The Pussycat Dolls return with new single ‘React’ after 10 year hiatus
Who would have thought I’d be writing a Pussycat Dolls single review in 2020!? Five out of six of the line up that had hit after hit in 2005-2009 decided to put their differences aside and reunite (only Melody Thornton did not return). They performed at the British X Factor at the end of last year and announced a UK tour. The fact that they performed part of comeback single ‘React’ in November already and waited until February to actually release it, is a lackluster roll-out and would not even have worked in 2005, but we can forgive them as the studio version of ‘React’ is fire!

When you hear a band like The Pussycat Dolls decides to come back after ten years, you might wonder if they can ‘get with the times’ and make sure they don’t sound out of place in today’s charts. The simple answer is that they don’t sound out of place at all. ‘React’ is a proper bop… a banger even! The production is tight and leans more towards dance than R&B and the drop over which the dolls are basically panting, makes more of an impact with each time it comes around. Of course vocally, Nicole Scherzinger takes the lead (she is the only doll who co-wrote the tune as well) and she sounds as fabulous as ten years ago. The lyrics are about being with a man who is too sweet and seems to do everything for his lover, while the dolls want more confrontation. They decide to provoke a reaction with him. I for one can’t relate, but hey, I never listened to the Pussycat Dolls for their life changing lyrics anyway.

The music video surely is The Pussycat Dolls at their finest. Of course Scherzinger takes most of the spotlight, but it is hard to take your eyes off her either way. The choreography is stunning and the settings with the water and fire make for perfect backdrops. I am not sure if the audience is anticipating their comeback enough for this to become a hit, but I am certainly here for it!