Leona Lewis - Hurt [EP]

Leona Lewis dropped her "Hurt" single EP on iTunes a little while ago. While we were expecting upbeat covers, we got lovely ballads that show of her bold and polished vocal ability. Check out the short review and the first listen after the jump!

The first song on the EP, "Hurt" is a cover of the Nine Inch Nails' take on Johnny Cash's original "Hurt." A cover of a cover, you could say. Bad jokes aside, Lewis gives a haunting vocal performance that accompanies an even more eerie piano arrangement. It sort of reminds me of Regina Spektor back in her 11:11, Soviet Kitsch days or maybe even Fiona Apple. Not at all what I was expecting.

"Iris" was a risky record to cover because it's such a classic song that not living up to expectations can piss off a lot of people. She absolutely killed it from the first note to the last. If there was every any question about her vocal power or range, they should be directed towards this song. She also stays pretty true to the original,which I like.

The final track, "Colorblind" didn't live the same bright impression as the first two tracks, but it's a nice addition to the EP.