Love, Sax and Flashbacks

In 2005, East was in the girl group Addictiv Ladies, who were on the second series of The X Factor, mentored by judge and head of Syco Music, Simon Cowell, but were eliminated in the first week after ending up in the bottom two with Chico Slimani.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/tx/x_factor.shtml|title=BBC - 1Xtra TX - Addictiv Ladies: X Factor?|date=15 October 2005|publisher=BBC|access-date=5 October 2014}} East worked as a waitress at the London nightclub Aura Mayfair to help support her music career, and was a fitness model with the agency W Athletic, but struggled with her finances.{{cite web|url=http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/555595/omg-2014-x-factor-finalist-fleur-east-knows-all-rita-ora-s-party-secrets|title=OMG 2014 X Factor finalist Fleur East knows ALL Rita Ora's party secrets!|work=nowmagazine}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wathletic.com/models/profile/fleur-east/large/alphabetical/sport-luxe/?female=1|title=Model/ Sport Profile - W Athletic|author=Anton|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112133402/http://www.wathletic.com/models/profile/fleur-east/large/alphabetical/sport-luxe/?female=1|archive-date=12 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/x-factor-final-2014-fleur-4807569|title=X Factor Final 2014: Fleur East was so broke she nearly gave up music|author=Janine Yaqoob|date=14 December 2014|work=Daily Mirror}}

East later said that by early 2014, she was "definitely depressed" and considering ending her music career, until her friends and relatives encouraged her to audition for The X Factor.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/x-factors-fleur-east-fight-4779402|title=X Factor's Fleur East: My fight with depression inspired me to be a winner|author=Ashleigh Rainbird|date=9 December 2014|work=mirror}} In June 2014, East auditioned for the eleventh series of The X Factor. She progressed to the live shows in the Over 25 category, mentored by Cowell. In the ninth week of the live shows, East performed "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. East's version went to number one on the UK iTunes Store, which led the original song to be released five weeks earlier than planned; it subsequently reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/mark-ronsons-uptown-funk-breaks-all-time-streaming-record-4943/|title=Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk breaks all-time streaming record!|website=Official Charts|publisher=}} The following week, during the show's final, East was announced as the runner-up in the competition, losing to Ben Haenow.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/11291141/x-factor-2014-final-results-winner-Fleur-East-Ben-Haenow-live.html|title=Ben Haenow wins The X Factor 2014: as it happened - Telegraph|date=15 December 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}

In January 2015, East announced that she had signed to Cowell's Syco Music record label.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a620807/x-factors-fleur-east-signs-record-deal-with-simon-cowells-label-syco.html|title=X Factor's Fleur East signs record deal with Simon Cowell's label Syco|work=Digital Spy|date=12 January 2015}} She recorded her debut album with musicians such as Wayne Hector, The Invisible Men, Jack Splash and TMS.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/s103/the-x-factor/news/a631827/fleur-east-working-on-uptempo-album-with-wayne-hector.html|title=Fleur East working on "uptempo" album with Wayne Hector|work=Digital Spy|date=26 February 2015}}

"Sax" was released as the album's lead single on 6 November 2015. Following a critically acclaimed performance of the single on The X Factor,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBRH4mFODwM|title=YouTube|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/x-factor-2015-fleur-east-leaves-simon-cowell-speechless-performance-new-single-sax-1527835|title=The X Factor 2015: Fleur East leaves Simon Cowell speechless with performance of new single Sax|author=Alicia Adejobi|work=International Business Times UK|date=9 November 2015}} it debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20151113/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|website=Official Charts|publisher=}} This was notably higher than the debut single of contemporary, Ben Haenow, which peaked at number 21 in October.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20151023/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|website=Official Charts|publisher=}} "Sax" spent 4 weeks in the chart's top 5.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|website=Official Charts|publisher=}} A music video for the single was released on 26 November.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JZ4pnNtyxQ|title=Fleur East - Sax (Official Video)|date=26 November 2015|publisher=|via=YouTube}}

"More and More" was released as the album's second single on 22 January 2016. East performed the track for the first time at the 2016 National Television Awards.

"Breakfast" was made available to download on 20 November 2015, and charted at number 167 in the UK. It was released as a single in the US on 19 May 2016.

