Music mogul Simon Cowell's latest venture, the seven-piece boyband December 10, has sent fans into a frenzy with the release of their debut single, Run My Way. The track, which premiered on Friday, marks the first official offering from the group formed through Cowell's new Netflix series, The Next Act.
A Multi-Talented Ensemble
The band comprises Cruz Lee-Ojo (19), Danny Bretherton (17), Hendrick Christoffersen (19), John Fadare (17), Josh Olliver (17), Nicolas Alves (16), and Sean Hayden (19). Beyond their vocal abilities, the members are accomplished musicians, collectively playing fourteen instruments. Cruz leads on percussion, Nicolas and Danny play guitar, Josh handles guitar and drums, Hendrik masters guitar, bass, and piano, Seán plays guitar, piano, and harmonica, while John contributes clarinet and piano.
London Adventure in Music Video
Accompanying the single is an action-packed music video filmed across various London locations, showcasing the boys' energetic day out in the capital. This visual release follows the band's successful sell-out of their Introducing! live tour dates across the UK and Ireland, scheduled to commence in Glasgow on February 16 and conclude in Dublin on February 22.
Fan Reception and Critical Context
Despite The Next Act facing criticism from reviewers who labelled it a rehash of familiar formats, fans have enthusiastically embraced December 10. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, flooded with praise following the single's release. Comments ranged from "This is SO good!!! I love Run My Way" to declarations that "Boybands are back in TOWN!!!" and appreciation for their instrumental prowess: "A boy band and instruments, perfect."
Building Momentum
The release builds on the momentum from last month, when December 10 debuted their first full performance with an acoustic cover of NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye, showcasing their live instrumental capabilities. Simon Cowell's track record in creating successful acts like One Direction, Little Mix, Susan Boyle, and Westlife through shows such as The X Factor and Got Talent adds significant anticipation to this new project.
The Next Act, which premiered on Netflix in December, features Cowell alongside his wife Lauren Silverman and various music industry professionals in the quest to discover the next major boyband. While the series itself received mixed reviews, the formation of December 10 and their immediate impact with Run My Way suggests Cowell may have once again identified a promising musical act poised for success.
