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Is Will Young showing a decline in popularity?


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Old 11-04-2015, 14:33
blueface2222
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I'm a MASSIVE Will Young fan and have been for 13 years now. So this post is in no way a diss.

I'm just not feeling it at the moment....

The new single is good but it's not amazing...i don't feel the buzz i felt with all his other lead singles. I would have preferred a different lead single. When Jealousy came out there was a real buzz and excitement and it was everywhere basically. Became a big hit for him.

The single is struggling to get up the charts if at all, the radio airplay isn't there either - not in the Top 40 for radio plays.

The video has mustered 60,000 views on Youtube in over 2 weeks and on Spotify just less than 20,000 despite a social media push. Now i know he isn't actively promoting it anywhere but i just don't feel the same buzz? The video is abit out there also - not really in keep with today's market either..

Did he leave it too long??. The last album came out in 2011. Is nearly 4 years too much of a break? Other artists who have taken such a long break have lost their place in the market. How can he compete with Sam Smith, George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini and co...

He still has his loyal fans and the interest is in some way there but i just think maybe his campaign is a little rush and ill-thought out.. Sony BMG never messed up for me.. I am abit concerned Universal don't know what to do with him.... Is a britains got Talent performance possible that would be good to get some promo out there and this second single may be a shot to get some exposure for the album but hmm... I know he's more of a album's artist now than singles but anyone feel the same? IMO Will should have released this album later on in the year in Q4. Sales are so low now even with a high charting he'll muster up little sales. Abit concerned the album won't even muster up 100k sales with albums only selling about 20k at the moment.
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Old 11-04-2015, 15:48
djfunnyman
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Too much competition now. Will Young has done well to remain popular for so long but the market is now crowded, especially considering how long ago Jealousy was people will have forgotten him
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Old 11-04-2015, 16:49
little-monster
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You tube hits isn't really vital to one's career. It's great to have, but it's hardy telling of whether someone is declining.

I haven't seen much promotion yet, and it has been four years since his last album. Give it time. Your conclusions are all based on nothing but how YOU personally feel. Not what the general word or feeling is as a whole.
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Old 11-04-2015, 17:47
blueface2222
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^^ Well both to be honest. I'm not feeling it but also the Youtube hits, Spotify and Radio airplay is quite low to be honest. The pre-order went up yesterday due to fans but has shot down to No.1000 and 400 on iTunes.

I support Will fully. I buy his CDs since 2002. I am a major fan...so this is not a diss at all.
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Old 11-04-2015, 17:50
Neil_N
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I'm 100% behind Will, and I do like the single even if it isnt the strongest lead from his album. However, I think the album will be a popular seller.

The problem with the singles chart nowadays is, streaming has geared it and biased towards popular acts and media-friendly ones.
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Old 11-04-2015, 17:51
Mr. Chips
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A lot of the fans were in love with the electro sound of his last album, so when he released what's quite a retro-feeling lead single for his latest LP ... it was quite a comedown to be honest.

I don't know why, but I don't think samples/covers should be used when you've had a 3 and a half to 4 year gap on the music scene - I want completely original material!
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Old 11-04-2015, 20:30
blueface2222
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I agree. The Echoes sound was a surprise stunning experience. It just clicked and worked. No one else was doing that sound too. I'm the same i was expecting something abit like Echoes too so it was a little disappointment. But knowing Will he likes to change it up and every album has been different and unique. I presume that will continue.

This is the Switch It on for me. Nice but nothing special. It's a perfectly good song tucked away on an album somewhere or B Side but lead single...NO.

You have got to hand it to Will though - he takes risks, doesn't think commercially and so far it has paid off. I think the second single will be key to how the album will do.
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Old 11-04-2015, 20:43
Hollie_Louise
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He has a new single out?
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Old 11-04-2015, 20:49
Hitstastic
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I was hoping Love Revolution would just be a buzz single used to get people talking about new Will Young material coming soon.

