Zoë Badwi's "Freefallin'" juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. The song has already been a club smash for Australia's leading dance diva and recently nudged its way into the national top 20 after a steady chart climb. I thought the Amy Pearson penned anthem might have peaked at number 16 last week but a stunning performance on Hey Hey It's Saturday has pushed "Freefallin'" into the iTunes top 10 (currently sitting pretty at #6) and landed Zoë her first Gold accreditation for sales exceeding 35,000 copies. Amazing and well deserved! Unfortunately, I was too busy getting drunk on Saturday night to catch the entire performance but a kind soul has finally uploaded it to YouTube. The former face of Sirens kicks of the show with the old dancers under the dress trick. It's not exactly new but I can't think of anyone who has pulled it off with this much verve and glamour since Kylie's Fever tour. Things then get a bit sexy with Zoë's dirty dancers and a delicious strut towards the camera. I love her outfit and she sounds great. The only thing that could have possibly made this any better is a surprise cameo from Amy doing her amazing "Butterfingers" dance routine! Australia has been put on notice.
After a slow start to the year, the Australian pop scene has caught fire with a bunch of hot new tracks on the way from some of our favourite divas. I'll be featuring all of those lovely ladies over the next couple of weeks but it's going to take something pretty amazing to top the pure pop explosion that is "Freefallin'". As many of you already know, I've been a Zoë Badwi fan since the glory days of Sirens (check out theseposts). Solo stardom appeared to be a forgone conclusion when "Release Me" topped the club chart for several months last year but the song never really crossed over despite the fact that I still hear it 3 times a night when I go out. Her follow up singles were a bit hit ("In The Moment") and miss ("Don't Wan'cha") but she has finally struck gold with "Freefallin'".
Penned by Australia's favourite exiled pop star and produced by Denzal Park (of "Filter Freak" fame), the track gently nudges Zoë out of her dance music comfort zone into the radio friendly world of pure pop. You can tell Amy Pearson had her fabulous butterfingers all over this. The lyrics are relentlessly upbeat and the chorus is an absolute monster. I'm so into Amy at the moment. I think her amazing scrapped album should be carved up among Australia's struggling pop divas as a merciful act of charity but I digress. "Freefallin'" is utterly irresistible and I hope it's a massive smash. The song is already available to download on iTunes and the video debuted today. It's a simple affair with Zoë being handcuffed by gay dancers in a flooded sewer (happens to me all the time) but she looks pretty and it's good to know that studded jackets are making a comeback. Check it out below.
As Janet once said - you don't know what you got til' it's gone and that's exactly the way I feel about Amy Pearson. Particularly after the leak of her recently scrapped "Aftershock" album. I didn't know what to expect after the career ending fabulousness of "Butterfingers" but it definitely wasn't a set of stellar urban dance tracks that would make Britney green with envy. Speaking of that sad has-been, "Aftershock" owes a lot to "Blackout". Production wise. The beats come thick and fast and the sound is distinctly American. However, the finished product is a considerabley better due to the fact that Amy can actually sing. Think Christina Aguilera covering tracks from Heidi's genre defining "Superficial" album (go with me) and you get the general idea. It's a heady mix that works surprisingly well. I can't help but think that Sony would have had a massive hit on their hands if they had chosen a less outrageous lead single. I am seriously addicted to "Butterfingers" but you can't go from the girl next door to singing about arseplay and expect your audience of suburban housewives to go along for the ride! Hopefully, Amy can release the album independently online or sell the tracks to another artist. Whatever happens, these songs deserve to be heard. I never thought I'd say it but "Aftershock" is easily the best Australian pop album I've heard this year. Here is my track by track review:
Aftershock
The title track was slated to be the album's second single before Sony pulled the plug. It's a shame because "Aftershock" is stunning in a Britney meets Keri Hilson kind of way. Infectious beats rain down on a series of catchy hooks and a beast of a chorus to create the perfect album opener. Amy's pipes are in great form and she doesn't sound overwhelmed by the heavy production. If this had been the lead single, I think things would have turned out very differently. It's a hot new sound but not quite as breathtakingly trashtastic as "Butterfingers".
Butterfingers
Speaking of which, the most notorious single in recent Australian pop history comes next. I don't care what anyone says - I love this song. And not in a so bad it's good way either. The synths are amazing and that chorus is electric. Amy comes across as a modern day Vanity or Sheena Easton (during her filth phase), which is a massive compliment. However, the lyrics are just too much for the girl who sang "Ready To Fly" and the video (below) was a hot mess. I apologise for likening Amy to a drunk librarian but the styling was all wrong and that tragic (and slightly sordid) finger twirling dance routine will live on in infamy for eternity. A veritable trash classic.
