Alexis Jordan – ‘Happiness’
On the whole, US talent shows tend to produce better talent than their UK counterparts. They also have their fair share of failed acts (where have Clay Aitken and Rubben Studdard gone?), but apart from Leona, Shayne, SuBo, and Alexandra (maybe Joe and Olly, but it’s too early to call), who else is there? The US is miles ahead, with people like Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks, and especially Carrie Underwood. Now, they have Alexis Jordan, a singer from the first season of America’s Got Talent, who releases her debut single in the UK in a few weeks’ time.
In season one of AGT, Alexis only made it to the semi-finals, and even chosen as a Wild Card by Brandy, did not make it any further. However, she impressed with her cover versions of Whitney Houston and Etta James on the show. She uploaded a number of her own homemade covers to youtube (check out the Cheryl Cole cover below), and was signed by Jay-Z’s Star Roc label after amassing millions of views.
So what’s ‘Happiness’ like? Well, it’s a better single than most pop-duff in the charts. It’s the kind of song you’d expect Leona Lewis to put out – which isn’t a complaint. Much better than Alexandra’s current tripe, it’s nothing groundbreaking, but is quite catchy and the slick production really helps it rise above the rest of the charts.
The song was number 1 in the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart, and there’s currently a remix EP out in the US. The Wideboys remix is really great, and I’d expect that one to be played in clubs over here if (and when) Alexis makes it into the good end of the singles charts.
‘Happiness’ is released on October 17th in the UK, and October 14th in Ireland.
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Here’s Alexis covering Cheryl Cole’s ‘Fight For This Love’:
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