Olly Murs

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Olly Murs

Olly Murs "In Case You Didn't Know" album

- Release date : November 2011 -

In Case You Didn't Know is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Olly Murs, released on November 25, 2011, through Epic Records. The album's release is preceded by the lead single "Heart Skips a Beat", which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart in August 2011, and the second single, "Dance with Me Tonight", released on November 20, 2011.

"In Case You Didn't Know" album tracks and lyrics

"In Case You Didn't Know" album reviews

Say what you will about Olly Murs, but there's little denying that he works his tight 'n' teeny (we presume) little socks off. In exactly 12 months since his multi-platinum-selling debut, he's toured non-stop, taken on the role of Xtra Factor co-host and somehow found time to work on a follow-up record.

What's more, the findings on the resulting In Case You Didn't Know suggest there's still pur-lenty of energy left in him yet. Ska-flecked lead single 'Heart Skips A Beat' was a natural but confident progression from his previous record - earning extra cool points for roping in newbies Rizzle Kicks for a skit - while follow-up 'Dance With Me Tonight' is a fun, '50s horn-blaring romp.

For the most part, the remainder of the album deviates between the two; from the white-soul sounds heard in 'Oh My Goodness' and 'I'm OK' to the reggae-light beats found on 'Tell The World' and the immediate standout title track. While he might sound well and truly in his comfort zone, 'This Song Is About You' is enough to ensure he's putting his back into it - and that it's one of the few ballads to be found here makes it all the more touching.

His formula starts to show signs of faltering towards the back-end - namely on the predictable 'On My Cloud' and limp, inoffensive 'Anywhere Else'; but for the most part, the production is slick and the lyrics cheekier than his winning smile. In case you didn't know, Olly Murs is very good at making this pop business look like a leisurely stroll in a sunny park.

*** by Robert Copsey, Digital Spy ***

The press release affixed to the second album from 2009 X Factor runner-up Olly Murs begins: "I'm never going to think, 'Right, I've made it now.' Even the greats like Paul McCartney never think they can't do better." You've got to love his cockiness, especially when there's so little basis for it: In Case You Didn't Know is an unapologetically lightweight product by a chappie born to be labelled "cheeky", and that's about the size of it. Yet it has more going for it than the usual gagsome treacle associated with X Factor contestants. Refusing to be mired in a swampland of balladry, Murs darts lightly from cute reggae (Heart Skips a Beat) to sax-blaring 50s pop (Dance with Me Tonight) to Bacharach/Davidish lushness (Just Smile), and sounds as if he's enjoying himself enormously. Endowed with a decent white-soul voice that recalls Will Young, he and his tunes are never less than easy on the ear.

*** by Caroline Sullivan, The Guardian UK ***