6."Paris"
Electric3:22
7."Kitchen"
Oak Felder3:32
8."Over Getting Over"
3:21
9."Baby Don't Dance"
3:25
10."Tears Will Dry"Sermstyle3:14
11."Never Say When"
  • East
  • Lauryen
  • Wansel
  • Felder
Pop & Oak3:23
12."Uptown Funk" (live X Factor performance)Bunetta2:20
Total length:40:33
Love, Sax and Flashbacks – Deluxe edition (bonus tracks) [36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Like That"
3:11
13."Serious"
3:29
14."Know Your Name"
  • Kay
  • Cutfather
3:28
15."Uptown Funk" (live X Factor performance)
  • Bhasker
  • Lawrence
  • Mars
  • Ronson
  • Williams
  • Gallaspy
  • Simmons
  • The Gap Band
  • Taylor
Bunetta2:20
16."Girl on Fire"Afterhrs3:35
Total length:54:22
Notes

Charts and certifications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Cowell</span> English reality television judge, television producer and music executive (born 1959)

Simon Phillip Cowell is an English television personality, entrepreneur, and record executive. He has judged on the British television talent competition shows Pop Idol (2001–2003), The X Factor UK, and Britain's Got Talent (2007–present), as well as the American television talent competition shows American Idol (2002–2010), The X Factor US (2011–2013), and America's Got Talent (2016–present). Cowell founded the British entertainment company Syco in 2005, as well as its now-defunct predecessor, Syco Music in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinitta</span> British-American singer (born 1963)

Sinitta Malone, known mononymously as Sinitta, is a British-American singer. She initially found commercial success in the mid-1980s with the single "So Macho" and had several other hits during the decade. In the 2000s, she became known for television appearances, including Loose Women, The Xtra Factor and This Morning. She took part in the ITV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leona Lewis</span> British singer (born 1985)

Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter, actress, and model. Born and raised in Islington, Inner London, she later attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon. Lewis achieved national recognition when she won the third series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music. Her winner's single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This", peaked at number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart and broke a world record by reaching 50,000 digital downloads within 30 minutes. In February 2007, Lewis signed a five-album contract in the United States with Clive Davis's record label, J Records.

Syco Music, originally and formerly S Records, was a division of Syco Entertainment which operated from 2002 until 2020. The label was founded by British entrepreneur, record executive and media personality Simon Cowell, who was formerly employed at Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG).

Same Difference were an English bubblegum pop duo from Portsmouth, England, made up of siblings Sean Smith and Sarah Smith. They came to prominence in 2007 when they were the last contestant eliminated in the fourth series of the ITV talent show, The X Factor.

<i>Overcome</i> (Alexandra Burke album) 2009 studio album by Alexandra Burke

Overcome is the debut studio album by British singer Alexandra Burke, released 19 October 2009 on Syco Music. The release of the album came a year after Burke won the British talent show, The X Factor, with the recording process taking place between 2008 and 2009. Critics praised the album for showcasing Burke's vocal charm and characterisation, comparing her vocal to American singers Anastacia and Whitney Houston and its contemporary finish; using a variety of acclaimed producers including RedOne and Ne-Yo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cher Lloyd</span> English singer (born 1993)

Cher Lloyd is an English singer. She participated on the seventh series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2010 and finished in fourth place. Following the show, Lloyd was signed to Syco Music in the United Kingdom and Epic Records in the United States. She released her debut studio album, Sticks and Stones, in 2011, which had two releases: its standard edition and a US version. The album peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart, while the latter version debuted at number nine in the US Billboard 200. It included the successful singles "Swagger Jagger", which entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart, "With Ur Love", and "Want U Back".

Jai McDowall is a Scottish singer–songwriter, who won the fifth series of Britain's Got Talent in June 2011. As the winner, he received £100,000 and performed at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance. McDowall was signed to Syco Music, a subdivision of record label giant, Sony Music. His debut album Believe was released on 9 December 2011. The lead single "With or Without You" was released the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Spraggan</span> English singer-songwriter (born 1991)

Lucy Honour Ruby Spraggan is an English singer-songwriter. Spraggan was a contestant on The X Factor in 2012, and she was the first contestant in the show's history to score a Top 40 single and album before the live shows aired, with her independently released album Top Room at the Zoo. Following the show Spraggan signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, and she has released seven studio albums in total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something I Need</span> 2013 single by OneRepublic

