Alexis Jordan - Happiness

Massive debut single for potential star?



McLovin

Looking set to chart in the top three on Sunday is the debut single from 18 year old American Alexis Jordan. Although she will be unfamiliar to a UK audience, she came to prominence in the US way back in 2006. Appearing on America's Got Talent, 14 year old Alexis wowed the judges with her rendition of the Whitney Houston juggernaut I Have Nothing, before exiting at the semi-finals stage. Bubbling under the radar for the pass few years whilst singing cover versions on YouTube, she was recently signed to new label StarRoc. This label is a merger between Jay-Z's RocNation and the Norwegian powerhouse writing team Stargate (responsible for many of Ne-Yo and Rihanna's hits). When you've got the most successful rapper alive and (in my opinion) the best current songwriters both wanting to sign you, you know you're onto a winner! However, it does put a lot of pressure on the first single. Does Happiness stand up to it?

The song is based entirely around the Deadmau5 track Brazil (Second Edit). I must admit I am no dance music connoisseur, but to my ears their song is wonderful. Why bother putting a vocal melody over it? Is piggybacking onto an established act's song really the best way to launch Alexis to the world at large?

As it turns out, yes! Happiness is one of those rare songs that builds on its original sample to create something entirely new and unexpected. 'I gotta turn this car around, I never should have left you there'. Right from the off, the listener is drawn into song - why has she changed her mind? Who is she going back to? As it progresses to the chorus, the song's meaning becomes clearer. 'Through strength I found love, in time I found myself in happiness with you'. What I find interesting is the use of the word strength. Love isn't being presented as something simple and easy. It is tough, something you need to work at - that's why at the beginning of the song she is on her way out of the relationship. Happiness is about her change of heart, the realisation that she has a good thing going on and she's willing to give it another go. It's not about finding somebody new, it's about having already found that somebody who is going to make it all worthwhile.

The repeated vocal hook of 'Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm' perfectly captures her contentment, while the light, floaty way in which she first sings the word 'happiness' blissfully conveys the temporality of that feeling. Alexis can really belt out a song (check out her cover of Fight For This Love where she maxes out the video camera speakers!). But here it is restrained, and all the more powerful for it. The ease of her vocals gives the song its balanced tone. After all, you can never really force yourself to be happy, can you? And if she does start giving it a bit more welly towards the end, it is only in line with the song's progression.

While some naysayers might never give Happiness a chance due to its sampled origins, they'd be missing the point. Using the Deadmau5 track as a starting point, Happiness takes flight to become one of the standout tracks of the year. I for one am very excited about what comes next for her.

Chart Predictions
McLovin: 3
Spyke: 3
Actual: 3