Love, Sax and Flashbacks | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 4 December 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014–2015 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 40:33 | |||
Label | Syco | |||
Producer | ||||
Fleur East chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Love, Sax and Flashbacks | ||||
|
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.
It was preceded by the lead single "Sax" which reached number 3 in the UK and received a platinum certification. [2] "More and More" was released as the second single on 22 January 2016.
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.
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. [3] 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. [4] [5] [6]
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. [7] 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. [8] The following week, during the show's final, East was announced as the runner-up in the competition, losing to Ben Haenow. [9]
In January 2015, East announced that she had signed to Cowell's Syco Music record label. [10] She recorded her debut album with musicians such as Wayne Hector, The Invisible Men, Jack Splash and TMS. [11]
"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, [12] [13] it debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. [14] This was notably higher than the debut single of contemporary, Ben Haenow, which peaked at number 21 in October. [15] "Sax" spent 4 weeks in the chart's top 5. [16] A music video for the single was released on 26 November. [17]
"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.
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. [18] 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." [19] 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". [20] By August, work on the album was almost done. [21] East worked with producers Darkchild, Babyface, TMS, Fraser T Smith and Wayne Hector. [19]
East's cover of Alicia Keys' song "Girl on Fire" was used in Virgin Media's television advertisement for broadband. [22]
"Like That" was featured in the movie A Bad Moms Christmas .
Sax was featured in Just Dance Unlimited.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.5/10 [23] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [24] |
The Arts Desk | [25] |
Digital Spy | [26] |
Evening Standard | [27] |
The Guardian | [28] |
The Irish Times | [29] |
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". [24] 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". [26] 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." [29] 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. [30] 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." [25]
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". [28] 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." [27]
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. [31]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Sax" | 3:56 | ||
2. | "Breakfast" |
| Bunetta | 3:25 |
3. | "More and More" |
|
| 3:55 |
4. | "Gold Watch" |
| TMS | 3:32 |
5. | "Love Me or Leave Me Alone" |
|
| 3:15 |
6. | "Paris" |
| Electric | 3:22 |
7. | "Kitchen" |
| Oak Felder | 3:32 |
8. | "Over Getting Over" |
| 3:21 | |
9. | "Baby Don't Dance" |
| 3:25 | |
10. | "Tears Will Dry" |
| Sermstyle | 3:14 |
11. | "Never Say When" |
| Pop & Oak | 3:23 |
12. | "Uptown Funk" (live X Factor performance) |
| Bunetta | 2:20 |
Total length: | 40:33 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
12. | "Like That" |
|
| 3:11 |
13. | "Serious" |
|
| 3:29 |
14. | "Know Your Name" |
|
| 3:28 |
15. | "Uptown Funk" (live X Factor performance) |
| Bunetta | 2:20 |
16. | "Girl on Fire" |
| Afterhrs | 3:35 |
Total length: | 54:22 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Certifications
|
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), and the American television talent competition shows American Idol (2002–2010), The X Factor US (2011–2013) and America's Got Talent (2016–present). Cowell is the founder and sole owner of the British entertainment company Syco.
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.
Shayne Thomas Ward is an English singer and actor. He rose to fame as the winner of the second series of The X Factor. His debut single, "That's My Goal", was released in the United Kingdom on 21 December 2005 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and was that year's Christmas number one. It sold 313,000 copies on its first day of sales, making it the third-fastest-selling single of all time in the UK, behind Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" and Will Young's "Evergreen", which sold 685,000 and 400,000 copies in their first days of sale, respectively.
Leon Jackson is a Scottish singer. He finished first in the fourth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2007. Following his win, Jackson was the main star of his on-web series entitled Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 until 2008. Jackson's début album, Right Now (2008) finished the year as the 75th best-selling album in the UK, and included the singles, "Don't Call This Love", "Creative" and "Stargazing".
Syco Music, originally S Records, was a division of Syco Entertainment founded by British entrepreneur and record executive Simon Cowell. Founded in 2002, the label launched while Cowell was still employed by BMG, the label oversaw music releases by Robson & Jerome, Five, Westlife and Teletubbies. A year later, BMG, now named Sony BMG, bought Cowell's share in both Syco Music and Syco Television. Later in 2010, Cowell and Sony Music entered a joint venture agreement that would see Cowell and Sony each own 50% of the new Syco Entertainment company which encompassed both the previous Syco TV and Syco Music divisions. The brand had multiple well-known acts signed such as Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello, One Direction, Little Mix and CNCO. In July 2020, Sony sold the rights to the television formats and assets back to Cowell, effectively divesting all of Syco's non-music divisions. As part of the venture, Syco Music, its current roster and back catalog remains with Sony Music as a wholly owned subsidiary. However, as of September 2020, and according to industry magazine Music Week, the label is now defunct, with staff either leaving or being redeployed elsewhere within the Sony Music group.
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.
Rebecca Caroline Ferguson is a British soul singer and songwriter. In 2010, Ferguson finished in second place in the seventh series of The X Factor. She later released her debut album titled Heaven in December 2011. The album peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. Ferguson celebrated three more top-ten albums: Freedom (2013), Lady Sings the Blues (2015) and Superwoman (2016). She cites Aretha Franklin, Kings of Leon, Christina Aguilera and Amy Winehouse among her influences.
Cher Lloyd is an English singer. She was the thirteenth contestant eliminated on the seventh series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2010. 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.
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.
Gabriella Michelle Henderson, known as Ella Henderson, is an English singer and songwriter. She competed in the ninth series of The X Factor UK in 2012, being the eighth contestant eliminated despite being a strong favourite to win. She signed with Syco Music shortly after, and released her debut studio album, Chapter One (2014), which reached number one in the UK. The album spawned the chart-topping single "Ghost", as well as the top 20 singles "Glow" and "Yours". Henderson went on a four-year hiatus in 2015. Her second studio album, Everything I Didn't Say, was released in 2022.
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.
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.
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.
Fleur East is an English singer-songwriter, rapper and presenter. She competed on the second series of the televised singing competition The X Factor in 2005 as a member of the girl group Addictiv Ladies. In 2012, she then launched a solo career with the record label Strictly Rhythm and released songs with dance musicians including DJ Fresh and Drumsound & Bassline Smith. East returned to The X Factor as a solo artist in 2014 for its eleventh series, where she finished in second place behind Ben Haenow.
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.
"Second Hand Heart" is a song by English singer Ben Haenow, from his self-titled debut studio album, Ben Haenow (2015). Featuring American singer Kelly Clarkson, it is an upbeat pop song produced by Afterhrs, Jason Halbert, and Pete Hammerton, written by Artist vs. Poet members Joe Kirkland and Jason Dean with Afterhrs members Ian Franzino and Andrew Haas, with additional writing by Neil Ormandy. "Second Hand Heart" was issued as the album's lead and only single on 16 October 2015, by Syco Music and RCA Records.
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.
"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".