Well this is promising. Since they started using Will Young’s song “Leave Right Now” as the contestant exit song on American Idol, I guess U.S. interest has been peaked. I don’t think this is a bad thing in the slightest…in fact…it’s about time! Our American Idols are promoted overseas! How come UK winners aren’t? Well…I suppose that’s all different now…Leona Lewis has done alright for herself stateside, and Alexandra Burke is supposedly going to be introduced to U.S. audiences at some point (although who knows when) but Will Young was the original Pop Idol in the UK, so what’s the delay? I guess his genre of music, straight up pop, isn’t such a big deal here in the States, with radio favoring urban-tinged pop music over traditional pop. Nonetheless, I’m excited that the label is giving America the chance to check him out.
Leave Right Now is an 8-track compilation of Will’s hits from his last 3 studio albums (music from his debut, From Now On, was ignored) and will be released via Jive/19 Recordings on CD May 25th. I noticed the album on iTunes back on May 4th (when it came out digitally, preceded by the single’s digital release on March 31st) and thought that was it…that it would just be a digital release to satisfy American Idol viewers who wanted to hear more from the singer (his first 3 albums are already available to download on iTunes here). Now that it’s getting a physical U.S. release, I wonder what that means for Will Young’s future in the U.S.? Hopefully something. I’m still loving his Groove Armada collaboration and hope it sees the light of day (as a single) and there’s been nothing new recently on rumors of his forthcoming dance album. Whatever Young’s deal is, I’m glad that 19 Recordings is shining the spotlight on him here in America. I’ll say it again…it’s about time! Check out Will Young performing “Leave Right Now” on the May 25th finale of American Idol.
Check out the video for “Leave Right Now,” which is also available to download on Will’s U.S. iTunes store.
Track Listing: