It’s a sad indictment of the modern pop industry that this album was postponed from an original release date of last November, presumably in part to avoid being over-shadowed by X-Factor. It’s too bad that, with all the reality TV contestants clamouring for their 15 minutes in the limelight, self-made talent isn’t given half as much attention. Lucie Silvas – born plain old Lucie Silverman – was dropped in 2000 with an unreleased album, and had to spend her time writing for Liberty X and Rachel Stevens, among others, whilst appearing as a backing singer for Gary Barlow.

Nonetheless, when she finally got a chance, she sold over 400,000 copies of her ‘second debut’ album, Breathe In, as well as scoring hits all over Europe. Now she’s back with a follow-up, The Same Side, which sees her take the route of a mature piano-based singer-songwriter, with songs about the typical themes of love and life that still sound fresh.

Somewhere between Delta Goodrem and Kelly Clarkson, thankfully Silvas feels no need to show off her vocal range, a la Anastacia, just to prove herself – though it’s evident at times, such as ‘Passionate You’. That’s not to say she’s gone down the mellow, easy-listening route of Sarah McLachlan or Norah Jones either, as the album still includes its share of lively, rockier numbers, such as the Sheryl Crowe-like ‘Sinking In’.

I’m not usually a great fan of what’s sometimes called ‘adult pop’ – maybe it’s a sign of impending old age to start preferring songs with tunes and choruses – but it would be a real shame for talented British performers like Silvas to be over-looked in favour of the reality TV contestant conveyor belt. She clearly has the guts – and the voice – to persevere in the music business, lasting somewhat longer than one hyped-up single.

(4½/5)