Someone on Leona’s promo team sent me a copy of Leona’s new single, Run. Hell, they sent me a copy of the Spirit deluxe edition, which I really must get round to reviewing and which also contains a copy of Run. 

And stalwart fans of the music blog will already know that I’m a massive fan of Leona. I’ll try to avoid GRS (gushing review syndrome) as much as possible though.

Actually, I do have one reservation about this version. I’ve sat down and listened to the Snow Patrol version, and I’ve listened to the BBC Live Lounge version. My bone of contention with this version is how overblown the whole production is. It starts off nice and subtle, but by the end, there are children’s choirs, massive orchestra, and I distinctly heard the clank of a kitchen sink.

Still, in the midst of it all is Leona’s beautiful voice. She manages to swing between whispering, delicate vocals in the intro to powerful during the climax of the song. And she does it effortlessly.

Simon would remind us that she’s Britain’s hottest vocal talent right now, and for once he wouldn’t be blowing smoke up our asses. Run is a timely reminder that Leona is the X Factor contestant to beat, even two years later.

As a showcase for her voice, Run is brilliant. I’d have liked to see Forgive Me get a little more chart action before being superseded by yet another power ballad. If they’d perhaps made the production a little more stripped down, it wouldn’t have my cynical senses tingling right now.

Anyway, I’m off to take my GRS tablet. I think it’s starting to wear off.