Andrea Faustini – Kelly

In most competitions, coming third place will earn someone a spot on the podium, recognition or even a bronze medal. For Andrea Faustini – who came third in last year’s X-Factor – it has thrust him onto the musical map with what made him such a people’s favourite on the talent show: his passionate blend of soul and joy.

His debut album, Kelly, seems to only show the tip of the iceberg in terms of the extensive vocal talents this Italian man possesses. The album length in total is a mere 35 minutes long, containing a brief-yet-eclectic ten songs, some of which do feel as though they are an attempt to appeal more to the masses rather than dare to be outrageously original or unique. Others, however, do achieve a signature sound of their own, such as the lead single Give a Little Love, which is actually very well done, with an almost gospel sound that compliments Faustini’s vivacious vocals in an exciting way.

Lascia Tutto Cosi is performed in Andrea’s native Italian, and it’s clear that this is where he feels most comfortable – the result is a sensational ballad that transcends languages. What Would Dusty Do is a wink towards another genre, with Faustini’s passion ripping through its bluesy beats. Songs like The River and Back to the Sea will most appeal to his existing fan base who fell in love with his big smile and voice on the talent show.

In essence, the album feels as though Andrea is just finding his feet, searching for his sound through his exploration of genre and range, and in doing so, he leaves the listener wanting more; he certainly teases with the promise that he will go on to be more bold and more brilliant. And surely more will come after this debut, as it’s easy to see that Kelly is the result of an amazing talent colliding with big ambitions. 

Sean Robinson

Kelly was released on 17^th July 2015, for further information or to order the album visit here. 

Watch the video for Give a Little Love here: