This is an accepted version of this page Overcome is the debut studio album by British singer Alexandra Burke, released 19 October 2009 on Syco Music.
The release of the album came a year after Burke won the British talent show, The X Factor, with the recording process taking place between 2008 and 2009.
As well as receiving positive reviews, Overcome earned a nomination for Best Album at the Urban Music Awards.
[6] In December 2008, Burke won the fifth series of the British reality singing competition, The X Factor, having previously entered in 2005.
[9] However, following the success of fellow X Factor contestant, Leona Lewis, the album was pushed back for an Autumn release.
[14] Whilst in the states she also worked with Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Roc Nation and Stargate.
[14] New production team "Element" announced on their website that they had produced two songs for Burke, including one track which made the final cut for Overcome, titled "Bury Me (6 Feet Under)".
[15] Aside from working with American producers, Burke also collaborated with British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz and Steve Booker.
Booker produced the track "You Broke My Heart", which he co-wrote with Niara Scarlett and Pixie Lott,[16] one of several the British singer submitted for the album.
[18] Writing on her official website, Burke has said of the album:[19] "I said to my manager I want my music to be fun, to be uplifting and to be bold.
Included in the leaks was newly recorded version of "All Night Long" featuring American rapper, Pitbull which was tipped to be the singer's third single in March 2010.
[25] Burke helped to launch UK music channel Viva, performing "Bad Boys", "They Don't Know" and "Hallelujah" live for the broadcast.
[26] Burke also played a small set including "Bad Boys" and "Hallelujah" at the BBC Switch Live alongside American group The Black Eyed Peas.
[27] Burke started her European Promo Tour in Brussels on 18 January, also visiting Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, Vienna, Zurich, Milan and Paris, where she promoted "Bad Boys" and her debut album, by visiting many radio stations and performing the single making several TV appearances.
[28] "Hallelujah", a cover of Leonard Cohen's song, was Burke's debut release as The X Factor winner's single.
[34] Buckley's rendition eventually reached the United Kingdom's Christmas number-two, making it the first time the same song had occupied both the first and second spots on the singles chart.
"[37] "Bad Boys" debuted at number-one on the UK and the Irish Singles chart, becoming Burke's second consecutive chart-topper in both countries,[38] selling over 187,000 copies to become the fastest selling single of 2009 in the United Kingdom,[39][40] and was replaced the following week by her X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole's "Fight for This Love".
[43] The song's video was filmed on Saturday 27 March 2010 in London[44] and has been remixed to include American rapper Pitbull.
Giving the album four out of five stars, Alex Hardy of The Times stated "last year’s X Factor winner belts out a few impeccably voiced big ballads, but they’re merely fillers among sci-fi disco tracks and bassy, beaty collaborations that often more closely resemble Christina Aguilera or Lady Gaga.
"[53] Petridis gave the album three out of five stars, noting that "'Bury Me' and 'You Broke My Heart' are Motown pastiches that seem a little too craven and obvious in their pursuit of the Duffy market.
"[53] Another reviewer for The Guardian drew comparisons with Barbadian singer Rihanna, whilst calling the album "cast-iron edifice of a debut" and saying it has a "crack team of producers.
"[57] Al Fox of the BBC said that the album is "relevant, it’s contemporary, it’s edgy enough for younger fans but accessible enough for a wider audience", calling it "swathed in personality.
"[48] Overcome debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, selling 132,065 in its first week according to the British Phonographic Industry.