Little Mix - “Confetti” Review
Little Mix has solidified their status as one of the biggest girl groups of all time over the past few years, and they are back with their sixth studio album, “Confetti.”
The album plays to Little Mix’s strength, and it is overall their most cohesive body of work to date.
“Confetti” opens with “Break Up Song,” an 80s synth-pop kiss-off anthem that reminisces the group’s earlier single “Shout Out To My Ex” and Carly Rae Jepson’s “Emotion.” It’s a great and fun opener, and the synthesizers bring a nostalgic element to the song.
Much like their previous album “LM5,” Little Mix incorporates different musical elements in the album. “Holiday” is house music inspired dance track with another big, sing-along chorus. “Sweet Melody” has Latin influences and reggaeton beats. “Gloves Up” reminisces of their earlier work, such as “Power” and “Salute,” with the electronic production and Perrie Edward’s signature powerful belts.
“Not a Pop Song” name drops their former boss, Simon Cowell, and his label Syco. The group has been very vocal about their mistreatment in the past by Syco and Cowell before they switched to their new label RCA last year.
The lyrics include, “I don't do what Simon says/Be a puppet on a string/Works for you but that isn't me.” The savvy lyrics can be compared to “Wasabi,” another song that appears on “LM5,” although it may not be as creative in terms of the production choices.
“Rendezvous” and “If You Want My Love” contain early 2000s R&B elements that drew inspiration from 90s and 2000s girl groups such as TLC and the Pussycat Dolls.
The group’s gorgeous harmonies and vocal versatility are really shown on these songs, especially in the gospel ballad, “My Love Won't Let You Down,” where it's just a piano and the group’s glorious harmonies.
Most of the lyrical content on this album did not stray from their signature female empowerment and independence, but it did not hit quite as hard as “LM5.” The productions weren’t exactly revolutionary for the group either, however, Little Mix proved in “Confetti” that they know how to make well-composed pop songs.
The group’s impeccable harmonies, powerhouse vocals and well-polished pop productions carry the album. “Confetti” lives up to its title by celebrating four confident women finally finding their places and their voices, and the album is everything that a mainstream pop album needed to be. It has all the popular trends in modern pop music, the 80s synth pop, Latin pop and a little bit of R&B.
Although “Confetti” isn’t anything groundbreaking for the group, it proves that Little Mix’s defiance to allow the industry to break them apart is truly their biggest strength.
“No one can tell us what to do anymore,” said one of the members, Jade Thirlwall.
Rating: 7/10
Reviewers favorite songs: “Break Up Song,” “Sweet Melody,” “Gloves Up”
Reviewers least favorite songs: "Nothing But My Feelings"
Jimmy (Chien-Hsing) Lu is a senior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jfl5603@psu.edu
