Former Westlife star Markus Feehily says his debut solo album Fire was inspired by both his break-up with his boyfriend of seven years and his thoughts following his 15 years in Westlife.
Fire is released on October 16 and Feehily has described the album as "the complete polar opposite of Westlife."
"You might think someone who’s had a 15-year career in music would think they’ve done it all,” he says. “But I feel there’s so much I want to do that I haven’t done yet. That idea makes me feel as young as I did when I was starting out in Westlife. I’m really driven. I’m excited. And I’m ready to stand up and take charge.”
Feehily moved to LA and worked with producers including Mojam (Emeli Sande, Sam Smith), Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding and Sigma, Ella Henderson), Jakwob (Kyla La Grange, Little Simz) and Nexus (Lana Del Rey, Hurts).
“Calling my album Fire is a two sided thing," he says. "Fire represents the dark times I went through while writing the album, but also my actual song Fire from the deluxe album is about finding new love and having the strength to pull through the tough times. So it has both positive and negative sides to it just like actual fire.”
