Albym: Sticks + Stones
Cher Lloyd is a contestant from the 2010 edition of The X Factor in UK. She came in fourth place, was a divisive figure during the show, and this summer released her debut single, "Swagger Jagger," which seemed to divide the British public into who loved her and who hated her. This is how I heard about her initially, and was surprised someone so young (she was 16 on the show, is 18 now) could conjure up so much venom. Regardless, I am in LOVE with her new single.
Cher is a wafer-thin thing from Malvern, Worcestershire who got the judges attention by performing "Turn My Swag On," a Soulja Boy song as done by Keri Hilson. (see audition below) The clip has become a bit of viral thing in the Susan Boyle sense, and helped build her fan base for the show. I've watched a couple of her X Factor performances, which included "Empire State of Mind," "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," and Shakespears Sister's "Stay" to name a few. She seems like a natural born performer from the start, and quite amazing in her abilities to command the stage.
In July she released "Swagger Jagger," a Black Eyed Peas/Fergie-esque dance track that despite going number 1, garnered a lot of bad press for the singer, and was written off by many pop fans in the UK... but also championed by some. And oddly, the song is all about people that don't like her. I think it's okay... and understand, given how in your face it is, that people didn't dig it. But it's catchy enough and have been enjoying rocking out to it on my commute to work.
But I really started to pay attention to this girl after hearing and seeing the video for her recently released follow-up single, he Mike Posner-guesting "With Ur Love," a Max Martin co-written and produced gem that is just pure pop bliss. She looks gorgeous in the video, the song is uplifting and catchy... the perfect antidote to all these "haters" she keeps going on about. I really love it. (You'll also be wondering if it's the same girl if you watch both videos back to back. It's really crazy.)
As an American who didn't watch her season of the show or followed her via the media through her journey, I'm not sure I'll ever get the hate that she's garnered... but it's really proof of how much expectation can influence your enjoyment of something. Regardless of all that, the song is amazing and I think she has quite the career ahead of her. I am really loving her studio version of "Stay," which was just added to the album. You can hear it here.
Enjoy.
With Ur Love
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