Sony Drops Amy Pearson

Amy Pearson's next gig?

In the year's most unsurprising development, Amy Pearson has been kicked to the curb by Sony Australia. Rumours have been circulating for a while now but sources close to the singer have confirmed that she has officially "parted ways" with her record company. I'm gutted. Amy's first album was a Delta-lite abomination but I loved her new direction. I know I ridiculed her desperate transformation from girl next door to sleazy dance diva in a post last October but I also hailed "Butterfingers" as the "best song about arse play since Pull Up To The Bumper" and included it in my best of 2009 countdown. Unfortunately, the rest of Australia wasn't as willing to overlook Amy's tragic makeover or her frigid librarian on GHB dance moves. "Butterfingers" ultimately failed to dent the top 100 despite its A List producer and top notch remixes - leaving everyone with egg on their face.

It's a shame because I think Amy was just starting to grow into her new sound. The rest of "Aftershock" (her scrapped album) is much less confronting than "Butterfingers" and contains some killer tunes - especially the title track and "Ten Steps". Either would have made a more appropriate lead single, showcasing the diva's new style but not completely alienating her old fans. Happily, it's not all doom and gloom for Amy. There are rumours that she might release the album "via other means" and I know she recently collaborated with one of Australia's hottest dance outfits on a track to be released later in the year. Until then, I'd like to pay tribute to singer's stint at Sony and wish her all the best for the future. "Butterfingers" might have sank like the Titanic but it made me a fan!

2007 - Don't Miss You (#19)
2007 - Not Me (#37)
2008 - Ready To Fly (#40)
2009 - Butterfingers (Did Not Chart)

Oh and here's Amy working her fabulous butterfingers in a rare live TV performance of her notorious flop. I actually think this is great. She seems much more at ease with the dance steps and her voice sounds amazing.

Amy Pearson's Desperate Makeover

In 2009's most startling transformation, Amy Pearson has dropped her horsey girl-next-door image in favour of a sexy new look. She's also ditched the bland ballads that made her debut album a cure for insomnia and re-emerged with a hot new dance-pop sound. I'm not sure who Amy thinks she's fooling. She still looks like a librarian doing her best Britney impersonation but I couldn't care less. In one fell swoop, Amy has gone from being Australia's most boring pop star to a pop trash diva worth celebrating. I love the overwhelming sense of desperation and genuinely respect her for going after the notoriously hard to crack dance-pop market. It's a big risk. With the exception of the Minogue sisters, the genre has been very unkind to local acts - as Cheyne, Joanne and Melinda Jackson can testify! Admittedly, none of them had the backing of Sony and access to the world's hottest music producers.

Speaking of hot producers, Amy's fabulously titled comeback single is apparently the handiwork of Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins but it sure doesn't sound like it to me. "Butterfingers" is a pure pop explosion - complete with dubious lyrics, slick dance beats and catchy chorus. This could also be the best song about arse play since "Pull Up To The Bumper"! It takes a couple of listens to overcome visions of Amy covered in Wet Stuff but "Butterfingers" has completely won me over. The video (below) is a bit of trainwreck but I'm completely mesmerised. I can't believe someone thought it was a good idea to film it in a parking station but Amy's incredibly awkward dance moves and questionable outfits make it truly memorable! I've also been lucky enough to hear the diva's forthcoming album and I'm really impressed - particularly by the DNA penned "Ten Steps", which has radio hit written all over it. I never thought I'd say it but Amy Pearson could be the new face of Australian pop!

Amy Pearson - Australia's Latest Pop Import

One of the few local pop acts to make any kind of impact on the Australian Singles Chart of late is Amy Pearson, who debuts this week at number 28 with her first single "Don't Miss You". I say "local" because Amy is signed to the Australian arm of Sony and has lived in the country for the past 4 years but she originally hails from the exotic town of Birmingham. The story behind Amy's immigration is really quite amusing. Amy's website proudly boasts that she was discovered by Take That's Gary Barlow, who was "impressed with her natural talent" and anticipated "a huge music career for her". I guess that's why no one in England was interested and she was shipped off to the pop music abyss that is Australia. However, it seems that Gary might have the last laugh because "Don't Miss You" is turning into quite a hit.

I'm not particularly overwhelmed with "Don't Miss You" but I understand its warm reception. The song is pleasant enough and stays firmly within the bounds of the pop/rock genre that currently dominates the charts. Amy reminds me somewhat of Kelly Clarkson - only Amy's not obese and her music isn't totally shit. Perhaps, Stacie Orrico would be a more flattering and appropriate comparison. The remixed version of "Don't Miss You" is only slightly different from the radio edit but has a distinct pop edge. It's taken a few listens but I'm rather taken with it now. I'll be interested to see which direction her upcoming album takes - if she's willing to embrace pop or would rather wallow in middle of the road rubbish like her mentor and his shit band of aging fuckwits.

Amy's single is available from Sanity, Chaos and iTunes. Check out Amy's Myspace for more information.