When news surfaced that Leona Lewis had returned to the recording studio, many a media outlet assumed such sessions were for the X-Factor star’s 3rd album. However, according to fresh reports today, Lewis, 25, is prepping a re-release of her sophomore effort ‘Echo’ – which is set to hit stores ‘before Christmas’.
Full story after the jump…
According to The Mirror, Lewis’ studio sessions with Dallas Austin this week were for a deluxe edition of ‘Echo’, which will be bundled with a DVD of her recently wrapped ‘Labyrinth Tour’.
The ‘Bleeding Love’ songbird is said to be incorporating the heartache of her recent break-up with Lou Al-Chamaa, her boyfriend of 10 years. “She’s full of ideas,” says a source. She’s got a new lease of life in songwriting. She’s putting her heartbreak into her music.”
Meanwhile, Lewis’ label head Simon Cowell has reportedly laid down a deadline for her third studio next album. Cowell is believed to want to new LP in stores by next summer – so as to sync the project’s promotional with the Stateside debut of the X-Factor next Autumn.
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‘Why?’ is the first thing that came to mind upon hearing news of an ‘Echo’ re-release. For, while’s there’s no denying Leona’s talent (she could sing circles around her idol Mariah Carey LIVE these days – yes I said it!), ‘Echo’ was audio doo-doo if I’ve ever heard it. And as we all know; you can polish doo-doo as much as you want, but it’ll still look like, smell like, and ultimately be…doo-doo.
Ms. Lewis would be better off putting her everything into that all-important 3rd album, as well as cultivating an image which will ensure her longevity – as bad material and poor sales are not her only problems at present. Indeed, the vast majority of folk still find her as entertaining as drying paint. Here’s hoping her fortunes change for the better this go round…