Hot Video Alert: Matt Cardle – Starlight

If chart position really matters in the music biz, then things aren’t looking good for last year’s X-Factor winner Matt Cardle.  Entering the UK Singles Chart at a dismal 185 upon it’s release in early December, the reality star’s latest single, “Starlight” was co-penned by Cardle himself alongside Ash Howes, Richard “Biff” Stannard and Seton Daunt.  The single is considerably more up-tempo than Cardle’s debut effort, the exceptionally bland “Run For Your Life,” which somehow managed to peak at #6.  “Starlight” features a nice combination of guitar and electro beats, sounding a bit like U2  (think How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb era) mixed with Coldplay.  Featuring a nice set of remixes by Alias, the song made it to #2 on the Commercial Pop Top 30 Club Chart.

While Matt Cardle won me over on his season of X-Factor with his trademark falsetto-laden cover songs, and folk-pop sensibilities, his debut album Letters left much to be desired.  I just haven’t been able to connect with any of his new material and I’m not sure why that is.  The talent is still there, perhaps it’s just the material he has to work with that’s lacking?  Debut X-Factor single “When We Collide” was a bit of a creative dud in my opinion, although it did reach the #1 spot, a feat achieved by many past X-Factor winners.  Matt’s album Letters also fared pretty well on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at #2, featuring production by Stannard, Howes, current X-Factor Judge (and Take That member) Gary Barlow and songwriting assistance from Eg White, Eliot James, David Sneddon and others. No word on whether there will be a third single released from the album, but by the looks of things, Cardle’s career with Syco might very well be short lived.  Pity really. Here’s hoping the label gives Cardle another chance.  While I can’t see him becoming an international superstar, I think he’s got talent for days and would love to see him record a follow up album.

Check out the lovely video for “Starlight” below, directed by Sean De Sparengo and download the single on UK iTunes HERE.