Cheryl returns after four years with new single
Cheryl has her eyes set on a pop career again. The former Girls Aloud member and X Factor UK judge took some time away from releasing music. Her most recent album Only Human came out back in 2014 and gave her the (questionable) hit singles ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ and ‘I Don’t Care’. In the mean time she ended her marriage with Jean-Bernard Fernandes-Versini, started a relationship with Liam Payne and has a child with him, but their love did not last either. Cheryl looks back on the tumultuous years in her love life on the brand new single ‘Love Made Me Do It’.

Cheryl’s new tune is produced by The Invisible Men and composed by a team of writers including Cheryl herself, former band mate Nicola Roberts and British pop star Natasha Bedingfield. In terms of sound it is more understated than most of Cheryl’s earlier work. The toned down yet detailed production reminds me of the style pop stars like Julia Michaels and Sweden’s Tove Styrke have found success with. ‘Love Made Me Do It’ flows well and has some decent hooks, but if I am honest it does not scream lead single to me. Of course the meaning behind the lyrics cleverly cashes in on whatever is being said about her in the press and her unapologetic attitude shines through in the lyrics: “I’m not gonna justify, why I wanna change my mind, cause I’m a lover, not a hater, sure as hell won’t take no blame for my behaviour”.

In interviews Cheryl has been honest and humble about her chances at a hit these days. She said that streaming has become way more important and that she has to wait and see how her track will perform there, before she makes any decision about the release of a potential album. It seems like she has a fresh, relaxed perspective on her music career and although ‘Love Made Me Do It’ is not the most memorable track as comeback single, I predict there still to be enough attention for her to at least score a decent sized hit.