DNA

About

Little Mix’s rise to stardom began with their 2011 triumph on the British version of <i>The X Factor</i>—a surprising win, given that the show had traditionally overlooked girl band. But the arrival of <i>DNA</i>, the group’s smash debut album, would prove that hard-won victory had been no fluke. Released a year after the <i>X Factor</i> whirlwind, <i>DNA</i> harnessed the best elements of their small-screen performances—the eerie, stuttering pop of the title track is reminiscent of their rendition of Katy Perry’s “E.T.”—while wisely omitting the drab cover of Damien Rice’s “Cannonball,” which served as their winner’s single. Much of <i>DNA</i> finds the group members leaning heavily on their girl band forbear, with co-writing appearances from Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts (“Going Nowhere”), All Saints’ Shaznay Lewis (“How Ya Doin’?”), and TLC’s T-Boz. The result is a reboot of the early-1990s-girl-group sound pioneered by En Vogue and TLC, in which slick, watertight harmonies are augmented by off-kilter beat. <i>DNA</i>’s lead single “Wings” adopts a more-is-more approach, incorporating a thumping drumbeat, double-time handclap, and a surprise appearance from a marching band. The track may feature some trite lyrics—“And we don’t let nobody bring us down/No matter what you say, it won’t hurt me”—but it’s neutralized by sheer force of personality and powerful vocal. Elsewhere, De La Soul’s classic “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)” is repurposed to great effect on “How Ya Doin’?,” a shoulder-rolling ode to playing hard to get, one that features a guest verse from Missy Elliott. And while some of the ballad, including “Always Be Together,” stick to more predictable territory, “Going Nowhere” masterfully combines the unlikely mix of languid vocal, Spanish guitar, and punchy rap. .

via Apple Music

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