I find the echoey effect used on Will's voice in the verses really amateur as if it was recorded on a budget in someone's bedroom. Also the fact the chorus is based around Loneliness by Tomcraft surprised me, but not exactly in a good way. I'm so used to the original that hearing the chorus to Loneliness sung to a retro motown style backing misses the mark for me.

I'm also a massive Will Young fan and have loved so many of his singles over the years (I even thought Switch It On was genius at the time even though a number of people thought "wtf?" when they heard it). I have his albums too...including From Now On (hush at the back )

I'm hoping the next single will be treated like a lead single and there will be a proper promotional campaign, TV performances and music video all released before the song itself so that people can do the whole pre-order thing on iTunes to guarantee a higher chart entry.
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Old 11-04-2015, 20:59
Hitstastic
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Just looking on iTunes, if you click on 85% Proof they have given the time for two other tracks; Brave Man and Like A River.

I'm guessing these are going to be instant grat singles released before the album (which all albums seem to do these days). If that's the case then seeing how high they get on iTunes will be an indicator as to how successful the album is likely to be.

OT; a bit like when Madonna released those instant grats back in December and they occupied 4 of the iTunes top 10.
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Old 11-04-2015, 22:27
Tejas
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I'm a MASSIVE Will Young fan and have been for 13 years now. So this post is in no way a diss.

I'm just not feeling it at the moment....

Did he leave it too long??. The last album came out in 2011. Is nearly 4 years too much of a break? Other artists who have taken such a long break have lost their place in the market. How can he compete with Sam Smith, George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini and co...
Well Paolo Nutini left 5 years between his last two albums and came back strong with one of the best selling albums of last year - so that's a bit of twisted logic there. In any case, I think that Will Young has a pretty decent fanbase and will do alright whether or not he captures the wider public imagination with his new stuff. To be honest, pop music is so fickle that this is probably the best position for him to be in; I think he'll achieve decent sales and do well touring for a long time to come.
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Old 11-04-2015, 22:54
PCRose
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I can't understand why a massive fan would start such a thread to be quite honest.

It's six weeks before his album is released, for goodness sake, have some faith!!
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Old 11-04-2015, 23:38
blueface2222
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Not all fans hail the praises blindly over everything their artist does! Will's one of my fave artists actually.

I am just being realistic. I don't feel the single has really done well on anything really including Youtube/Spotify plays, iTunes, getting radio to play it etc. I'm not personally feeling the song myself either like i have with all his other lead singles bar Switch It On. I dont think it's anything special and i feel it has to be compete in the current market and from Will i expect more. The album may be brilliant (it probably will be as his albums usually are). If this is just a buzz single that's fine. But i don't think it is...
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Old 12-04-2015, 02:18
Los_Tributos
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Isn't it a fairly common pattern that talent show winners/contestants' popularity decreases with each album?
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Old 12-04-2015, 08:59
PCRose
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Not all fans hail the praises blindly over everything their artist does! Will's one of my fave artists actually.

I am just being realistic. I don't feel the single has really done well on anything really including Youtube/Spotify plays, iTunes, getting radio to play it etc. I'm not personally feeling the song myself either like i have with all his other lead singles bar Switch It On. I dont think it's anything special and i feel it has to be compete in the current market and from Will i expect more. The album may be brilliant (it probably will be as his albums usually are). If this is just a buzz single that's fine. But i don't think it is...
Blind praise is one thing, negativity another. Then I've often been surprised at how demanding and hard task masters some of his fans are. On the one hand you say maybe his album will be brilliant, but on the other you're promoting a view on a music forum that he's had his day. IMO that's just odd.
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Old 12-04-2015, 09:55
soullover
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Give him a bloody chance!

He's back after 4 years with practically ZERO promotion at present. For some strange reason he appeared from nowhere after 4 years with an immediate download and video.

Don't you think Universal will have some promotion planned? It's not yet playlisted on TV music channels or radio, so people have to see him and hear hear it before they buy into him again.

Have some faith for goodness sake.
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Old 12-04-2015, 13:34
Hitstastic
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Isn't it a fairly common pattern that talent show winners/contestants' popularity decreases with each album?
If that is true then Will Young sure bucked that trend back in 2011.