After being announced as the runner-up on The X Factor, East signed a recording contract with Syco in January 2015. She began working on her debut studio album shortly following The X Factor tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a620807/x-factors-fleur-east-signs-record-deal-with-simon-cowells-label-syco.html#~psPfcH3cRnW1dp|title=X Factor's Fleur East signs record deal with Simon Cowell's label Syco|work=Digital Spy|date=12 January 2015}} East split her time between London and Los Angeles to record it. During recording, she was inspired by "Uptown Funk", and described the songs on the album as "very uptempo and very energetic with lots of attitude. [The album has] got loads of influences from the old school. Lots of funk, hip-hop, soul; loads of different sounds fused together. Everything about that song – the uptempo vibe, the high energy, the brass, the old school funk sound – was just right up my street. I've definitely taken a few influences from that."{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a664816/fleur-east-theres-definitely-a-few-uptown-funk-influences-on-my-album.html|title=Fleur East: 'There's definitely a few Uptown Funk influences on my album'|work=Digital Spy|date=22 August 2015}} East revisited her cover of "Uptown Funk", which she had recorded as a studio track prior to her performance on The X Factor, and subsequently re-recorded it for the album.

The lead single "Sax", according to East, was one of the first tracks recorded for the album. East stated that she became fond of the track following its recording, and that she worked hard to make many of the remaining tracks have the same feel and energy to match its quality.

In July 2015, Cowell told The Sun, regarding East's album: "I've heard it and it's world class. She has discovered who she wanted to be. Sometimes you just spot someone who's not obvious and Fleur's a good example of that".{{cite web|url=http://www.reveal.co.uk/showbiz-celeb-gossip/news/a653430/x-factors-simon-cowell-fleur-easts-album-is-world-class.html|title=X Factor's Simon Cowell: 'Fleur East's album is world class'|work=Reveal}} By August, work on the album was almost done.{{cite web|url=http://www.reveal.co.uk/showbiz-celeb-gossip/news/a656053/x-factor-star-fleur-east-debut-album-almost-ready.html|title=X Factor star Fleur East: "Debut album almost ready"|work=Reveal}} East worked with producers Darkchild, Babyface, TMS, Fraser T Smith and Wayne Hector.

East's cover of Alicia Keys' song "Girl on Fire" was used in Virgin Media's television advertisement for broadband.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a671699/fleur-easts-first-music-after-the-x-factor-is-here-and-its-a-cover/|title=Fleur East's first music after The X Factor is her, and it's a cover|website=Digital Spy|date=2 October 2015}}

"Like That" was featured in the movie A Bad Moms Christmas.

Sax was featured in Just Dance Unlimited.

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 6.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/7695/Fleur-East-Love-Sax-And-Flashbacks.aspx|title=Love, Sax and Flashbacks by Fleur East reviews|work=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=13 April 2019}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}

| rev2 = The Arts Desk

| rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev3 = Digital Spy

| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev4 = Evening Standard

| rev4score = {{rating|2|5}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{rating|2|5}}

| rev6 = The Irish Times

| rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}

}}

Love, Sax and Flashbacks has received generally favourable reviews from music critics following its release. While many praised the album's production and upbeat tone, some criticized it for lacking substance. Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic gave the album three and a half stars out of five, arguing that despite the "strong '80s throwback vibe" its production was "by no means derivative and lazy", and considered that "for a runner-up and her first outing, this is top-spot quality pop".{{cite web|last=Z. Yeung|first=Neil|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-sax-flashbacks-mw0002894626|title=Love, Sax & Flashbacks - Fleur East|website=AllMusic|access-date=19 January 2016}} Digital Spy awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "more than just funky brass" and identifying the "refreshing" lack of balladry present. Particular praise was aimed at the album's lead single "Sax" and the track "Gold Watch".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/review/a775921/exclusive-fleur-east-debut-album-love-sax-and-flashbacks-track-by-track-first-listen-review/|title=EXCLUSIVE! Fleur East's debut album Love, Sax and Flashbacks - Our track-by-track first listen review|author=Lewis Corner|date=2 December 2015|work=Digital Spy}} The Irish Times were positive in their review of the album, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. They described the album as "a sassy, funky, brass-infused collection that is equal parts nostalgia trip and sugar rush." They particularly praised the track, "Like That", calling it "a song that would give Beyoncé a run for her money."{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews-the-best-of-the-week-s-new-releases-1.2453114|title=Album reviews: The best of the week's new releases|date=3 December 2015|newspaper=The Irish Times}} Pop Crush also gave the album a positive review, commenting "Love, Sax and Flashbacks is not a game-changing pop masterpiece, and at times, the constant throwbacks start to border on pastiche. What it does have is a breezy, likable charm, and enough interesting twists to feel like a promising start for Fleur East on her quest to become an all-singing, all-dancing pop sensation" and calling it a "true standout". They awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars.{{cite web|url=http://popcrush.com/fleur-east-love-sax-flashbacks-album-review/|title=Fleur East Flourishes on 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks': Album Review|author=Conor Behan|date=3 December 2015|work=PopCrush}} The Arts Desk gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, commenting the record "does everything that good pop should, and it does it surprisingly well."{{cite web|url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/cd-fleur-east-%E2%80%93-love-sax-and-flashbacks|title=CD: Fleur East – Love, Sax and Flashbacks|website=The Arts Desk}}

