Displaying the kind of intensity that makes
Nick Cave look like a member of
One Direction,
Aiden Grimshaw's haunting performances on The X-Factor were both captivating and creepy in equal measure. Thankfully, in the two years since he was booted out before such musical luminaries as Katie Waissel and Wagner, he's learned how to best control his teenage angst for his surprisingly left-field debut album,
Misty Eye. Indeed, flirting with everything from
James Blake-esque folktronica ("Poachers' Timing") to emotive drum'n'bass ("What We Gonna Be") to delicate piano balladry ("Be Myself"), it's a record which bears few hallmarks of his talent show past. There may be a cover version, but it's a beautifully understated rendition of
Sia's "Breathe Me" which makes the grade here, rather than the karaoke favorites usually handed out to
Cowell's alumni. And despite the odd dabble with dubstep ("Hold On"), there's a refreshing lack of bandwagon jumping, with the majority of its ten tracks harking back to the dinner party electronica of the '90s. "Nothing at All" echoes the orchestral trip-hop of
Massive Attack, as does the claustrophobic title track, while standout "Curtain Call," a collaboration with
Labrinth's sister
ShazAr, recalls the emotive gospel-blues of
Moby's ubiquitous Play. Judging by his extremely brief cameo in the video for lead single "Is This Love,"
Grimshaw still appears to be the reluctant pop star. But on the basis of
Misty Eye, he might have to get used to being one. ~ Jon O'Brien