I will say that Beat of My Drum by Nicola Roberts is a deserving contender for 2011′s ‘Song of the Year.’ Does this sound too premature? Honestly, I do not think so.

Produced by Dimitri Tikovoi (Make A Scene by Sophie Ellis-Bextor) and Diplo (whose credits include working with M.I.A), Beat of My Drum flaunts a very crunchy yet still stylish beat that trounces most of the singles that have been released for the summer season. The influence infused by Diplo actually makes itself known with the M.I.A-esque vibe created by the beat that I described in the previous sentence.

The chorus is simply magical – showing Nicola, the quietest among all the members of Girls Aloud, shining brightly and pouncing Chezza’s 3 Words and Nadine’s Insatiable mercilessly. Nicola saying with utmost delight “L! O! V! E! Dance to the beat of my drum! Dance to the beat of drum!” just makes the aforementioned debut singles from Chezza and Nadine totally irrelevant – obviously, Beat of My Drum is miles ahead of those singles in terms of overall quality and polish. Who would have thought that Nicola Roberts can actually do amazing stuff? We all knew she had an angelic vocal thing going on when we heard Untouchable by Girls Aloud but her debut single is just drop dead gorgeous in all aspects.

If you want a single that exudes freshness all over the place, then this is absolutely the right track for you. Nicola Roberts has created a masterpiece that will surely end up being played relentlessly in the music players of the listening public. In one word, Beat of My Drum is awesome.

Better than: 3 Words
Also better than: Insatiable
Date Released: June 5, 2011
Label: Polydor Records