In The Beginning, There Was Nothing – Thoughts on Promise This

After releasing the mediocre 3 Words LP and undergoing some major dramas in her life (the divorce with Chelsea player Ashley Cole, the bout with malaria, and her decision to not let Gamu strut her vocals in the live stages of X-Factor), Cheryl Cole is back with Promise This, the lead single off her sophomore LP Messy Little Raindrops (which has a very horrible album artwork).

The repetition of the word ‘alouette’ that one immediately hears once the track starts is surprisingly infectious. Promise This is not an amazing single after the first play. However, after two to four plays, the single is going to grow on the listener. It is catchy which is important for a pop single. The verses are very singable because one does not have to exert much vocal power just to follow Cheryl. The single is produced by Wayne Wilkins, the man responsible for Fight For This Love and Promise This is much better than the aforementioned single.

Admittedly, I have played Promise This lots of times more than its competitor (which will be discussed later). It does not necessarily mean however that it is actually better. However, the production touches in the single are worthy to be noticed like the subtle piano and the whole electronic vibe in the track. Overall, a good way to jumpstart Cheryl’s sophomore LP. The track can certainly withstand lots of radio play and retain its edge.

You Make Me Lose My Control – Thoughts on Insatiable

This is it. As I have said when a snippet of Insatiable was released for public consumption, “salvation has arrived.” Who would love that Cheryl Cole was the only member of Girls Aloud who has a solo career? People would love to hear what the other members can do in their own ways and here comes Nuhdeen with Insatiable. Finally, someone comes to challenge Cheryl Cole’s solo material, I thought.

Insatiable is produced by Guy Chambers who has done lots of work with Robbie Williams. On a good note, Insatiable does not use any auto-tuning help to ‘enhance’ the overall listening experience. Nuhdeen can certainly belt it out. No doubt about that. Insatiable pretty much convinces us she has those so-called ‘power vocals.’

The instrumentation is lovely as well. Hearing those horns, edgy guitars, and drums mesh well definitely did wonders to the track. Nuhdeen does not hop onto the bandwagon of making a danceable track which sounds like it came from the hands of a certain man named David Guetta and instead gives us a product that induces fresh air into our senses.

Overall, this is a single that needs to be played a lot on the radio just to gain a following. It’s not as radio-friendly as many people would have thought. It is not as singable as Promise This due to the presence of those high notes that only a few could reach and sing properly. Production-wise, Insatiable is top-notch and Nuhdeen has done whatever is necessary to make a proper debut single as a solo artist.

Call The Shots – The Winner

Sorry I had to make use of a Girls Aloud track that I really love for the closing arguments. Though Cheryl’s Promise This is more radio-friendly and more danceable than Nuhdeen’s Insatiable, I am siding with the latter. At times, songs are not just about commercial value but rather the talent that is actually embedded in the released material. Insatiable definitely showcases more talent from Nadine Coyle. Promise This may be good but it does not reach the caliber of Insatiable – though it (Promise This) is much better than most of the material in Cheryl’s 3 Words LP.