Kate Ryan Gives a 'Strong' American Debut
Music review
Josh Ridgway, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/31/05 Section: Lifestyles
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With over a million record sales under her belt, Kate Ryan is a hot young artist with a passion and ability to match her success. She has been featured on countless import dance collections, but now has released her first full album in the United States.
At age 23, Ryan has already accomplished what most artists hope to accomplish in an entire career. She topped the charts in almost every European country with one of four of her already released singles. Her initial success came with her cover of the Mylene Farmer song, "Desenchantee." The single debuted at the top of the Belgian, French and Dutch charts, and stayed at the top for five, four and seven weeks, respectively.
Ryan's following singles, "UR My Love," "Scream For More (Mon Coeur Resiste Encore)" and another Farmer cover of "Libertine" each stormed European singles charts and made her one of the biggest artists of 2003. Ryan's debut album, Different, also made noise in Europe, selling over 500,000 copies and garnering multiple awards and nominations.
While Different was never commercially released in the United States, "Desenchantee" and "Scream For More" made Ryan a well-known name on the dance floor.
Ryan's new album, Stronger, has been released in the States, and features 17 tracks to get to know the voice behind some of today's biggest dance hits. Her sophomore album expands on the formula that made her successful, but also explores the musical styles Ryan has been influenced by. Through the 17 tracks, there is a little bit of funk, a little bit of pop and two ballads.
Stronger opens with Ryan's latest single, "Only If I." At first, the song seems like it is going to be a slow ballad, with sweeping trance sounds and a slow tempo taking over the first verse. Heading into the first chorus, though, the tempo almost doubles and an infectious chorus kicks in. "Only if I could turn back time, I know I'd give it again, give my love again," Ryan sings over pulsing dance beats.
At age 23, Ryan has already accomplished what most artists hope to accomplish in an entire career. She topped the charts in almost every European country with one of four of her already released singles. Her initial success came with her cover of the Mylene Farmer song, "Desenchantee." The single debuted at the top of the Belgian, French and Dutch charts, and stayed at the top for five, four and seven weeks, respectively.
Ryan's following singles, "UR My Love," "Scream For More (Mon Coeur Resiste Encore)" and another Farmer cover of "Libertine" each stormed European singles charts and made her one of the biggest artists of 2003. Ryan's debut album, Different, also made noise in Europe, selling over 500,000 copies and garnering multiple awards and nominations.
While Different was never commercially released in the United States, "Desenchantee" and "Scream For More" made Ryan a well-known name on the dance floor.
Ryan's new album, Stronger, has been released in the States, and features 17 tracks to get to know the voice behind some of today's biggest dance hits. Her sophomore album expands on the formula that made her successful, but also explores the musical styles Ryan has been influenced by. Through the 17 tracks, there is a little bit of funk, a little bit of pop and two ballads.
Stronger opens with Ryan's latest single, "Only If I." At first, the song seems like it is going to be a slow ballad, with sweeping trance sounds and a slow tempo taking over the first verse. Heading into the first chorus, though, the tempo almost doubles and an infectious chorus kicks in. "Only if I could turn back time, I know I'd give it again, give my love again," Ryan sings over pulsing dance beats.
