Hurt: The EP

Hurt: The EP is the first EP released by British pop singer Leona Lewis. It is composed of three covers of songs originally by Nine Inch Nails, Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows.^[1]

Background and production

In summer 2011, Lewis announced that her third studio album would be released later that year. However, upon meeting and working with producer Fraser T. Smith Lewis decided that she wanted to write and produce more songs and thus delayed the release of Glassheart until early 2012. Thus, in order to tide over fans until the release Lewis covered three songs and released them as an EP for fans.^[2]

Critical Reception

Digital Spy reviewed the EP as said: "The 'Hurt' EP is built up of three classic rock tracks that have undergone the Leona treatment; something that will no doubt cause despair among music purists. As regards to the title track, the Nine Inch Nails version speaks frankly and poignantly about heroin addiction, while Johnny Cash's cover resonates with a dying man reflecting over his lifetime. It all sounds rather heavy for an X Factor alumnus, but Leona's emotive tones and spine-chilling falsetto adds a compelling beauty to the song that only adds to its haunting quality. Her rendition of The Goo Goo Dolls' 'Iris' is the surprise highlight. "And I don't want the world to see me/ 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand," she quivers over a sprinkling of piano before launching into the chorus with the power and elegance of a swan; while a symphony of strings glides beneath her cover of Counting Crows' 'Colorblind'. The result is a gentle reminder of Leona's unquestionable vocal talent ahead of her next collection - and with the EP fulfilling Simon Cowell's penchant for cover songs, our fingers are crossed for some stellar original material in the New Year."^[3]

Promotion

Leona performed the song Hurt live on The X Factor's eighth series at Wembley Arena and also at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance .

Track listing

Charts

Release history

References