The Guardian were less positive, awarding the album only 2 out of 5 stars. While they commended East's "enormous energy", they criticised the record for lacking substance, suggesting that it fails in its "assumption that if the songs dazzle with bright lights and fanfare the public might not notice its vacancy".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/dec/03/fleur-east-love-sax-and-flashbacks-review-x-factor-pop|title=Fleur East: Love, Sax and Flashbacks review – X Factor graduate's lightweight pop debut|author=Harriet Gibsone|work=The Guardian|date=3 December 2015}} Evening Standard also gave the album 2 out 5 stars, saying the "signature note of Syco cheapness clings to the whole production and ultimately lets her down."{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/music/fleur-east-love-sax-and-flashbacks-album-review-let-down-by-cheapness-a3129826.html|title=Fleur East - Love, Sax and Flashbacks, album review|author=Richard Godwin|date=4 December 2015|work=Evening Standard}}

The album debuted at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart selling 26,691 copies. In Scotland the album debuted at number 12 in its first week of release. The album debuted at number 16 in Ireland. To date the album has sold over 92,000 copies and received a silver certification.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-charthttp|title=Official Albums Chart Top 100|website=Official Charts}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Love, Sax and Flashbacks{{nobold| – Standard edition}}{{cite web|url=https://itun.es/gb/TJuS-|title=iTunes - Music - Love, Sax and Flashbacks by Fleur East|date=4 December 2015|publisher=iTunes Store (GB)}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 40:33

| title1 = Sax

| writer1 = {{Flatlist |

• Fleur East
• Camille Purcell
• Edvard Førre Erfjord
• Henrik Barman Michelsen
• James Abrahart

}}

| extra1 = {{Flatlist |

• Electric
• Afterhrs{{ref|b|[b]}}

}}

| length1 = 3:56

| title2 = Breakfast

| writer2 = {{Flatlist |

• Julian Bunetta
• Iain Farquarson

}}

| extra2 = Bunetta

| length2 = 3:25

| title3 = More and More

| writer3 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Purcell
• Erfjord
• Michelsen
• Abrahart

}}

| extra3 = {{Flatlist |

• Electric
• Ian Kirkpatrick

}}

| length3 = 3:55

| title4 = Gold Watch

| writer4 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Purcell
• Thomas Barnes
• Peter Kelleher
• Benjamin Kohn
• Edward Drewett

}}

| extra4 = TMS

| length4 = 3:32

| title5 = Love Me or Leave Me Alone

| writer5 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou
• Evan Kidd Bogart
• Zukhan Bey

}}

| extra5 = {{Flatlist |

• Kiriakou
• Bey

}}

| length5 = 3:15

| title6 = Paris

| writer6 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Erfjord
• Michelsen
• Drewett
• Teena Marie
• Allen McGrier

}}

| extra6 = Electric

| length6 = 3:22

| title7 = Kitchen

| writer7 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Warren "Oak" Felder
• Trevor Trevorious" Brown
• Donald Fletcher
• Weldon Parks

