Looking at X Factor alumni Union J, one would be forgiven to mistake them for worldwide sensation One Direction, and if you were to head to one of their concerts you would no doubt be forced to endure an hour long crowd of screaming teenage girls.
Originally called Triple J, the boys were brought together by the X Factor as Union J with the addition of George Shelley.
Having come off their hit debut single ‘Carry You’, the lads are back with their first album simply called ‘Union J’, a fitting name as it is an album desperately trying to give them an identity within the music industry.
The album kicks off with the previously mentioned single ‘Carry You’ which is a solid pop song which easily appeals to the bands target audience. The album continues on from this with a strong mix of straight up pop songs. The stand out songs being ‘Where Are you Now’, a break up song about wondering where your ex-love has ended up now, and ‘Last Goodbye’, a heartfelt song with perfect ups and downs were the boys are asking a love interest to “save the last goodbye for me”.
‘Beautiful Life’ is the next single to be released from ‘Union J’, an uplifting power ballad about going through tough times and coming out the other side. This song carries a great message telling people that everybody is beautiful in their own way and to embrace your differences and flaws. ‘Beautiful Life’ is set to be released on 20th October and is sure to be a chart hit for the boys.
The album finishes on a cover of the worldwide smash hit single by Demi Lovato, ‘Skyscraper’. Although this cover cannot be compared vocally to the original it holds its own and is a solid cover that would have served the boy band well on the X Factor live shows.
Overall Union J’s self titled debut album is a solid pop album and is sure to please fans the boys have gathered from their time on the X Factor, however the album falls on the side of being a bit too safe and not having enough edge to differentiate themselves from other boy bands like The Wanted or One Direction.
Stand out tracks: Last Goodbye, Carry You, Where Are you Now
Catch the boys on tour at the following dates:
December 2013
Saturday 14 – Oxford New Theatre
Sunday 15 – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Monday 16 – Sheffield City Hall
Wednesday 18 – Plymouth Pavilions
Thursday 19 – Brighton Centre
Saturday 21 – O2 Apollo Manchester
Sunday 22 – Bournemouth BIC
Monday 23 – Hammersmith Apollo (Matinee)
Monday 23 – Hammersmith Apollo
Saturday 28 – Newcastle City Hall
Sunday 29 – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Monday 30 – O2 Apollo Manchester
January 2014
Friday 3 – Ipswich Regent
Sunday 5 – Bristol Colston Hall
Monday 6 – EchoTwo at Echo Arena Liverpool
Tuesday 7 – Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
Thursday 9 – Blackpool Opera House
Friday 10 – Birmingham NIA
Check out the video for ‘Carry You’ below:
Union J – Carry You on MUZU.TV.
Enjoy this article? Then why not sign up to Fortitude Magazine’s Weekly Round Up! Our pick of the week’s best news, reviews, videos and music straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up today!