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Something New (Girls Aloud song)

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"Something New"
Song

"Something New" is a single by English-Irish group Girls Aloud. Produced by their longtime collaborator Xenomania. The song premiered on Capital FM on 16 October 2012 and was released via digital download on 18 November 2012. The track was the first release by the girl group in over three years after they announced their hiatus in 2009. It was the first single to be taken from the group's second greatest hits compilation, Ten, and served as the official 2012 Children in Need single. An accompanying music video to the single was filmed in early October 2012, and released on 19 October 2012.

The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics, who complimented the song's unusual structure, as well as the lyrical content, with most comparing it to girl power and feminist-themed songs by Beyoncé and the Spice Girls. However, some critics dismissed the vocals as being distorted and shout-like.

Background and release

"Something New" was Girls Aloud's first single since 2009's "Untouchable". After signing a three-album deal with Fascination Records in February 2009, the group announced in July 2009 that they would be taking a year long hiatus to peruse solo projects, and returning in 2010 with a new studio album, which failed to happen. In August 2012, Cheryl Cole confirmed after months of speculation that Girls Aloud's reunion would occur in November.[1] A few days later on 31 August, Cole confirmed to BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM that the girls' new single would be released in November, teasing the lyrics "I just wanna dance".[2]

Prior to the single's announcement the group's official website, a countdown appeared a week beforehand, fuelling speculation started by Cole in August.[3] The single was officially announced on 19 October 2012, with all five members of Girls Aloud appearing at a press conference announcing the single to the public.[4] Fans were then able to pre-order the song on iTunes starting 20 October 2012, where they will be able to receive an exclusive download with the song.[5] The single premiered on the UK radio station Capital FM on 16 October 2012.[6]

Reception

Critical response

"Something New" was compared to the songs of the Spice Girls.

"Something New" received general praise from critics. Susana Novo Vázquez of the Huffington Post praised the song's unusual structure as well as the production, commenting that "Something New" continues Girls Aloud's trendsetting music. She felt the song and its lyrics are a "complete declaration of intentions, a reminder of who is finally coming back and reclaiming their more than deserved throne."[7] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy stated that the song was "modern enough," but didn't "compromise their signature sound." He also, like Susana, praised the unusual structure calling it "typical of a good Girls Aloud song." He dismissed the vocals as being "distorted" and "shout-like."[8] Issy Sampson of the Daily Mirror praised the lyrical content, comparing the lyrics to Beyoncé's "Run The World (Girls)" (2011). She also noted the heavy presence of member Cheryl Cole on the track, though Nadine Coyle takes lead vocal on the entire track.[9] Michael Cragg of The Guardian called the song "utterly thrilling," noting the influence of the past hits by the group, but adding that the song managed to sound fresh. He also praised the chorus, calling it "brilliantly effortless."[10] Rebecca Twomey of Marie Claire, praised the song's production, calling it "slick" and compared the song to Cheryl Cole's single "Call My Name". She also praised the "empowering" lyrics, noting the song is in "classic Girls Aloud style"[11] Katy Brand of The Daily Telegraph complimented the feminist lyrics, comparing them to fellow UK girl group the Spice Girls and their songs from the 1990s, noting, "Here they were again, five good looking, successful women telling us how to accomplish the holy grail of all feminist movements - control." However, upon reviewing the accompanying video, Brand expressed discomfort, stating that, "the images weren't quite matching the words," adding "I couldn't tell which was which - they were pretty robots."[12]

Commercial performance

"Something New" became Girls Aloud's twenty-first top ten single in the United Kingdom, the single debuted at number-two on the UK Singles Chart behind Olly Murs' "Troublemaker".[13] It also peaked at number 4 in Ireland.

Music video

File:Girls Aloud are Something New.jpg
Girls Aloud wearing the same dress in the music video.

Directed by Ray Kay, the music video for "Something New" was filmed in October 2012[14] and premiered on Girls Aloud's VEVO account on 19 October 2012. The fast-paced video features a mixture of black-and-white and colored shots. The video showcases each member in a separate set-up - based around a triangle-enthused backdrop, while being accentuated by a projection of light. These shots are primarily beauty shots, with the band singing, while dancing alone. Super-imposed are shots of the band together, which were released a little earlier than the completed video for promotion. The bridge, a solo by Sarah Harding, features her sitting in front of a white background, wearing a nude bodysuit while abstract images are projected onto her. These show the girls in matching orange tulip dresses, shot against a black-and-white stripe background and strutting in slow-motion. The video is spliced with stylized lyrics of the song, and builds throughout, until the last section, where the band abandon their various stages of walking and begin to dance together.

Live performances

The group performed "Something New" for the first time live on 16 November 2012, as part of Children in Need 2012,[15] alongside Ten album track "Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me".[16] The performance featured a countdown of 10 before the stage opened to reveal them. They were wearing the same orange dresses as in the music video. The group also performed the song, as part of the Wembley special of Strictly Come Dancing, shown on 18 November 2012.[17]

Formats and track listings

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 4
Scotland (OCC)[22] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[23] 2

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom October 16, 2012 Radio premiere Polydor
November 19, 2012 CD single, digital download, vinyl
Worldwide Digital download

References

  1. ^ "Cheryl Cole confirms Girls Aloud Reunion will be in November 2012". Music Eyz.
  2. ^ "Cheryl confirms new Girls Aloud single". josepvinaixa.com. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Something New: Girls Aloud unveil comeback track". independent.co.uk. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  4. ^ Ellie (19 October 2012). "Girls Aloud announce tour and unveil Something New video, we faint from excitement". uk.omg.yahoo.com. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Girls Aloud Official Website". Polydor Records. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Girls Aloud's New Song 'Something New' To Get First Play On Capital FM Today". captialfm.com. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  7. ^ Susana Novo Vázquez (16 October 2012). "Girls Aloud Are Back With Something New". huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  8. ^ Robert Copsey (16 October 2012). "Girls Aloud's new single 'Something New': First listen". digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  9. ^ Issy Sampson (21 October 2012). "Girls Aloud are back! Listen to Something New here, plus the first review". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  10. ^ Michael Cragg (16 October 2012). "New music: Girls Aloud – Something New". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  11. ^ Rebecca Twomey (17 October 2012). "FIRST LISTEN: GIRLS ALOUD'S NEW SONG, SOMETHING NEW". marieclaire.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  12. ^ Katy Brand (20 October 2012). "Katy Brand: Girls Aloud new single is not so new". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  13. ^ "Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |acessdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Catch-up TV, Entertainment, News, Sport, Soaps and all your favourite Irish and International shows from TV3". Tv3.ie. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  15. ^ "Girls Aloud: "Something New"". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  16. ^ Sheridan, Emily (16 November 2012). "It's so special to be back together: Girls Aloud cement their reunion as they perform on Children In Need". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  17. ^ Sheridan, Emily (18 November 2012). "Shiny Disco Balls: Girls Aloud look just like glitterball trophies as they perform on Strictly Come Dancing". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  18. ^ "Something New CD Single". Universal Music. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  19. ^ "Something New 7" Vinyl". Universal Music. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  20. ^ "Something New (Remixes) - EP". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  21. ^ "Chart Track: Week 47, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.


External links

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