Oh, it has been FAR too long! Things got pretty hectic for awhile. I had to move back to Austin for school. Then I had band. Then school started. Basically, something had to go on the back burner, and unfortunately, finding new music to contribute to society had to be what got pushed back.
BUT I'M BACK NOW!
And I have got to tell you that when I was able to find the time, I've been searching for what exactly to bring to the table and I think I've figured it out.
You see, I don't know if you pay as much attention to singing shows as I do, especially since most people are getting tired of singing shows, but I've been pretty keyed into the X Factor UK auditions and I have got to say that they have some pretty stellar talent coming through. There have been multiple auditions that have given me goosebumps and made me fall in love, and I'm just rooting for all of them to make it through. The chances of them making it through? I don't know since I'm pretty certain I'm cursed and anyone I like in a competition loses (save American Idol. I have an uncanny ability to predict the winner based on their first song during the live shows. I've guessed the past five winners this way. It's a gift). We also have to take into account that they don't show us everyone that comes in. So who knows what other talent we're missing!
But that doesn't really matter, because I do know what we've seen and I know that if at least three of these people don't make it, I will go to England and give the judges a piece of my mind.
Week 1:
Curtis Golden- This 18-year old self proclaimed nerd (or geek, because he isn't sure) was set up to be that awkward audition. You know which one I'm talking about. Where they come in and they're all awkward and it's their dream to sing and then they sing and it makes the audience cringe. It doesn't help that he dropped that bit about having a Mel B cutout... with Mel B there. But then the boy whips out the acoustic guitar and starts singing this bluegrass version of "Candyman" and... well, check it out for yourself, yeah? (Warning: Mel B makes things rather awkward near the end, and I felt so bad for the kid.)
Ella Henderson- This girl is only 16 you guys. SIXTEEN. Not only is she trying out for the X Factor, but here she is singing a song she wrote herself about her grandfather. Now most people don't perform songs they wrote themselves because, well, you can be a good singer and a terrible songwriter and then bam, you've shot yourself in the foot. Luckily, that is not the case for young Ella Henderson. The moment she started singing, my jaw dropped. Her words aren't cheesy, they're emotional and relatable and she has a voice that is so strong, at SIXTEEN. There are grown women who strive for a voice like this. Honestly, she was my first set of goosebumps for the audition round, and listening to her now, I'm getting them again. I truly believe that if they don't put her into the live shows, they'll be making a terrible mistake. Because she is brilliant.
Week 2:
Kye Sones- Firstly, I knew of Kye thanks to Sugarscape and their live tweets about the show. So I'd be lying if I said I didn't check him out because I'd been promised a cute guy. That isn't why he's on the list though. (Well, it helps because you have to have the look too, but... let's just keep going, shall we?) Also, the guy is a chimney sweep. A CHIMNEY SWEEP! I didn't even know those were real! My mind was blown! Basically, I had a lot of excitement going into his audition, especially since I knew he was going to do a mash up that included Rita Ora's R.I.P. (You lot know I love Rita, yeah?) Anyway, so when he started to sing, I fell in love. Is he the strongest? No, but he has that something about him, and DAMN did he make me smile with that audition. (He also made Rita smile. At one point I'm pretty sure she was about to jump up on that stage to get him. Which, I mean, can you blame here?)
James Arthur- James Arthur is THAT story. The rough story where music saved his life. The story where he could have either become another hoodlum on the street, or he could have made something of himself, and luckily, for him and for all of us, he chose to make something of himself. And boy am I glad he did. He was my second set of chills for the season, and watching his audition video now, I'm getting chills and it hasn't even reached the singing part yet. He did an acoustic version of Tulisa's "Young" and it blew me away. If I had to give you a reference of what he sounds like, I'd say he's like James Morrison and Ed Sheeran's love child. If THAT isn't awkward. Anyway, now I'm just rambling, you should really just go watch his audition. He is another one that I believe would be a huge mistake if they didn't bring him onto the live shows.
Week 3:
Jake Quickenden- He's a lifeguard with a slightly crazy mom. If anything, I loved him because his banter with his mom reminded me of me and my mom. (And maybe it helps that he's a lifeguard. Maybe.) But I didn't expect him to come out with a soulful rendition of "Use Somebody." Maybe the original rock version, sure. I could even see him coming out with some R&B, but not this. It was a pleasant surprise, and I would be able to listen to this audition over and over again. (I should also probably tell you that I haven't found a cover of that song that I don't like yet. So maybe I'm biased.) I completely agree with Tulisa in this one. His voice isn't perfect, but he has room to grow, and yeah. The ladies do love him :3
Joseph Whelan- Let's be real. When I saw Joseph Whelan, my very first thought was Charlie Simpson. He reminds me so much of him, so I expected the same sort of indie voice as Charlie and his solo stuff. THAT, is not what I got. What I got, was so much more. It was like someone unleashed a can of pure rock onto the X Factor stage. He is straight up 80s rockstar voice, and I looooooove it. We need more rock voices like this in music, and I think he delivers. I hope he makes it to the live shows so we can see what else he can do. (Also, the fact that he's a dad and just obviously loves his son so much made my heart melt.)
Melanie Masson- Last, but most CERTAINLY not least, is 44-year old Melanie Masson. Now, the intro to her audition may have you a little iffy. Married mother of two who runs an under five music class where she dresses up as a fairy. Yeah, I made that look first. But I promise you, you do NOT want to turn away just because of that. This woman started her audition strong, there was no lead in. She hit you with the strength of her voice, and then didn't back down. It's hard to do Janis Joplin and not only make it your own, but not be put to shame, but Melanie did it. People were giving her a standing O like, halfway through her audition. Wow, if there is any audition you take the time to watch on this page, make it this one.
Now, auditions aren't completed, so we still have time to discover some more amazing talent! I'll make sure to keep my eyes open and get them out as well, but there was no way I could keep these guys to myself. They need to be known, and they need to be known now.
So learn to love them! And if any of them make it into the live shows, then you UK readers should vote for them for me ;D
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