Single Review: Olly Murs – ‘Up’ (feat. Demi Lovato)
2 min read
Olly loves to hang around doesn’t he? There seems to be no getting rid of the ex-talent show runner up, and this just goes to show that a likeable nature and ease in front of the camera is just as important as a singing talent in the pop world. New single Up, which brings in the vocal talents of American pop heavy-weight Demi Lovato, shows the record company still feel Olly has the popularity to bring in the big numbers, but have this duet combined to make a listenable whole?
For starters, their voices really work together. This is a bonus as sometimes when two artists are thrown together it just doesn’t work – Jack White and Alicia Keyes on that Bond theme springs to mind (although separately they are both awesome mind you). A thumping bass drum holds the rhythm throughout the track in a simple build up that’s effective, if not original. Lovato chirps up in the chorus and then throughout, with Olly playing his cheeky chappy self, and the stars intertwining vocals and raising the track up a notch.
At the end of the day this is pop by numbers. Lovato has brilliant control and foresight of her own voice at the young age of just 22 and it would have been good to see her let rip, but this type of song just doesn’t let her do that. Although it may lack in originality its still a bit of fun against the myriad of Christmas themed releases which are clogging up the charts at the moment, actually making the track stand out a little. Sounding more Take That than Take That are these days, it has a charm that would really have come to the forefront with another decent hook or two. Not bad, but not amazing. The Olly train chugs on, but let’s hope he gets back to his best with future efforts.
