Miss Glass

Glassheart (2012) – Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis became an overnight sensation after she became the winner of the UK version of X Factor in 2006 and the release of her international smash “Bleeding Love” and it’s parent album “Spirit”. After suffering the difficult second album syndrome that was “Echo” which was met with disappointing sales and heavily criticised for being too similar to her debut, expectations were high with the announcement of her third album “Glassheart”.

Original lead single of this third album was “Collide” which was released last September was met with mixed reaction, whilst some complimented on the change in directions, most criticized her for jumping onto an already oversaturated dance bandwagon. A controversial sampling ending up in court settlement with Avicii and a #4 debut later, it was announced that “Glassheart” was delayed by almost a year. Whilst Lewis tried to appease fans with a covers EP entitled “Hurt” last Christmas, the silence from disappointed fans was deafening.

Fast forward to October this year and “Glassheart” finally surfaces in the UK and selected countries falling well short of a worldwide release. New lead single and album opener “Trouble” is a strings and piano driven mid-tempo ballad with trip hop influences, not completely uncharted territory but a poignant Lewis ballad with a new twist, sets the tone nicely for the album. “Un Love Me”, “Lovebird” and “Fireflies” are all strong potential singles that sits nicely amongst the rest of her singles catalogue.

“Come Alive” and “Glassheart” are the two distinct dance tracks with the omission of “Collide” from the album tracklist. “Shake You Up” is a mid-tempo and heavily 80’s synth influenced track met with mixed results.  “I To You”, “Favourite Scar” and “When It Hurts” are all typical Lewis ballads with a bit more punch and tempo, and all deals with a broken heart.

Album closer “Fingerprints” is the slowest ballad on the album, with just Lewis and a piano; simple, haunting and beautiful all at once, arguably more sombre than “Fireflies”, the piano driven track about suicide.

The bonus disc contains 3 acoustic versions of album tracks, “Colourblind” which was previously featured on the “Hurt EP” and one new track “Sugar” which is also a ballad. “Collide” closes the disc in it’s Afrojack Remix form so those expecting the original version would also be in for a disappointment.

“Glassheart” was touted and at one time marketed as a more progressive, timeless, up tempo and darker album. Lewis did turn up the tempo a few notches on a couple of tracks, the mood is darker, possibly heavily influenced by her break up from her childhood sweetheart. Lewis does have a few tracks that mirrors “Bleeding Love” on the album, but all falling well short. The change in direction isn’t significant enough to open her up to a new market of fans, however, there’s enough consistency to tide her existing fan base over until the next release.  

CD 1 
01. Trouble 
02. Un Love Me 
03. Lovebird 
04. Come Alive 
05. Fireflies 
06. I To You 
07. Shake You Up 
08. Stop The Clocks 
09. Favourite Scar 
10. When It Hurts 
11. Glassheart 
12. Fingerprint 

CD 2 
01. Trouble (Acoustic) 
02. Come Alive (Acoustic) 
03. Glassheart (Acoustic) 
04. Colorblind 
05. Sugar 
06. Collide (Afrojack Remix)