Teen makes promising debut
Britain's Cher Lloyd gained fame after placing fourth in the reality singing contest The X-Factor in 2010.
Most R & B, hip hop and pop fans will like her varied debut album, Sticks + Stones. The 10 tracks include some good collaborations, most notably with Busta Rhymes on Grow Up and Mike Posner on With Ur Love.
The first single off the album, the electro- and dubstep-heavy Jagger Swagger, will make you get up and dance.
In Want U Back, the anger in Lloyd's voice is clear, accompanied by an irate background growl, as she sings about a former boyfriend who has moved on: 'Remember all the things that you and I did first/ And now you're doing them with her.'
With Ur Love shows instead a happy, loving side of Lloyd that's infectious: 'I feel like I'm on top of the world with your love.'
Swedish-American pop-rockers Carolina Liar harmonise well with Lloyd on Beautiful People, a slow, calmer song with guitars, piano and drums. It is one of my favourite numbers on the album.
Overall, this is a good debut effort from the 18-year-old. She's got some way to go to become a real star, but the potential for greatness is certainly there.
