Louder
Columbia/Sony Music
She was born in the Bronx, but Lea Michelle became a staple on the stages of Broadway before earning her breakout role as Rachel Berry on Glee. The stage and screen actor has featured on the constant stream of Glee soundtracks that have flooded the market over the past few years and is now branching out on her own on this debut LP, Louder.
Known for having a strong voice during her TV role, the challenge for Michele is transferring this into the world of a full blown pop diva. The first single from the album, Cannonball, was co-written with Sia, yet lacks some of her usual chorus power.
The album ends with If You Say So which was written by Michele immediately after her former co-star and boyfriend, Cory Monteith, succumbed to a mix of alcohol and heroin. For a song that should be dripping with passion and heartache it is surprisingly flaccid.
Michele is said to be hell-bent on putting a year of turmoil behind her and showing the world she has kept a positive frame of mind and some strength to work through adversity. She may need every last ounce of that resolve to combat the universal disdain that Louder deserves.
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