"Something I Need" is a song recorded by American pop rock band OneRepublic. It was released on August 25, 2013, through Mosley Music and Interscope Records as the third single from their third studio album, Native (2013). The song was written and produced by Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco. It peaked at number six in Australia, where it has been certified 3× Platinum, and number four in New Zealand, where it has been certified Gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Bailey</span> English pop singer

Samantha Florence Bailey is an English pop singer who won the tenth series of The X Factor in 2013. Following her win, her debut single, a cover of Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper" was released on 15 December 2013, achieving the Christmas number one on 22 December 2013. She was the first X Factor winner in three years to gain the Christmas number one spot.

<i>I Am</i> (Leona Lewis album) 2015 studio album by Leona Lewis

I Am is the fifth studio album by English singer Leona Lewis. It was released on 11 September 2015, by Island Records after Lewis took leave from Syco Music in June 2014. Recording began in mid 2013, during the production of Lewis's first Christmas album and fourth studio album, Christmas, with Love (2013). Recording sessions resumed in January 2014 with producer Poet, Toby Gad and Wayne Wilkins. I Am is preceded by the release of "Fire Under My Feet" and the album's title track except for in the United States where "Thunder" precedes the album. The album reached top 40 in multiple countries, including US, United Kingdom, Spain and Germany.

<i>The Power of Love</i> (Sam Bailey album) 2014 studio album by Sam Bailey

The Power of Love is the debut studio album by English singer Sam Bailey, the winner of the tenth series of The X Factor. It is largely an album of cover versions with the exception of one original song, "Treasure". The album was released on 21 March 2014 via Syco Music and Sony Music.

<i>Chapter One</i> (Ella Henderson album) 2014 studio album by Ella Henderson

Chapter One is the debut studio album by English singer an songwriter Ella Henderson. It was released on 10 October 2014 by Syco Music. Chapter One reached number one in the UK in its first week of release. The album was preceded by the internationally successful single, "Ghost", as well as UK singles "Glow", "Yours" and "Mirror Man". In January 2015, the album was certified Platinum in the UK, shipping in excess of 300,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleur East</span> British singer (born 1987)

Fleur East is an English singer-songwriter, rapper and presenter. East competed on the second series of The X Factor in 2005 as part of the girl group Addictiv Ladies but was unsuccessful. In 2012, she signed with Strictly Rhythm. In collaboration with Drumsound & Bassline Smith, she released "One in a Million" (2013), which peaked at number 53 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Haenow</span> British singer

Benjamin Bernard Haenow is a British singer-songwriter. In 2014, he was crowned as the winner of the eleventh series of The X Factor UK after beating Fleur East. Following his win, his debut single, a cover of OneRepublic's "Something I Need", was released in December 2014. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the 2014 Christmas number one. Haenow released his self-titled debut studio album in November 2015, preceded by the single "Second Hand Heart", a duet with Kelly Clarkson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire Under My Feet</span> 2015 single by Leona Lewis

"Fire Under My Feet" is a song by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis from her fifth studio album, I Am (2015). It was released as the lead single from the album on 7 June 2015 by Island and Def Jam. An uptempo song with gospel influences, "Fire Under My Feet" was recorded at Kite Music Studios in Los Angeles and was written by Lewis with Toby Gad, who also produced the song.

<i>Ben Haenow</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Ben Haenow

Ben Haenow is the self-titled debut studio album by English singer Ben Haenow, released on 13 November 2015, through Syco Music and RCA Records. After winning the eleventh series of The X Factor in 2014, Haenow travelled to Los Angeles to immediately begin development of the album by collaborating with established musicians such as Kelly Clarkson, Julian Bunetta, Iain James, Kodaline, Anne Preven, Red Triangle, Steve Robson, J.R. Rotem, and Amy Wadge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sax (song)</span> 2015 single by Fleur East

"Sax" is the debut single by English singer, rapper and songwriter Fleur East, from her debut album Love, Sax and Flashbacks (2015). It was released as the lead single from the album on 6 November 2015 by Syco Records.

