Alesha Dixon - 'Breathe Slow'
Before I talk about the song, let me start off by clarifying something: Alesha Dixon is officially the nicest pop star in the whole entire world, ever. We're not talking Nice biscuits nice (because everyone knows they're decidedly average), we're talking the sort of nice that makes boys want to marry her and girls want to be BFF with her. I've had the pleasure of sharing a cake with her (well... we had one each, at opposite sides of the room) and of asking her to tell me her favourite joke (it's "why is six scared of seven? Because seven ate nine"), so I am most definitely a Very Reliable Source.
So, now you know how lovely she is, I don't feel bad about telling you just how utterly terrible her new single is.
Okay, 'terrible' is a harsh word, but my point is I really, really want to like this song as much as I like Alesha... and I just can't.
Now, I LOVED Alesha's last single 'The Boy Does Nothing'. It was fun, it was quirky and it was a real dancefloor filler (or bedroom floor, depending on where you choose to showcase your moves); which is why I'm not angry with her latest single... I'm just very, very disappointed.
'Breathe Slow' is, unlike Alesha, the Nice biscuit of pop; it lacks in imagination, is instantly forgettable and disappears when dunked into a cup of tea (oh no, wait, that's just the biscuit). The most exciting part of this song is the build to the chorus which sounds a bit like its going to go into Akon's 'I Wanna Make Love'. It doesn't. But if it did, it would probably be a better song (although some might call that plagiarising).
Having said that, while the verses are full of empty promise that something bigger is still to come from the song, the chorus is pretty catchy and Alesha's sugary, sweet vocals could become somewhat addictive (a bit like a good biccie).
The video is gorgeous too (it complements the honesty of the lyrics and who would've though she could dance? *cough*), plus you can't deny that it's been slickly produced (by the guys who've produced and written for Usher, JoJo and Whitney, don't you know). These things pale in significance though, to the fact that the song as a whole is really kinda dull and almost certainly would have been better left as an album track.
So, next time we hear Alesha's single on the radio, let's resolve not to settle for the biscuit tin leftovers, when we all know that she's capable of top (Bourbon) quality.
Download: Out now
CD Released: February 9th
(Vicki Lutas)
P.S. Yes, Bourbons are the best of all the biscuits.
P.P.S. Not everyone agrees with me - love it and made it their Song of the Day.
Comment number 1.
At 6th Feb 2009, katieloum wrote:Angry Ape love it and Popjustice made it their Song of the Day?
Sorry, but its just so...blah!
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Comment number 2.
At 6th Feb 2009, hackerjack wrote:'Terrible' is not a harsh word, it is a very apt word.
This is simply early 1990's boy/girl band/solo artist album filler rubbish. Anyone who remembers 3T, Nick Carter or any of the other 'artists' of that type and era will know what I mean.
She is a very average singer at best who benefitted from a fantastic song last time out but is nothing more.
Let's be honest, she failed first time as a singer because she just wasn't that good and she hasn't improved a lot since.
Nice girl she might be but long term singer she ain't.
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Comment number 3.
At 8th Feb 2009, Daniel wrote:"A lady should never lose composure"
What kinda lyric is that?!
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Feb 2009, hackerjack wrote:removed for saying nothing worse than in the article itself? hmmm.
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Comment number 5.
At 10th Feb 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Sorry Hackers, the mods didn't like one of the words. I've changed it now.
You meant 'rubbish' anyway, didn't you? ;-)
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Comment number 6.
At 10th Feb 2009, HazelChartblog wrote:blimey, i'm surprised people are so down on this; i think it's really lovely. it's got a bit of a timbaland-esque feel with the synths and alesha sounds genuinely fragile.
she looks hot as flip in the 'dance studio' bits of the video, too.
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Feb 2009, chanelle_lvz_martin wrote:this song is amazing!!!!! i dont no how u can say otherwise!! i love it its my fave at min! xx
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Comment number 8.
At 14th Feb 2009, softchews01 wrote:She went chavy (yeah, it ain't a word. What're you gonna do?) on us! How could she. She had integrity, passion and a helluva good dancebut suddenly she has sung a song for all the people in tracksuits who aren't running (or are running but generally away). Go back to what you're good at.
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Comment number 9.
At 16th Feb 2009, hackerjack wrote:You meant 'rubbish' anyway, didn't you? ;-)
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Something to that effect yes :o)
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Comment number 10.
At 15th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:THIS is a song that i feel will appeal to many.... I am predicting top 5 !!!
LETS SEE ! xxxx
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