THERE must be someone in the world who has hurt Olly Murs badly.

The Witham singer’s debut album is full of songs about unrequited love, break-ups and nostalgia.

The song titles alone (Ask Me To Stay, Heart On My Sleeve, Don’t Say Goodbye) give an indication there is perhaps more to Olly than his happy-go-lucky persona.

His album kicks off with Change is Gonna Come, featuring a piano riff you would expect from the Scissor Sisters and a brass section Robbie Williams liked to throw in on his pre-Rudebox era choruses.

Olly’s soulful vocals channel a young Stevie Wonder, and you can sense the smile on his face as he sings.

After the opening slice of funk, comes the two singles Please Don’t Let Me Go and Thinking Of Me.

Both songs suffer from the plastic reggae production, which continues on tracks I’m Yours, and Hold On.

Olly is obviously keen to remind us he is a normal guy, with lyrics about bacon and eggs, Converse shoes and Bacardi Breezers in these tracks.

Yet instead of making the songs accessible, the lyrics are often clunky.

The middle of the album sags with some forgettable songs, but it ends on a high with the two closing tracks which are without doubt the highlights.

Gone is the cheeky chappy vibe, as Olly sings Don’t Say Goodbye and A Million More Years.

On these tracks, as with the album opener, Olly sounds like a genuine pop star. His vocals are smoother and braver, and show a versatility which the rest of the album lacks.

OWEN BENNETT