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I don’t know how to approach a Gareth Gates review, I honestly don’t.

On one hand, he seems to be a fairly nice guy. Like those other reality pop icons Hear’say, Gareth has experienced the aftermath of reality TV popularity drying up virtually overnight. So why the return?

Maybe the timing is right. He’s been out of the public eye for a few years and according to interviews he’s had a chance to review his career. He seems to be more in control, having written his latest single along with some talented collaborators.

Gareth’s aware that “some people might just hear my name and throw the CD out of the nearest window, but I hope they give it a chance and judge it on hearing it, not on pre-conceptions.”

So in fairness, Changes is a complete departure from the Gareth Gates of 2003. Naturally, it’s much more mature. There’s less cheese about his performance, and I’m guessing he’s not aiming for his previous Saturday morning kid’s TV audience here.

On the downside, there’s no real hook to Changes, which makes it a little dull. Also, despite his best intentions, there’ll be a ton of people lining up to take pot shots at the resurgent pop idol. With his background in reality TV, Gareth is on the back foot already and has a lot to lose. A stronger single would have silenced the critics and regenerated interest, but this isn’t it.