Olly Murs (album)
Olly Murs |
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Studio album by Olly Murs |
Released |
26 November 2010 (2010-11-26) |
Recorded |
2010 |
Genre |
Pop, reggae fusion |
Length |
47:12 |
Label |
Epic, Syco |
Producer |
Matt Prime, Future Cut, Steve Robson, Adam Argyle, Martin Brammer, Andy Green, Steve Fitzmaurice, John Shanks, Jerry Abbott, Grant Black, Paddy Byrne, The Invisible Men, Mark Taylor, Trevor Horn |
Olly Murs chronology |
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Singles from Olly Murs |
- "Please Don't Let Me Go"
Released: 27 August 2010 (2010-08-27)
- "Thinking of Me"
Released: 19 November 2010 (2010-11-19)
- "Heart on My Sleeve"
Released: 4 March 2011 (2011-03-04)[1]
- "Busy[2]"
Released: 27 May 2011 (2011-05-27)
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Olly Murs is the self-titled debut studio album from English singer-songwriter Olly Murs. It was released on 26 November 2010 in the United Kingdom.[3] The album's lead single, "Please Don't Let Me Go", was released on 27 August 2010. The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The second single from the album, "Thinking of Me", was released on 22 November 2010,[4] and debuted at number four. "Heart on My Sleeve" debuted at number twenty. The song was written by James Morrison and John Shanks, and has previously been released by Australian singer Michael Johns in 2009.
Background and production
The possibility of an album was first rumoured when Murs finished second place on the sixth series of ITV talent competition, The X Factor. In February 2010, it was announced that Murs had been signed to a 50/50 record deal between Epic Records and Syco Music.[5] Murs has collaborated with John Shanks, Eg White,[6] Roy Stride, Trevor Horn, Wayne Hector, Matty Benbrook,[7] Phil Thornalley, Martin Brammer, Samuel Preston, Mark Taylor[8] and Chris Difford[3] on the album. Professor Green was due to appear on the album, however, the duet fell through before recording was completed. "Heart on My Sleeve" is a cover of the song originally recorded by American Idol finalist Michael Johns. Murs performed "Thinking of Me" live on The X Factor on 21 November 2010.[9]
Critical reception
Professional ratings |
Review scores |
Source |
Rating |
Allmusic |
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Ruth Harrison gives the most positive review of the album, saying "Olly has actually engaged his brain, put pen to paper and written tracks that are true to himself and his sound" & "this album proves that Olly is an artist in his own right".[10] A review by Fraser McAlpine on the BBC Music website gave a heading of 'X Factor runner-up reveals a debut almost as good as his taste in hats.'[11] Hermione Hoby from The Guardian gave a negative review of Olly Murs, saying "the album chugs along with vacant cheer through a series of reggae-inflected songs that don't always make the most of Murs's soulful voice. Other than the slightly awkward stab at scat-singing on "Please Don't Let Me Go" [...] there's not much here to grab the attention."[12]
Chart performance
The album entered the UK Album Chart at number two on 5 December 2010, selling 108,000 copies in its first week.[13] The album was kept off the top spot by the third week sales of Take That's Progress which sold over 174,000 copies. In the following three weeks the album sold upwards of 100,000 in each week.[13] On 8 April 2011, the album was certified two-times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 600,000 copies in the UK.[14] As of December 2011, the album had sold 661,669 copies in the UK.[13] In Ireland, the album debuted at number eleven.[15] It has since been certified gold by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) for shipments of 7,500 copies.
Track listing
Writer(s) |
Producer(s) |
1. |
"Change Is Gonna Come" |
Olly Murs, Matt Prime, Blair Mackichan |
Matt Prime |
3:46 |
2. |
"Please Don't Let Me Go" |
Murs, Claude Kelly, Steve Robson |
Future Cut, Steve Robson |
3:24 |
3. |
"Thinking of Me" |
Murs, Robson, Wayne Hector |
Future Cut, Steve Robson |
3:26 |
4. |
"Busy" |
Murs, Adam Argyle, Martin Brammer |
Adam Argyle, Martin Brammer |
3:00 |
5. |
"I Blame Hollywood" |
Murs, Argyle, Brammer |
Adam Argyle, Martin Brammer |
3:09 |
6. |
"Ask Me to Stay" |
Murs, Chris Braide, Chris Difford |
Andy Green, Steve Fitzmaurice |
3:35 |
7. |
"Heart on My Sleeve" |
James Morrison, John Shanks |
John Shanks |
3:29 |
8. |
"Hold On" |
Murs, Julian Velard, Jerry Abbott, Grant Black, Paul Williams |
Jerry Abbott, Grant Black |
3:05 |
9. |
"Accidental" |
Murs, Paddy Byrne |
Paddy Byrne |
3:22 |
10. |
"Love Shine Down" |
Murs, Ed Sheeran, Jason Pebworth, George Astasio, Jonathan Shave, Dan Smith |
The Invisible Men |
4:07 |
11. |
"Don't Say Goodbye" |
Murs, Preston, Mark Taylor |
Mark Taylor |
3:36 |
12. |
"A Million More Years" |
Matt Schwartz, Lol Creme |
Trevor Horn |
3:36 |
13. |
"Please Don't Let Me Go" (Music Video) |
3:34 |
14. |
"Thinking of Me" (Music Video) |
3:25 |
Charts and certifications
Charts
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End of year charts
Chart (2010) |
Position |
UK Albums Chart[20] |
20 |
Certifications
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Tour
On 21 November 2010 a UK tour was announced for 2011 to promote the album.[22]
Release history
Region |
Date |
Format |
United Kingdom[16] |
29 November 2010 |
Digital download, CD |
References
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Studio albums |
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Singles |
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Featured singles |
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Related articles |
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