Carolynne Poole

As the new series of TV's The X Factor gets fully underway, amid another storm, a former contestant continues her bid to make it away from the spotlight of the talent show. Carolynne Poole's tried not once but twice on the programme, making it to the live shows on the second occasion. She has also previously been on Fame Academy. Honest about these bids to break through, the singer says she would not have been able to get this far without those appearances. She doesn't see them as failures and her argument makes sense, seeing them as a vehicle to up her profile.

Poole's problem on The X Factor may have been timing more than anything. Given the exploitative nature of the show and its love of a good music bandwagon, you won't be surprised to see someone singing Country on this year's show and doing very well. Five or six years ago The Shires and Ward Thomas hadn't happened and Country was very much still uncool. It has not quite released itself from the shackles of Dolly Parton but pop music is currently littered with Country influences (take a bow Taylor Swift of course).

Here Poole gives a firm nod to her love of the likes of Shania Twain and not just in sound. On the cover she even looks a lot like Canada's Country Queen. Standing On Top Of The World is one of those pop ballads that huddles girls together and says 'stuff you' as she reflects on being released from a relationship. It's a cracking song, co-written by Poole and Paul Jones, Katherine Owens and Dai Smith. Her timing maybe better with this release and given a mainstream radio support, this could be that big breakthrough she desires.