Little Mix return with Jess Glynne co-write and Nicki Minaj feature
Little Mix is a pretty consistent pop act. The British girl group has released an album almost every November since they started in 2012. Last November it was a re-release of their 2016 record Glory Days, but now a whole new era seems to be starting. The girls joined Cheat Codes on their single ‘Only You’ in June and now it is time for the proper lead single. They recorded the tune ‘Woman Like Me’, featuring a rap verse by Nicki Minaj. The track was written by Jess Glynne, Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac and initially meant for Glynne’s Always In Between record (also out today), but she decided to give away as it was no longer in line with the sound of her album. Does it suit the girls though?

Where the Cheat Codes collaboration ‘Only You’ seemed to be inspired by the sound of Rita Ora’s ‘Anywhere’, ‘Woman In Me’ sounds like it was produced with Ariana Grande’s ‘Side To Side’ (which of course also had a Nicki Minaj feature) in mind. The track has a similar laidback rhythm with some reggae vibes going on. All four girls sound more mature, mostly using the lower register of their vocals in a confident and sensual manner, but that is about the only progress we get to hear. ‘Woman Like Me’ has a decent enough chorus, but at the same time the tune offers nothing new and certainly does not top the Ariana Grande track it seems to be based on. As for Nicki Minaj, she might want to consider saying ‘no’ a bit more often when it comes to guest starring on pop tracks. Of course turning down the money (which she loves to rap about every single time) might be the issue, but every feature starts to sound the same to these ears. ‘Woman Like Me’ is a serviceable lead single which will probably be a decent sized hit, but Little Mix can do and has done better.

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