Will Young was first discovered after appearing on ITV’s music talent show, Pop Idol, in 2002(2001?), where he came up head-to-head with the red-hot favourite Gareth Gates. Both performed versions of ‘Evergreen’, which the lucky winner would have released as their debut single. Surprisingly, Will won, and one newspaper did a mock story of how his life would pan out. They said he would have many children with Katie Price…well, he came out as gay not long after winning the show to squash any chance of a rumour circulating. In 2016, he performed at Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, where I happened to be, but Keano and I decided to explore other stages and food stalls before returning to the main stage, so I have yet to see him live in person. Will has had a more successful career than anyone off of those talent shows from these shores. Not only does Will perform his own songs, but he has written for others. Indeed, Will disappeared from the limelight for four years but still worked away in the background writing for others.

So, the premise for this latest album was to cover well-known songs but make them more radio-friendly. I am saying something other than the majority already are not, but Will, as proven on the record, would do precisely that. 

Another unique twist on doing the covers is that every song is by a female artist or a band fronted by a female. This is a nice touch by Will when you consider only 19 per cent of females featured in the UK album charts last year. His songs are the artists/bands’ most popular and highest charted. However, the songs still needed to reach the acme of their respective singles charts. Can Will Young’s versions glean a top spot? Possibly.

I loved the opening track because I was a big fan of the song by Bat for Lashes called ‘Daniel’. I didn’t know that the album was full of covers, so the opening track took me by surprise, but I loved his gentler version of ‘Daniel’ with its acoustic guitar and soft vocals—nothing like Natasha Khan’s more indie-based original. The next track I will praise is ‘Losing You’, originally by Solange Knowles, the sister of the infamous former Destiny’s Child member and now successful solo artist Beyoncé. I have always preferred Solange and feel she is often overlooked due to her sibling. 

Will’s is more mellow and departs from the original R&B version. The final track singled out for praise is ‘Strong’. Again, Will brings originality to his version and is more piano-based than London Grammar’s. Of course, there are 13 other covers on the record, with an Annie Lennox-esque touch on MUNA’s, ‘Crying on the Bathroom Floor’, and a harmonic and piano hook to Everything but the Girl’s, ‘Missing’. These are, for the main, the standout tracks on the album.

This record was beautiful when I had to endure Billie Eilish’s lack of imagination album last week. Will has done justice to the original versions. Some might say he has bettered them, but that’s going a bit too far because the originals have stood the test of time and are anthems in their own right. Will’s versions are far more reflective and emotional, and as I said, it was wonderful to listen to this album. And Will deserves all the plaudits coming his way for it.

Song recommendations: ‘Daniel’, ‘Losing You’, ‘Strong’

9/10