Description

With 35 Million records sold worldwide, 7 Million in the UK alone, 12 UK Number 1s–Westlife are back with their smash single “You Raise Me Up” and the follow-up second single with the legendary Diana Ross. Relaxed, refreshed and bursting with energy, Westlife, the quiet superstars of the mainstream UK music scene, bounce back with their new albumFace To Face. Its a world that they have dominated for seven years and the album features all the hallmarks of that reign–a collection of classic songs and future standards. In brief,Face To Facefinds Westlife doing what theyve always done best. After a brief interlude with their Rat Pack album of classic song sung in the style of Sinatra,Face To Faceis Westlifes first collection of new songs sinceTurnaroundtopped the charts in 2003. “Its got the best material weve ever released”, says Shane confidently. Agrees Nicky: “At the timeTurnaroundseemed like one of our best albums and this one feels even better”. Song writing and production duties are equally divided between long-term collaborator Steve Mac and Swedish hit-makers The Location, returning to the Westlife fold after working on their first two albums (and for Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC among many others), with recording done in Ireland, Sweden and London over the long hot summer. Passion is very much the key to the opening single “You Raise Me Up”, Shane singing the hymn-like refrain over a simple piano melody before Marks soaring vocal ushers in Kian and Nickys blissful harmonies. A slow builder, the song swells into a full-blown gospel epic complete with strings, celestial choirs and something entirely new for Westlife–bagpipes! “I really enjoyed singing it. I hope people find it inspiring”, says Mark. “Its an incredible song”, adds Nicky. “I can see it becoming a favourite at weddings and funerals, like our first hit Swear It Again”.

A new start and a new chapter but the Westlife story is far from over.