The Hits Reviews
allmusic - Source
Breaking the mould of the archetypal pop idol, Will Young has avoided the here today, gone tomorrow fate of many other talent contest winners, arguably thanks to a determination to distance himself from Simon Cowell as quickly as possible. The Hits, which features 12 singles from his four studio albums plus two new tracks, only emphasizes what a wise decision that was. Early post-Idol singles ...have Cowell's stamp all over them. Only the gorgeous string-soaked "You and I" hinted that Young could fulfill his initial promise if he weren't lumbered with such pure karaoke material. Fortunately, second album Friday's Child saw Young take his career into his own hands. Young continued to develop his brand of sophisticated intelligent pop for third album Keep On ... it was the maturity of piano-led love songs "All Time Love" and "Who Am I" that showed Young was an artist in his artistic and vocal prime. Fourth album Let It Go served up more of the same, but with its increasingly MOR leanings. Young is undoubtedly still one of the success stories of reality TV pop. He may be unable to match the multi-million sales of Leona Lewis or the huge tabloid profile of Girls Aloud, but based on the consistently impressive The Hits, he certainly appears to be the most in control.
Breaking the mould of the archetypal pop idol, Will Young has avoided the here today, gone tomorrow fate of many other talent contest winners, arguably thanks to a determination to distance himself from Simon Cowell as quickly as possible. The Hits, which features 12 singles from his four studio albums plus two new tracks, only emphasizes what a wise decision that was. Early post-Idol singles ...have Cowell's stamp all over them. Only the gorgeous string-soaked "You and I" hinted that Young could fulfill his initial promise if he weren't lumbered with such pure karaoke material. Fortunately, second album Friday's Child saw Young take his career into his own hands. Young continued to develop his brand of sophisticated intelligent pop for third album Keep On ... it was the maturity of piano-led love songs "All Time Love" and "Who Am I" that showed Young was an artist in his artistic and vocal prime. Fourth album Let It Go served up more of the same, but with its increasingly MOR leanings. Young is undoubtedly still one of the success stories of reality TV pop. He may be unable to match the multi-million sales of Leona Lewis or the huge tabloid profile of Girls Aloud, but based on the consistently impressive The Hits, he certainly appears to be the most in control.
musicomh - Source
Will Young has managed to carve a career out of making intelligent, sophisticated pop. The Hits may open with his first single - the insipid Westlife cover, Evergreen - but you get the feeling Young fought for it to be left out. The Hits finds Young at a crossroads. With rumours of a dance album with Groove Armada on the horizon as well as an album of Nöel Coward covers, it seems this compilation marks the end of the first chapter. Where he goes next will depend on how brave he's feeling, but Young can look back at the majority of The Hits with pride, safe in the knowledge that Pop Idol might have given him the platform, but that he carved out his niche all on his own.
Will Young has managed to carve a career out of making intelligent, sophisticated pop. The Hits may open with his first single - the insipid Westlife cover, Evergreen - but you get the feeling Young fought for it to be left out. The Hits finds Young at a crossroads. With rumours of a dance album with Groove Armada on the horizon as well as an album of Nöel Coward covers, it seems this compilation marks the end of the first chapter. Where he goes next will depend on how brave he's feeling, but Young can look back at the majority of The Hits with pride, safe in the knowledge that Pop Idol might have given him the platform, but that he carved out his niche all on his own.
Digital Spy - Find Source
It's been said many a time before, but that doesn't mean it's not worth saying again...hasn't the boy done well? Since winning Pop Idol seven years ago, Will Young has released four studio albums, notched up 12 top 40 hits and never had to call anyone from Dancing On Ice, Hell's Kitchen or Celebrity Cash In The Attic back. Now he's receiving the popstar equivalent of the Sterling Service badge - his own 'Best Of' comp. 'Hopes And Fears', the obligatory trailer single, offers ample evidence why he's made it this far. Sounding like a great lost track from Annie Lennox's Diva album, it's a lushly-produced mid-tempo pop song with lyrics about a relationship that's hitting the skids. Young sings with his usual winning warmth. As with many recent Will singles, the words that best describe it – classy, adult, sophisticated – could also be used in an advert for a high-end sex shop, but since when has that been a bad thing?