}}

| extra7 = Oak Felder

| length7 = 3:32

| title8 = Over Getting Over

| writer8 = {{Flatlist |

• Kirby Lauryen Dockery
• Andrew "Pop" Wansel
• Felder
• Brown

}}

| extra8 = {{Flatlist |

• Pop & Oak
• Trevorious{{ref|a|[a]}}

}}

| length8 = 3:21

| title9 = Baby Don't Dance

| writer9 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Jamie Sanderson
• Abrahart
• Charles Spurling
• Hank Ballard

}}

| extra9 = {{Flatlist |

• Sermstyle
• Nick Seeley{{ref|b|[b]}}

}}

| length9 = 3:25

| title10 = Tears Will Dry

| writer10 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Sanderson
• Maureen "Mozella" McDonald

}}

| extra10 = Sermstyle

| length10 = 3:14

| title11 = Never Say When

| writer11 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Lauryen
• Wansel
• Felder

}}

| extra11 = Pop & Oak

| length11 = 3:23

| title12 = Uptown Funk

| note12 = live X Factor performance

| writer12 = {{flatlist|

• Jeff Bhasker
• Philip Lawrence
• Bruno Mars
• Mark Ronson
• Nicholas Williams
• Devon Gallaspy
• Lonnie Simmons
• The Gap Band
• Rudolph Taylor

}}

| extra12 = Bunetta

| length12 = 2:20

| title_width = 23%

| writing_width = 60%

| extra_width = 17%

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Love, Sax and Flashbacks{{nobold| – Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}}{{cite web|url=https://itun.es/gb/xFvS-|title=iTunes - Music - Love, Sax and Flashbacks (Deluxe) by Fleur East|date=4 December 2015|publisher=iTunes Store (GB)}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 54:22

| title_width = 23%

| writing_width = 60%

| extra_width = 17%

| title12 = Like That

| writer12 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Fraser Thornycroft-Smith
• Ina Wroldsen
• Janée "Jin Jin" Bennett
• Ash Soan
• Ben Epstein

}}

| extra12 = {{Flatlist |

• Fraser T Smith
• Zack the Lad{{ref|b|[b]}}
• Benjamin Miller{{ref|b|[b]}}

}}

| length12 = 3:11

| title13 = Serious

| writer13 = {{Flatlist |

• Wayne Hector
• Daniel Davidsen
• Peter Wallevik
• Mich Hansen

}}

| extra13 = {{Flatlist |

• Davidsen
• Wallevik
• Cutfather

}}

| length13 = 3:29

| title14 = Know Your Name

| writer14 = {{Flatlist |

• East
• Kasper "Kay" Larsen
• Hansen
• Maegan Cottone
• Tebey Ottoh

}}

| extra14 = {{Flatlist |

• Kay
• Cutfather

}}

| length14 = 3:28

| title15 = Uptown Funk

| note15 = live X Factor performance

| writer15 = {{flatlist|

• Bhasker
• Lawrence
• Mars
• Ronson
• Williams
• Gallaspy
• Simmons
• The Gap Band
• Taylor

}}

| extra15 = Bunetta

| length15 = 2:20

| title16 = Girl on Fire

| writer16 = {{Flatlist |

• Alicia Keys
• Salaam Remi
• Bhasker
• Billy Squier
• Onika Tanya Maraj

}}

| extra16 = Afterhrs

| length16 = 3:35

}}

;Notes

• ^{{{note|a|[a]}}} signifies a co-producer
• ^{{{note|b|[b]}}} signifies an additional producer
• "Paris" contains elements from "Ooo La La La" by Teena Marie
• "Kitchen" contains a sample of the recording and elements from "Dancing Machine" by The Jackson 5
• "Baby Don't Dance" contains elements from "Unwind Yourself" by Marva Whitney
• Credits adapted from album liner notes

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Fleur East|title=Love, Sax and Flashbacks|type=album|award=Silver|id=13541-4110-2|salesamount=92,000|salesref={{cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/fleur-east-announces-new-single-favourite-thing__25112/|title=Fleur East announces new single Favourite Thing|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=18 December 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=18 December 2018}}|relyear=2015|certyear=2015}}

{{End}}

{{col-end}}

{{reflist}}

{{Fleur East}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2015 debut albums

Category:Fleur East albums

Category:Syco Music albums

Category:Albums produced by Cutfather

Category:Albums produced by TMS (production team)