Sirens (Cher Lloyd song)
"Sirens" | |
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Song |
"Sirens" is a song by British singer-songwriter Cher Lloyd. It premiered on 14 March 2014 and received its first airplay on the same date. It is the second international single of her forthcoming second studio album Sorry I'm Late (2014). The single released on 17 March 2014 alongside the pre-order of the album.[1] "Sirens" was lauded by music critics, with many praising the song's mature sound, Lloyd's vocals, and also noting the change in direction from Lloyd's previous work.
Background and release
Lloyd announced on 8 March 2014 that "Sirens" would be the second single from her upcoming album Sorry I'm Late. The single was premiered through U.S radio station Sirius XM Radio on March 14, 2014, with the track releasing on iTunes on 17 March as part of the pre-order package for her upcoming album. After stating that a music video would be released in the near future, Lloyd went on to describe the track as "teary, emotional and fearless", and labelled it as one of the best songs she has produced. The single is believed to be an attempt to break back into the U.K market after an almost three year break.
Critical reception
Immediately after its release, "Sirens" received general acclaim from professional music critics, with many praising Lloyd's vocals, noting her change in direction and the song's mature sound, with comparison to Lloyd's earlier work. 4 Music labelled the track "an absolute banger" and then went on to say that "The former X Factor star has already began cracking the American market with her previous album and with her latest offering – a catchy ballad with heart and soul – a massive break seems inevitable. It's a new turn for the singer, less bubble gum and more grown-up pop. Swagger Jagger is a distant memory, Cher's back in town and she's ready to make her mark!".[2] Online site ANDPOP stated that the song "will move you" and that it will "hit the heart", further labeling it "amazing".[3] EntertainmentWise praised Lloyd's "impressive belty vocals" and stated that the song is an opportunity to "glimpse at her softer side".[4] Sugarscape awarded the song 10/10 calling it "ridiculously amazing" and "quite incredible indeed".[5]
Idolator also praised the track, saying "The production is pretty standard pop fare, with a few hints of electronics whooshing in and out, but everything evaporates for the first bars of its truly triumphant chorus, before it all swoops back in to lift the vocals even higher. The swagger jagger is definitely back" and further stating that the song was "worth the wait".[6] Online site MuuMuse also heavily praised the song, stating "Striding into the speakers on a gentle guitar strum, Lloyd drops the swag shtick and supplies us instead with a full-bodied, super grown up midtempo power ballad of mega-proportions: That chorus is just, like, whooooooosh!" and further called the track "massive and glorious". They ended their review by saying "You’ll be putting this one on repeat, that’s for sure".[7] PopJustice also called the song "Very good indeed. Like, properly good".[8]
Music video
The music video for "Sirens" premiered on Lloyd's Vevo account on 29th April 2014. In the video, Lloyd plays a woman whose husband has become involved in drugs, showing the effect that drug use can have on a family. While Lloyd's character is seen caring for the couple's young daughter, Police raid the house, arresting her partner. Lloyd then carries the evidence through the house and burns it in a barrel in the garden, soon returning to the house where she is greeted by her young daughter as they sit together on the floor. In the "Behind the Scenes" footage, Lloyd reveals that the story of the video is inspired by a similar event from her childhood, and that the young daughter in the video represents Lloyd herself at a younger age. [9] In an interview after the premiere, Lloyd revealed that the story behind the video retells an event from her childhood in which her father was arrested when she was five years old. [10]
Critical reception
Like the song itself, the music video for "Sirens" received highly positive reviews from critics, with many praising the honest story, Lloyd's emotional performance and the maturity in comparison to her previous music videos. MTV stated that the video reminded them of critically acclaimed television series Breaking Bad, going on to say that she "channels such isolation and pain" in the video and labelled it "surprising". [11] Whilst discussing the video, Idolator called Lloyd a "very grown up singer". They went on to say "The Sorry I’m Late single itself indicates that Lloyd is taking a much more mature direction with her sound — especially with the soaring, triumphant chorus. But the video takes the whole affair to a more emotional level". [12] Daily Mail stated "Cher Lloyd leaves the pop diva behind once and for all as she breaks down in tears in emotional video for new track Sirens". They further go on to call the video "stunning and emotive" and stated that it "explores a more mature look and sound". [13] Yahoo labelled the video "one heck of an emotional roller coaster" and stated that the video is a chance for Lloyd to "show of her softer side". [14] Sugarscape also praised the video, labelling it "amazing" and suggesting that "the UK's gonna be a bit like 'say whaaaaat?' when she comes back over". [15]
Live performances
On the day of the track's premier, 14 March, Sirius XM Radio also uploaded a live acoustic performance of the single. Lloyd has also confirmed that she will be performing the track live as part of Demi Lovato's Neon Lights Tour, at which Lloyd is a support act.
Commercial performance
Upon its airplay release, the song entered the New Zealand's iTunes Top 100 and Australia's Top 150, even though the song was still not released as a single in those territories yet. The song also managed to figure out in Canada's iTunes Top 200 after its release.
Track listing
- Digital Download
- "Sirens" – 3:55
Release history
Region | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
United States | 17 March 2014[16] | Digital download |
8 April 2014[17] | Top 40/Mainstream radio | |
Italy | 30 May 2014[18] | Top 40/Mainstream radio |
United Kingdom | 20 July 2014[19] | Digital download |
References
- ^ "Cher Asks Fans To Premiere Music From Her New Album Sorry I'M Late | Cher Lloyd Official". Cherlloyd.com. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Maynard, Trent. "CHER LLOYD DEBUTS NEW TRACK SIRENS".
- ^ "Cher Lloyd performs her new song 'Sirens' for the first time".
- ^ "Cher Lloyd debuts new single "Sirens" aster showing off blonde hair – LISTEN".
- ^ "Cher Lloyd premieres ridiculously amazing new single 'Sirens' - Listen".
- ^ "Cher Lloyd's "Sirens": Hear the lead single from 'Sorry I'm Late'".
- ^ ""Sirens": Cher Lloyd Rings The Alarm With Almighty New Tune". MuuMuse. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Cher Lloyd's new single 'Sirens' is now online". Popjustice. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG_fyTgJm-w
- ^ http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/cher-lloyd-reveals-the-scary-childhood-incident-her-new-video-sirens-is-based-on/tb966fuh?q=motherhood+parenting&from=en-us_msnhpvidmod&rel=msn&cpkey=240101d3-3d3d-f8b7-59d1-94e454adb252%257cmotherhood%2Bparenting%257cmsn%257c%257c
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/1817645/cher-lloyd-sirens-video/
- ^ http://www.idolator.com/7516114/cher-lloyd-sirens-video
- ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2615763/Cher-Lloyd-breaks-tears-emotional-video-stunning-new-track-Sirens.html
- ^ https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/gossip/omg/cher-lloyd-bursts-into-tears-in-emosh-video-for--sirens-one-big-cry-fest-150145510.html
- ^ http://www.sugarscape.com/main-topics/music/1035715/cher-lloyd-premieres-dark-and-dramatic-new-sirens-music-video-watch
- ^ "Cher Asks Fans To Premiere Music From Her New Album Sorry I'M Late | Cher Lloyd Official". Cherlloyd.com. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Future Releases on Mainstream Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
- ^ http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/62385
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Sirens - Single by Cher Lloyd". Itunes.apple.com. 28 July 1993. Retrieved 15 April 2014.