Cold
Now this is just lovely. "Cold" is a mid-tempo electronic ballad that allows the diva to show a softer side. I love the lyrics and delicate production. I'd love to know who wrote and produced this song because it's really very impressive. In many ways it's a perfect stepping stone from her first album. The sweetness is still there but the sound is more contemporary and would have exposed Amy to a younger audience. This would have been my pick for a later single. It's really very, very pretty.
Contagious
Oh gurl. Amy really unleashes her inner diva on this hot track. It's almost as if she's been possessed by the spirit of Sasha Fierce! "Contagious" positively drips confidence and a newfound fuck you attitude. I love a good revenge anthem and Amy slaps her hateful ex where it hurts by singing about her hot new body and saucy nightclub antics. This shit makes me want to laugh, dance and snap my fingers like Miss J all at once. The highlight is when Amy pulls off a Xtina howl halfway through the song and sings "all the hot guys lookin', they're lookin' at me"! I'm devastated that we'll never get a video.
Doctor Love
I'm pretty sure this was produced by the man behind "Aftershock" (there was footage of Amy recordig the two songs on her Myspace) but I could be mistaken. If anyone has the writing and production credits, please send them my way. Anyway, whoever you are, congratulations on making Amy sound so fierce. "Doctor Love" isn't my favourite track on the album but the chorus is fantastic and I like the more straightforward dance sound. I just think the verses needed to be beefier and the lyrics could have been better.
Ghost
Darkchild - the legendary producer behind smash hits like "Telephone", "Say My Name" and "Holler" (LOL) - was rumoured to have worked on the album and the proof is in his trademark name check. As it turns out, Amy didn't get the scraps that Lady GaGa and Beyoncé turned down as I originally expected. "Ghost" is actually one of his better efforts. I love the eerie synths in the intro and think the layered beats combine brilliantly with the simple piano line that runs through the song. The chorus is also pretty special ("since you left me alone, I've been fighting your ghost") and the lyrics ring true. Quality stuff.
Handcuffed
Heidi called and wants her act back! This sounds like a crazy hybrid of "Twisted" and "Fanatic" - only with heavier production and vocal talent. It's a heady mix but Amy pulls it off. Almost.
I Want Your Love
Amy lifts her foot off the pedal for this catchy mid-tempo jam. The song has a distinctly urban sheen, which suits her voice surprisingly well. I particularly love the diva's rap (!) in the middle. Amy is nothing if not versatile! While there are stronger tracks on the album, "I Want Your Love" is easy to digest radio fodder with a memorable chorus. Most of us can also identify with the lyrics ("I'm not your stepping stone, just a number in your phone") and I love the telephone special effects at the beginning of the song. Yes, I'm that easy to please.
Magnetic (Ft. HR King)
HR King is one of Australia's most underrated singers, so I was happily surprised to find him on "Aftershock". It's a shame then that his duet with Amy will never see the light of day because "Magnetic" is a great track. I love the guitar riff that they built the song around and their voices combine effortlessly on the chorus. Definitely worth hunting down.
Murder
It wouldn't be an Amy Pearson album without at least one ballad and "Murder" is the perfect vehicle for the diva's powerful pipes. The murder metaphor has been done before (and better) and I found the production a little heavy handed (strings and Danja-esque beats?) but it is a nice change of pace and a reminder that despite the occasional misstep, Amy has an amazing voice.
Puppet
"Puppet" reminds me of the Timbaland produced tracks on Ashlee Simpson's criminally underrated "Bittersweet World" album. Yes, it's that amazing. I love the deceptively catchy vocal hooks and the chorus is insane. The quirky lyrics are also a treat and I'm a sucker for a bit of autotune. This would have made a great single - it's radio ready and club friendly. How depressing that it will never grace the airwaves or be played in a nightclub. Boo.
Ten Steps
Strangely, this is the one track from the album that doesn't appear to have leaked. And I'm not sure why because it's probably the best song on "Aftershock". There was even talk of it being a future single when the album was first being promoted late last year. It was written by DNA (the songwriting team behind Chris Sorbello's "So Lonely") and takes Amy back to her pop roots. Sure, the production is still faux Darkchild/Danja but the chorus and lyrics return the diva to more familiar territory. I love it and hope it turns up somewhere else in the near future.
In the year's most unsurprising development, Amy Pearson has been kicked to the curb by Sony Australia. Rumours have been circulating for a while now but sources close to the singer have confirmed that she has officially "parted ways" with her record company. I'm gutted. Amy's first album was a Delta-lite abomination but I loved her new direction. I know I ridiculed her desperate transformation from girl next door to sleazy dance diva in a post last October but I also hailed "Butterfingers" as the "best song about arse play since Pull Up To The Bumper" and included it in my best of 2009 countdown. Unfortunately, the rest of Australia wasn't as willing to overlook Amy's tragic makeover or her frigid librarian on GHB dance moves. "Butterfingers" ultimately failed to dent the top 100 despite its A List producer and top notch remixes - leaving everyone with egg on their face.
