Ben Haenow (album)

Upon winning the eleventh series of The X Factor, Haenow released his debut single, a cover version of OneRepublic's "Something I Need" in December 2014.^[1] The track debuted at the top of the Official UK Singles Chart while simultaneously becoming the UK Christmas number one single of the year.^[2] In January 2015, Haenow signed a recording contract with his mentor Simon Cowell's record company Syco Music; and in October 2015, he entered into a US record deal with Sony Music Entertainment's RCA Records label.^[1][3][4]

Immediately after signing his contract with Syco, Haenow travelled to Los Angeles to begin recording tracks for his debut studio album.^[1][3] He also began to write new material for the album with Kodaline, J.R. Rotem, Amy Wadge, Julian Bunetta, and Steve Robson.^[3] Much of the album was recorded on the Westlake Recording Studios in West Hollywood, with Haenow amassing over 60–70 recorded songs for potential selection.^[3][5]

Haenow described the album as a pop rock record, saying that "About half of the album is in that uptempo pop rock reign, the other half is a mix of ballads and different stuff", while also describing it as "something a bit more organic and more singer-songwriter stuff."^[5][6][7] Despite being expected to release a rock album due to rock-oriented roots during his season on The X Factor, he felt that recording a full-on rock record would fail to achieve commercial success.^[5][6][8][9] "Second Hand Heart" will open the album as the lead track, featuring Kelly Clarkson.^[10] Produced by Afterhrs and Julian Bunetta, it was written by Afterhrs members Ian Franzino and Andrew Haas, who co-wrote it with Artist vs. Poet members Joe Kirkland & Jason Dean, with additional writing by Neil Ormandy.^[10]

"Slamming Doors", which Haenow co-wrote with Amy Wadge and Jim Duguid, follows as a piano-driven ballad.^[5] The third track, "All Yours", was produced by Rotem, who also co-wrote it with Haenow and Wadge.^[5] Written by Haenow with Iain James and Robson, "Start Again", follows as the fourth track.^[5] Produced by Robson, it was the first song to be written for the album.^[5] Haenow co-wrote the ninth track, "Brother", about his sibling, a guitarist whom Haenow had worried about being neglected while he was competing on The X Factor.^[8] Haenow's version of "Something I Need" was included as the tenth track and the closing song on the album's standard edition.^[11]

Ben Haenow was released on 13 November 2015, by Syco Music and RCA Records, making him the first male winner of The X Factor to receive an American joint release deal and the second X Factor winner after Leona Lewis, who was also signed to RCA during her tenure with Syco.^[3][12] To promote the album, Haenow premiered "Second Hand Heart" in a live performance on the twelfth series of The X Factor on 31 October 2015.^[13]

The album debuted at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart with 18,130 copies sold. In its second week, the album dropped 19 places to number 29, selling 7,743 copies, bringing its total to 25,873 copies sold. In its third week on the chart, the album dropped 1 place to number 30, selling 9,271 copies, bringing the sales total to 35,144 copies sold^[18]