December 10 On Your Side

Tracks: Run My Way; Angel; Infinity (123); Us Against The World; ...On Your Side; Where Are We Now; End of Beginning; Angel - Stripped; Run My Way - Stripped

Label: Syco


It has only been seven months to the day since December 10 was first projected into homes around the world as part of Simon Cowell's latest series, The Next Act. However, it has been seven months full of drama and delight. While it is clear the group have won over an army of fans, with their initial small tour selling out in the blink of an eye and their current European tour doing the same, there has been criticism of their lack of instant chart success, and band member Danny is already on a hiatus to consider his behavioural choices during this period. Yet, despite their questionable band name choice, it is clear that the septet have found a home in the hearts of many, and now the question arises whether they can translate their clear potential to long-term success. As they unveil their debut EP, On Your Side, that question seems more potent than ever.

Simon Cowell does have an impressive track record. But for every Leona Lewis or One Direction, there has also been a Girl Thing or three. Where will December 10 land? Sadly, that decision does not just lie in the band, their actions or even their music. While Girl Thing may not have been catapulted to global success, their downfall came more from the expectations of a Cowell million-pound launched act than their own musical output or potential. A similar thing could be said of latter X Factor winners. With instant fame and a huge hype machine fuelling attention on them, December 10 has a bigger boot to fill than other contemporary boybands with a smaller start point.

While there is no denying that there is amazing kudos in having a Primark range already raising their profile, the lack of single success means December 10 has notches both for and against their enduring success. However, their debut EP speaks volumes about what should be their destiny. Slick production, a strong balance of bops and ballads and, most importantly, striking vocals and an awareness of how to play to each band member's strengths – this is a solid introduction to a group that wishes to be taken credibly as the next big boy band.

Although their very solid reworking of 'N Sync's Bye Bye Bye sadly fails to make the cut, there is a rather lush take on Djo's End of Beginning thrown into the mix that really does demonstrate that this is a boyband unafraid of taking big tunes and making them their own. Although opening track and official lead single, Run My Way, was derided at the point of release for being a One Direction carbon copy that stalled in the charts, it actually stands its ground and could take on a new life after the release of the EP, as it does deserve to be a behemoth pop anthem.

That being said, it is not the strongest cut on a very impressive debut. Recent single Infinity (123) is definitely a contender for summer anthem 2027, while On Your Side and Angel really show that balladry could become the group's defining sound.

There is a lot of pressure on December 10 for this EP to land big, and it is distinctive enough to make those waves. Time alone will tell if they sink or float, but there is no denying that once again Cowell has compiled an act with world-class potential.