FORWARD - AYLA BROWN
Ayla Brown may be a blip on last season’s “American Idol,” finishing at No. 13, but she has parlayed her nanosecond in the spotlight into numerous public appearances and indie release “Forward.” Ironically, the track demonstrates a more soulful vocal stamp than the did pageant’s top two finalists from 2006, with an adult-contemporary-ready signature that checks off all variables of a hit: an anthemic display of emotion, production and power ballad triumph, with a chilling, rafter-rousing chorus and inspiring lyric of taking forward steps. Reuters/Billboard
