Blake Lewis - Your Touch

Blake was the runnerup on American Idol during the season in which Jordin Sparks won. He went on to release one album, Audio Daydream on the label he was signed to after AI, and then he released the critically acclaimed Heartbreak On Vinyl on Dance/Electronic label Tommy Boy Records which spawned several Club Play hits. He is now signed to Republic Records. His 3rd album Portrait Of A Chameleon is due out later this year. The lead single is Dubstep-influenced Pop song in the same vein as Justin Bieber's "As Long As You Love Me", though this is far catchier and Blake is a much better singer. This has the potential to be as massive as that and help him to finally make a breakthrough.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Blake Lewis - Heartbreak On Vinyl

The title track is the second single off of his second album. On this semi-melancholy uptempo, Blake sings about a lost love and a record store. The song has a somewhat strong 80's feel which is so appropriate. Lyrically it's very catchy. Vocally, Blake sounds really great. This one has remixes as well by Bimbo Jones, LA Riots, and Chew Fu. Bimbo Jones goes in a familiar direction, but maintains enough of the 80's feel. The LA Riots mix is a bit on the electro side. Chew Fu goes in a similar direction, but it's closer to the original. It's one of his most mainstream sounding mixes so far.


Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Blake Lewis - Sad Song

After the lukewarm response and reception to his debut Audio Day Dream nearly two years back, the former American Idol runner-up is back with a second album on a new label (Tommy Boy Entertainment). He collaborated with Finnish artist Darude for a cover of the Flock Of Seagulls hit "I Ran So Faraway" and one other song last year which got a warm reception on the Dance radio format.

However, "Sad Song" is not a step in the right direction. It is a tepid choice for a first single. It lacks that extra something that would take ahold of a listener. At best, it is a filler track. Here's to hoping the album will have some more single-worthy tracks.

Buy it here (iTunes)

Grade: C

Darude featuring Blake Lewis - I Ran (So Far Away)

Yes. This is a cover of the A Flock Of Seagulls classic from the 80's. Finnish producer/remixer Darude known for the hits "Sandstorm" and "Feel The Beat" has teamed up with American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis on this cover. Blake Lewis was recently dropped by his label after his album Audio Day Dream failed to connect with the public. Singles "Break Anotha" and "How Many Words" didn't do that well either. It was pretty obvious that Blake would find greater success doing Dance/Electronic music. This is his second such song with Darude. They did this year's Dance4Life song as well. Overall, this cover is fairly well-done. There have been a few remakes over the years, however, none have really measured up to the original. The main single version doesn't pack the punch that the original does, but perhaps some of the upcoming remixes will make up for that. The digital single will be released on November 4.

Grade: B+