I may be wrong but I suspect Echoes managed to outsell Let It Go. Jealousy did a mighty fine job to launch the last era and build up interest along with airplay.

85% Proof still has a good chance of getting to #1 but it obviously isn't going to sell bucketloads like Friday's Child did. Hardly any albums sell that amount anymore.
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Old 12-04-2015, 15:20
Puterkid
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Will is still a popular artist with a unique voice and style. I hope he does well, but agree, it's much too early in the campaign to declare this release a hit or a miss as yet!

I think the video is inspired, given that we are in an pre election period, he comes across as such a smarmy political type, selling his version of a bright new tomorrow - brilliant!

I think he's in a good position as an 'ex reality tv star', given he has had longevity and no-one can take that away, whatever happens with this album. I also think he will always draw a decent crowd to a tour, so he will be fine.
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Old 12-04-2015, 15:28
Hitstastic
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I think he's in a good position as an 'ex reality tv star', given he has had longevity and no-one can take that away, whatever happens with this album. I also think he will always draw a decent crowd to a tour, so he will be fine.
Totally agree about the tour. Will is a natural performer and is incredibly smart with how he goes about his career.

Also re; the music video I hadn't really made that connection about looking like a smug politician promoting his product. Thinking about it, that's quite an accurate description. lol

That's settled then. On May 7th I'm voting for Will Young.
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Old 12-04-2015, 16:12
NicoleRich
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He's been on the decline for years.
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Old 12-04-2015, 18:42
Amazing
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He's been on the decline for years.
Which artist can you name that is selling more than they did 13 years ago?

Will can't hope to compete with the current crop of conveyor belt pop artists, many who won't even be heard of in even 5 years time, but I think he'll always be able to tour as many still recognise he's one of the best live singers the UK has ever produced.

I also agree it's a very strange thread for a fan to start.
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Old 12-04-2015, 21:01
starry_rune
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Every artists declines in popularity. Lady Gaga, Spice Girls, Will Young. The only artists who seem exempt from that rule are Take That and The Beatles.
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Old 12-04-2015, 21:54
PCRose
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If that is true then Will Young sure bucked that trend back in 2011.

I may be wrong but I suspect Echoes managed to outsell Let It Go. Jealousy did a mighty fine job to launch the last era and build up interest along with airplay.

85% Proof still has a good chance of getting to #1 but it obviously isn't going to sell bucketloads like Friday's Child did. Hardly any albums sell that amount anymore.
Very true. The Hits album and Echoes both outsold Let It Go. I'm looking forward to finding out updated sales for Echoes, it could be near double platinum now.
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Old 13-04-2015, 00:33
blueface2222
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I dont understand why people are confused at me starting the thread! It's not a diss topic at all. Will's outstanding in my opinion. I have followed his entire career from the day he won Pop Idol, have all his singles, albums (all versions), books, dvds, even calendars and tour programmes! You could say i was 'obsessed'. However, i just don't feel the 'spark' i normally feel with a lead single like when i first heard Leave Right Now, Changes or Jealousy. This is the 'Switch It On' for me of this era, it'll launch off the campaign until the main single comes in the All Time Love... I guess 13 years into a career you can't expect a ridiculous fan fare but i just felt a few things where a little 'amiss' with the lead single. I think he needs to start the promotion and singing it on shows...
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Old 13-04-2015, 11:14
PCRose
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I dont understand why people are confused at me starting the thread! It's not a diss topic at all. Will's outstanding in my opinion. I have followed his entire career from the day he won Pop Idol, have all his singles, albums (all versions), books, dvds, even calendars and tour programmes! You could say i was 'obsessed'. However, i just don't feel the 'spark' i normally feel with a lead single like when i first heard Leave Right Now, Changes or Jealousy. This is the 'Switch It On' for me of this era, it'll launch off the campaign until the main single comes in the All Time Love... I guess 13 years into a career you can't expect a ridiculous fan fare but i just felt a few things where a little 'amiss' with the lead single. I think he needs to start the promotion and singing it on shows...
Look at the title of the thread and there's your answer. Negative or positive?
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