It's been said many a time before, but that doesn't mean it's not worth saying again...hasn't the boy done well? Since winning Pop Idol seven years ago, Will Young has released four studio albums, notched up 12 top 40 hits and never had to call anyone from Dancing On Ice, Hell's Kitchen or Celebrity Cash In The Attic back. Now he's receiving the popstar equivalent of the Sterling Service badge - his own 'Best Of' comp. 'Hopes And Fears', the obligatory trailer single, offers ample evidence why he's made it this far. Sounding like a great lost track from Annie Lennox's Diva album, it's a lushly-produced mid-tempo pop song with lyrics about a relationship that's hitting the skids. Young sings with his usual winning warmth. As with many recent Will singles, the words that best describe it – classy, adult, sophisticated – could also be used in an advert for a high-end sex shop, but since when has that been a bad thing?
Music Muso - Source
The only British male artist of the 2000’s to have four consecutive platinum albums, Will Young’s first compilation ‘The Hits’ is a celebration of his extraordinary career so far. Containing singles from his four studio albums – From Now On (2002), Friday’s Child (2003), Keep On (2005), and Let It Go (2008) The Hits will also feature two exclusive bonus tracks. Ever since his debut single "Evergreen" became the fastest selling debut of all time, Will Young has been redefining the parameters of pop stardom. From "Leave Right Now" and its groundbreaking one-take video, the Brit award winning "Your Game", the timeless ballad "All Time Love" and 2008’s incredible airplay hit "Changes", Will Young has been responsible for a catalogue of classic pop songs, now available together on one album for the first time. Will has received an astonishing ten Brit nominations, receiving two awards, and has twice been voted the UK’s favourite artist of all time.
The only British male artist of the 2000’s to have four consecutive platinum albums, Will Young’s first compilation ‘The Hits’ is a celebration of his extraordinary career so far. Containing singles from his four studio albums – From Now On (2002), Friday’s Child (2003), Keep On (2005), and Let It Go (2008) The Hits will also feature two exclusive bonus tracks. Ever since his debut single "Evergreen" became the fastest selling debut of all time, Will Young has been redefining the parameters of pop stardom. From "Leave Right Now" and its groundbreaking one-take video, the Brit award winning "Your Game", the timeless ballad "All Time Love" and 2008’s incredible airplay hit "Changes", Will Young has been responsible for a catalogue of classic pop songs, now available together on one album for the first time. Will has received an astonishing ten Brit nominations, receiving two awards, and has twice been voted the UK’s favourite artist of all time.
Dailymusicguide - Source
TV talent show success doesn't mean critical acclaim or longevity of course, so Will Young's music career is impressive. He's arguably the best artist to come from the noughties' reality revolution. Girls Aloud have had more hits, but don't write their own songs, and while Leona Lewis maybe global, she hasn't been around long enough to judge. Despite his nine top ten hits since 2002, this seems a bit early for a retrospective. However Young has come a long way from those 'Evergreen' days and the tracks take you on an interesting journey. Listening is helped by it being in chronological order, something many Best Ofs get terribly wrong.
TV talent show success doesn't mean critical acclaim or longevity of course, so Will Young's music career is impressive. He's arguably the best artist to come from the noughties' reality revolution. Girls Aloud have had more hits, but don't write their own songs, and while Leona Lewis maybe global, she hasn't been around long enough to judge. Despite his nine top ten hits since 2002, this seems a bit early for a retrospective. However Young has come a long way from those 'Evergreen' days and the tracks take you on an interesting journey. Listening is helped by it being in chronological order, something many Best Ofs get terribly wrong.