Pop-Culturalist.com

It’s been three years since Alex & Sierra were crowned The X Factor USA winners. They won the hearts of America with their ingenious take on pop classics. And, have since released their first album (which debuted at #8 on the Billboard charts), toured with Andy Grammer, and firmly established themselves as a modern day Sonny and Cher. The pair’s new EP is a mix of covers that breathe new life to songs we know and love and stunning originals.

If you followed their journey on The X Factor USA, you know Alex & Sierra had many “moments” on the show. These performances set them apart from the rest of the competition and led to their victory. Their new EP—As Seen On TV—is a nod to their humble beginnings and showcases their evolution as artists.

It’s seems only fitting that the EP opens with Britney Spears’ “Toxic”. The song started it all and made Alex & Sierra household names. If you enjoyed their rendition on the show, you’ll love this recording. Their vocals have never sounded better. It’s sexy, sultry, and soulful. It’s pretty remarkable that they’re always able to interpret classics and make them sound better than the original. And, that’s the case with all the covers on As Seen On TV. Also included are “Say Something” and “Gravity”. For me, these two performances won them the title. When you listen to the songs, have some Kleenex handy. It’s as emotional as it was on TV (see what I did there?).

But, the highlight on the record are the originals. We can’t get enough of them and wished there were more. “You Will Find Me” is a moving song about unconditional love. And, it’s safe to say that Alex & Sierra know a little about that. You’ll want to shut your eyes and take it all in. The EP concludes with the hauntingly beautiful “Animals”. It’s a powerful end to an EP that leaves us wanting more. Watch the video below:

★ ★ ★ ½ out of 4