It's a shame because I think Amy was just starting to grow into her new sound. The rest of "Aftershock" (her scrapped album) is much less confronting than "Butterfingers" and contains some killer tunes - especially the title track and "Ten Steps". Either would have made a more appropriate lead single, showcasing the diva's new style but not completely alienating her old fans. Happily, it's not all doom and gloom for Amy. There are rumours that she might release the album "via other means" and I know she recently collaborated with one of Australia's hottest dance outfits on a track to be released later in the year. Until then, I'd like to pay tribute to singer's stint at Sony and wish her all the best for the future. "Butterfingers" might have sank like the Titanic but it made me a fan!
Oh and here's Amy working her fabulous butterfingers in a rare live TV performance of her notorious flop. I actually think this is great. She seems much more at ease with the dance steps and her voice sounds amazing.
In 2009's most startling transformation, Amy Pearson has dropped her horsey girl-next-door image in favour of a sexy new look. She's also ditched the bland ballads that made her debut album a cure for insomnia and re-emerged with a hot new dance-pop sound. I'm not sure who Amy thinks she's fooling. She still looks like a librarian doing her best Britney impersonation but I couldn't care less. In one fell swoop, Amy has gone from being Australia's most boring pop star to a pop trash diva worth celebrating. I love the overwhelming sense of desperation and genuinely respect her for going after the notoriously hard to crack dance-pop market. It's a big risk. With the exception of the Minogue sisters, the genre has been very unkind to local acts - as Cheyne, Joanne and Melinda Jackson can testify! Admittedly, none of them had the backing of Sony and access to the world's hottest music producers.
Speaking of hot producers, Amy's fabulously titled comeback single is apparently the handiwork of Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins but it sure doesn't sound like it to me. "Butterfingers" is a pure pop explosion - complete with dubious lyrics, slick dance beats and catchy chorus. This could also be the best song about arse play since "Pull Up To The Bumper"! It takes a couple of listens to overcome visions of Amy covered in Wet Stuff but "Butterfingers" has completely won me over. The video (below) is a bit of trainwreck but I'm completely mesmerised. I can't believe someone thought it was a good idea to film it in a parking station but Amy's incredibly awkward dance moves and questionable outfits make it truly memorable! I've also been lucky enough to hear the diva's forthcoming album and I'm really impressed - particularly by the DNA penned "Ten Steps", which has radio hit written all over it. I never thought I'd say it but Amy Pearson could be the new face of Australian pop!
One of the few local pop acts to make any kind of impact on the Australian Singles Chart of late is Amy Pearson, who debuts this week at number 28 with her first single "Don't Miss You". I say "local" because Amy is signed to the Australian arm of Sony and has lived in the country for the past 4 years but she originally hails from the exotic town of Birmingham. The story behind Amy's immigration is really quite amusing. Amy's website proudly boasts that she was discovered by Take That's Gary Barlow, who was "impressed with her natural talent" and anticipated "a huge music career for her". I guess that's why no one in England was interested and she was shipped off to the pop music abyss that is Australia. However, it seems that Gary might have the last laugh because "Don't Miss You" is turning into quite a hit.
I'm not particularly overwhelmed with "Don't Miss You" but I understand its warm reception. The song is pleasant enough and stays firmly within the bounds of the pop/rock genre that currently dominates the charts. Amy reminds me somewhat of Kelly Clarkson - only Amy's not obese and her music isn't totally shit. Perhaps, Stacie Orrico would be a more flattering and appropriate comparison. The remixed version of "Don't Miss You" is only slightly different from the radio edit but has a distinct pop edge. It's taken a few listens but I'm rather taken with it now. I'll be interested to see which direction her upcoming album takes - if she's willing to embrace pop or would rather wallow in middle of the road rubbish like her mentor and his shit band of aging fuckwits.
Amy's single is available from Sanity, Chaos and iTunes. Check out Amy's Myspace for more information.
Zoë Badwi's "Freefallin'" juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. The song has already been a club smash for Australia's leading dance diva and recently nudged its way into the national top 20 after a steady chart climb. I thought the Amy Pearson penned anthem might have peaked at number 16 last week but a stunning performance on Hey Hey It's Saturday has pushed "Freefallin'" into the iTunes top 10 (currently sitting pretty at #6) and landed Zoë her first Gold accreditation for sales exceeding 35,000 copies. Amazing and well deserved! Unfortunately, I was too busy getting drunk on Saturday night to catch the entire performance but a kind soul has finally uploaded it to YouTube. The former face of Sirens kicks of the show with the old dancers under the dress trick. It's not exactly new but I can't think of anyone who has pulled it off with this much verve and glamour since Kylie's Fever tour. Things then get a bit sexy with Zoë's dirty dancers and a delicious strut towards the camera. I love her outfit and she sounds great. The only thing that could have possibly made this any better is a surprise cameo from Amy doing her amazing "Butterfingers" dance routine! Australia has been put on notice.