English singer-songwriter Fleur East has released two studio albums, one extended play and eight studio singles. Fleur signed a record deal with Syco in 2014 and released her debut album Love, Sax and Flashbacks in 2015. It charted at 14 in the UK Albums Chart and has been certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry. The album spawned two singles, European chart hit "Sax", which was certified Platinum in the UK and charted at number 3, and "More and More".

References

  1. Behan, Conor (3 December 2015). "Fleur Eas Flourishes on 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks': Album Review". PopCrush. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. Sax - Single by Fleur East https://music.apple.com/us/album/sax-single/1042684479
  3. Like That - Single by Fleur East https://music.apple.com/us/album/like-that-single/1224695919
  4. Breakfast - Single by Fleur East https://music.apple.com/us/album/breakfast-single/1113026221
  5. "Love, Sax And Flashbacks by Fleur East: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon UK.
  6. "BBC - 1Xtra TX - Addictiv Ladies: X Factor?". BBC. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  7. "OMG 2014 X Factor finalist Fleur East knows ALL Rita Ora's party secrets!". nowmagazine.
  8. Anton. "Model/ Sport Profile - W Athletic". Archived from the original on 12 January 2015.
  9. Janine Yaqoob (14 December 2014). "X Factor Final 2014: Fleur East was so broke she nearly gave up music". Daily Mirror .
  10. Ashleigh Rainbird (9 December 2014). "X Factor's Fleur East: My fight with depression inspired me to be a winner". mirror.
  11. "Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk breaks all-time streaming record!". Official Charts .
  12. "Ben Haenow wins The X Factor 2014: as it happened - Telegraph". Telegraph.co.uk. 15 December 2014.
  13. "X Factor's Fleur East signs record deal with Simon Cowell's label Syco". Digital Spy. 12 January 2015.
  14. "Fleur East working on "uptempo" album with Wayne Hector". Digital Spy. 26 February 2015.
  15. YouTube.
  16. Alicia Adejobi (9 November 2015). "The X Factor 2015: Fleur East leaves Simon Cowell speechless with performance of new single Sax". International Business Times UK.
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts .
  18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts .
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts .
  20. Fleur East - Sax (Official Video). 26 November 2015 via YouTube.
  21. "X Factor's Fleur East signs record deal with Simon Cowell's label Syco". Digital Spy. 12 January 2015.
  22. 1 2 "Fleur East: 'There's definitely a few Uptown Funk influences on my album'". Digital Spy. 22 August 2015.
  23. "X Factor's Simon Cowell: 'Fleur East's album is world class'". Reveal.
  24. "X Factor star Fleur East: "Debut album almost ready"". Reveal.
  25. "Fleur East's first music after The X Factor is her, and it's a cover". Digital Spy. 2 October 2015.
  26. "Love, Sax and Flashbacks by Fleur East reviews". AnyDecentMusic? . Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  27. 1 2 Z. Yeung, Neil. "Love, Sax & Flashbacks - Fleur East". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  28. 1 2 "CD: Fleur East – Love, Sax and Flashbacks". The Arts Desk .
  29. 1 2 Lewis Corner (2 December 2015). "EXCLUSIVE! Fleur East's debut album Love, Sax and Flashbacks - Our track-by-track first listen review". Digital Spy.
  30. 1 2 Richard Godwin (4 December 2015). "Fleur East - Love, Sax and Flashbacks, album review". Evening Standard.
  31. 1 2 Harriet Gibsone (3 December 2015). "Fleur East: Love, Sax and Flashbacks review – X Factor graduate's lightweight pop debut". The Guardian.
  32. 1 2 "Album reviews: The best of the week's new releases". The Irish Times. 3 December 2015.
  33. Conor Behan (3 December 2015). "Fleur East Flourishes on 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks': Album Review". PopCrush.
  34. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts .
  35. "iTunes - Music - Love, Sax and Flashbacks by Fleur East". iTunes Store (GB). 4 December 2015.
  36. "iTunes - Music - Love, Sax and Flashbacks (Deluxe) by Fleur East". iTunes Store (GB). 4 December 2015.
  37. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 50, 2015". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  38. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  39. "Swisscharts.com – Fleur East – Love, Sax and Flashbacks". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  40. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  41. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 2015". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  42. "British album certifications – Fleur East – Love, Sax and Flashbacks". British Phonographic Industry.
  43. Copsey, Rob (18 December 2018). "Fleur East announces new single Favourite Thing". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 18 December 2018.