Flying High, Birdy.

Recognised by her stage name, Birdy, Jasmine Van den Bogaerde is a 15 year old, English musician. She is known for winning the music competition Open Mic UK in 2008, at the tender age of 12. Many of you will know her for covering the classic Bon Iver track 'Skinny Love' which managed to gain her a position in the UK top 20. With a new album under her belt, Birdy is flying high.

The brand new, self titled album is filled with raw emotion, vulnerabilty and sheer love. Many would describe it as haunting. There is no doubt that when Radio 1 chose her cover of Skinny Love as a favourite that she was ready for success but the release of the album lets us hear beautiful, stripped back versions of The xx's track Shelter and also People Help The People by Cherry Ghost.

However, does Birdy really appreciate the lyrics she is singing about things that she has most likely never encountered in her life yet? I mean, lets be honest... the lyrics were penned by men nearly twice her age. Personally, I know I need to be in a certain mood to listen to her music. That mood would either be sleepy or actually quite upset.

Having said this... there is no denying this girls talent. Birdy is sure to continue her music career with great success. Who can deny a voice like that?

Birdy's album self titled, Birdy was out for release on November 7.

Bye Bye X-Factor

This years X-Factor has gone through one too many changes. The new judges, the poor range of contestants, the manufactured boy bands, the changing of acts names, evicting acts, bringing them back and the first ever to leave (questionable) the Xfactor live shows. Sigh. Let's rewind to the 2010 series.

It's about time uncle Si, our Chezza, miss Minogue and Louis had a cuppa together and restored order to the UK's version of the talent show. While the American version is soaring and roaring with spectacular talent at the moment, our show has been left to sink. Last years series was oozing with talent and numerous contestants have been signed to major record labels, all expected to achieve number 1 chart positions. However, if you really think about it... there is no excitement left in it this year. What change was the one that led to this? Was it Kelly Rowlan babbling on about how much of worldwide superstar she is? Was it Frankie's bad boy antics? Was it evicting as many people as possible and inviting them back to be in a boy band? (We'll probably have Wagner from last year joining Little Mix tonight.)

In all seriousness, the show is meant to be about singing. Yes, you have to consider the whole package for you to have the "x-factor", but have we focused too much on that and forgotten the real meaning of the show? Simon Cowell's aim was to give an everyday person this huge oppurtunity to sell records worldwide. That's doubtful this year.

I think the mutual feeling in the British public on this series is that X-Factor has well and truly ran its course. We are fed up of The Sun creating a headline about their new twist every week, and fed up of Dermot trying to convince viewers that its still entertaining to watch. It really is time to say bye bye to X-Factor.