Blake Lewis Signs A Deal with Republic Records, Album in Spring

By On 02/25/2013 · 20 Comments · In American Idol, Blake Lewis

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Congratulations to Blake Lewis! Yahoo music reveals that the Season 6 American Idol runner-up has signed a major label deal. Via Yahoo Music

Blake’s third album, titled Portrait of a Chameleon, will be released by Republic Records this spring.

The label is also home to has signed to Drake, Florence + The Machine, Alex Clare and Gotye.

“The vibe of Portrait Of A Chameleon is fun, sexy, and positive,” says Blake of the new album. “The sound that I have been striving for is somewhat of a hybrid. The foundation of instruments are guitar Rhodes, beatbox, and ‘Decepticon’ bass—which I coined because my co-producer is an amazing sound designer and all the bass noises sound like evil Transformers. Everything we have made for this album is handcrafted, coming from an organic place. I’ve been writing it for over a year, and throughout that time I get inspired in different ways, so the sound is ever-evolving. I’ve also had the honor and pleasure writing with one of my favorite frontmen from one of my favorite bands—I don’t want to name names yet! This project is really close to my heart, so I’ve only reached out to people I trust and care about. My last couple of albums had too many people involved, and the creative had become lost because of it.”

With the renewed popularity of electronic music, I think our beatboxing boy’s time may have finally come.  As an aside, it’s fantastic to see so many Idol alums such as Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze and now Blake get a second shot at record deals.

Check out a full stream of “Your Touch” song below

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  • girlygirltoo

    Congrats to Blake! I have to say I’m a little surprised he got a major label deal, since he has been off the radar (except on the dance charts) for awhile, but this is very exciting! Looking forward to hearing the album.

  • zaclona77

    I would say that for an Idol alumn there is an unbelievable amount of electronic processing going on, however the snippet totally sold me the song. I would buy.

  • HermeticallySealed

    Congo rats to him! I have high hopes (well, quality wise, market is too much of a crap shoot) for this album.  

  • http://twitter.com/cara_lee pj

    Yay for Blake!  I haven’t been keeping track of him since Heartbreak on Vinyl.  I loved that one.  Oh, isn’t he roommates with Elliot now? I remember seeing that on twitter.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/X3EBGLZMUFDHE2PTJBT266WO74 Andy

    From the 30 seconds snippet of Blake’s new song, it may still be a little too avant garde for today’s pop sound, but good for Blake for getting a second chance on a record deal. Hope they will promote this album. I love electronic musics, can’t wait to buy this albem.

  • LongKissGoodnight

    It’s unconfirmed yet but according to poster on pulse who knew about adds date for GGG and a lot of other songs before anybody else did ‘Your Touch’ is going for pop adds on April 2.
    And you can listen to it full on Mediabase.
    http://www.airplayaddboard.com/mmrwebinclude/player.asp?&format=H1&sngcde=LEWIYT

    I love it, but then again I always had a soft spot for Blake’s music. While not perfect by any stretch of imagination there is quite a lot of talent there, IMHO.

  • hellomusicgirl

    Awesome news!

    I have Blake’s ADD album and the first half of it is still in heavy rotation for me. The slower songs tend to lose me with Blake — to me the electronica doesn’t go well with a slower tempo and Blake has never been the strongest singer. What he can do well is make fun, uptempo, dance-able records. Very excited to hear the new album.

  • usedtobelucy

    Congrats to Blake. I’m looking forward to this. 

  • abbysee

    Always liked his music and his enthusiasm for his music. Some people are just vocally gifted but never hone or grow their craft. Blake is always on his grind, I admire that, so big congratulations!

  • Kiska12

    Congrats to Blake!! I really like his second album. So hopefully it is going to be more of the electro-pop vs heavilly processed sound. We will see.

  • Miz

    Congrats to Blake on his record deal.

    Does anyone know if Idols have a waiting period before they can sign with another label once they part ways with the AI labels?

  • girlygirltoo

    I don’t know for sure, but I doubt it. Once they are released (or leave), they should have the freedom to sign with whoever they want right away, since they no longer have a contract.  However, it isn’t easy to get a record deal in the first place *shrugs*

  • elliegrll

    Just like with the majority of other artists, once they lose one major label contract it is going to be hard, but not impossible, to get another one.  To his credit, Blake has been working his butt off making new music and contacts since he was released from Arista.  That’s pretty much the only way get noticed.

  • Goodvibes27

    Cool beans for Blake! I always thought he was a very innovative artist. I had picked him to win early on and he was close.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=619146318 Arkarch

    Awesome Blake!  Way to get back into a promising publishing/distribution company.

     Regarding contracts – While I cannot talk specifically about music recording contracts, I am familiar with some forms of entertainment publishing contracts as the signing “artist” (disclaimer, that means I am not a lawyer).  One set of terms often used is a “First Option” and “First Right to Refusal”.   These terms often act as poison pills when trying to work with other publishers as the owner of the contract can often counteroffer any work.  This often prevents other publishers from investing in working with you.  Its generally a clever way to set up an effective exclusive and can last years beyond the original contract.  See this lots in prospect deals.

  • http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart

    I also agree that Blake is a very innovative artist with a sincere delivery.  I hope he does well with this album!

  • MCB20

    Check out Blake’s new Twitter page – the song is being used in an Internet Explorer commercial – let’s hope this gives it even more push!

  • MCB20

    Check out Blake’s Twitter account – it gets better – the song is being used for an IE commercial.  Looks like you will have to listen on xbox music or on Mediabase for now.  I really like the song!

  • artemis112

    That’s great promo for Blake! I’m so glad he’s been signed to a new label; can’t wait to hear the new music he has coming out.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/X3EBGLZMUFDHE2PTJBT266WO74 Andy

    Congrats to Blake. He has been working hard on crafting and fine tuning his music since AI. He never stopped working, be it hosting an Internet show or releasing music independently. The hard work is finally pay off. Good luck Blake.