By : SHARMILA BILLOT

Irish band Westlife continues its run of success with its latest album. SHARMILA BILLOT discovers that they have evolved over the years to be even better.

THE four Irish lads of Westlife are back stronger than ever with their ninth album called Back Home with the offerings’ first single Home from a cover of the Michael Buble song.

The group comprising Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne has been around for almost a decade now, but it is not showing any signs of losing its passion or love for pop music.

After 14 No 1 hits, 36 million albums sold worldwide and stacks of awards, Filan speaks of the group’s success and their latest album released this month.

“The album has nine new Westlife songs with our trademark upbeat tempo we used when we were in our teens,” said Filan in a telephone interview from the United Kingdom recently.

“There are some songs different from our usual style, but overall fans will recognise the Westlife stamp.”

While the album retains examples of Westlife’s signature ballads such as I’m Already There and You Must Have Had a Broken Heart, the boys also use the album as a vehicle to explore new territory.

The Easy Way is an upbeat, uplifting infectious anthem, while subtle, electronic influences are played on Pictures in My Head. When I’m with You sees the boys go into a slow jam. The album also includes the melodious, yet tranquil single Home.

“We have evolved in the past 10 years and so has our music. Our music is said to have changed for the better. Our ballads, which are mostly love songs, journal what we’ve gone through all these years.

“We also have new songwriters and producers who get to know us so that the lyrics reflect who we are.

“We have all grown up and matured. Some of us have married, some of us have kids and one of our members, Brian McFadden, left the group in 2004. But one thing remains the same - our love for music and singing.

Westlife has always been seen as the typical boy band, but Filan insists the group is a typical and unlike other boy bands.

“Mark is exceptional in his vocals. Most boy bands don’t have one strong vocalist who stands out,” he said.

It was Simon Cowell of American Idol fame who suggested they release their latest single Home, which is a cover version of the recent Buble hit.

“At first we were against the idea. It turned out our version is completely different and rather good too, so we decided to record it!”

The group shocked fans when they revealed they will be taking a one year break after their tour at the beginning of next year. “Don’t worry, we are not splitting up,” he assured me.

“We need a rest and time to attend to other things before working on our next album,” he said.

Westlife became a cultural phenomenon after they started their band. Today, they’re still at the top of their game and continue to astound their fans.

Their album, The Love Album, was the biggest selling album last year with sales of one million copies.

The group is scheduled to tour the UK in February and perform in Asia some time in May.

Credit/Source: www.nst.com.my

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