Shayne Ward: An obsession for perfection

MANILA, Philippines - Three years is a long time to wait for a new album to hit record stores. But for Shayne Ward of No Promises fame (among others), nothing could be more right.

That’s how long it took him to come up with his third album, Obsession (Sony Music). Turns out it’s because Shayne as usual, is obsessed with doing things well.

“It’s important to find the right material for the album,” Shayne says in an exclusive phone interview. “I spoke to the right producers and made sure I gave what the audience wants. I wanted to make it worth the wait.”

Besides, if you happen to have millions in album sales, several awards (including an Ivor Novello and 15 platinum discs), you just don’t record another album at the drop of a hat. You prepare long and hard for it.

“This one has a more R&B feel to it,” Shayne compares Obsession with his first two albums. “I have more creative freedom here. And I try to put my own stamp on it a little bit more.”

That’s the reward you get when you’re called the British version of Justin Timberlake. It’s a compliment,” Shayne beams.

So he combined piano and guitars with his smooth vocals since “that’s the way I can emotionally connect to show my music.”

And the guy admits he’s `pretty pleased’ with the results.

The first track, Gotta be Somebody is labeled infectious, Obsession, the title track, is known for its powerful crescendos, and Foolish bursts with vocal bravura.

Shayne’s most personal track, however, is the fifth one, the ballad Waiting in the Wings.

“It’s about someone who’s been so hurt in a past relationship,” he relates. The song touches a raw nerve in Shayne’s heart because it talks about something he’s familiar with. Yes, he’s been hurt. But he refuses to detail and whys and wherefores.

Suffice it to say that the guy isn’t smarting from that pain anymore. He’s happily married to childhood sweetheart Faye Mckeever.

But the lessons remain.

“People will treat you the way you want to be treated,” he intones. And this, his version of the golden rule, happens to be in Waiting in the Wings.

If that’s not enough, you’ll see more of the heart-baring in the album    . Shayne writes about `losing my way’, a phrase that makes you ask a lot of questions about the what, when and how of it all.

He replies, ”I spent a lot of time away from the music industry. And it took longer than I expected. I lost my way.”

Thank heavens he found his way back, thanks to producers and writers who inspired Shayne to come up with tracks he is proud to share with the world via a series of shows.

“I’m happy if people enjoy the album,” he reveals. And while it’s great to be happy about your work, it’s best that other people are happy enough about it to buy copy after copy.

“I’m after striking the right balance between making my producer happy and keeping myself satisfied with my work,” Shayne declares.

Keeping himself satisfied with his work also means collaborating with artists he admires like Katy Perry and Eminem. In fact, Shayne says the mere thought of teaming up with Eminem in the title track, Obsession, is “incredible.”

”Eminem is such an amazing artist,” Shayne gushes. “I’ve been following him for years!”

Filipinos, on the other hand, have been following Shayne’s No Promises (from his self-titled debut album) for three years now.

“We’re talking about a trip to Manila,” Shayne announces. ”I’m pretty excited because my new album is already out over there.”

He even has one request: “Maybe you can recommend a Filipino singer I can check out over there.”

Yes, Shayne Ward is a people pleaser; as sensitive to others’ feelings as he is to his own. This trait will make him fulfill his dream of staying long in a business where only the tried and the tested remain.