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Artist: GirlSpice
Album: TBA
Genre: EDM, Pop
Label: Permanent Reminder
[popstop review]
GirlSpice make an explosive return with comeback single "Strike Up the Band", taken from their upcoming tenth studio album which will be supported by a world tour, beginning this July. The synth-heavy song is GirlSpice's first release since number one single "High Class" over two years ago, also marking their first to be released with Permanent Reminder. The track covers familiar ground for the group, adding yet another upbeat EDM track to their expansive discography, paired with sexy, suggestive lyrics which the group have become famous for over the years. As live performers, the girls have always showcased well-rehearsed and complex choreography on stage that have cemented them as bonafire pop entertainers, and a song like "Strike Up the Band" goes hand-in-hand with their talents with thanks to a high-energy electronic instrumental that follows each chorus. It's the first time GirlSpice have featured such a breakdown in a song of theirs and could lend itself perfectly to the group's impressive moves. Even when Nadia has left the group multiple times in the past to become a solo indie pop sensation on her own, she feels more at home here, and we're sure she'll be able to translate the song well on stage through her sheer talent alongside Sophia and Chantal to captivate an audience.
The song begins in a chant-like style, "A one, a two, a one, two, three, four," they exclaim excitedly, their vocals layered over one another for a fuller, more rich sound. The introduction instantly kicks the song off in classic GirlSpice style, bold, noisy and unapologetic. Nadia continues the opening verse alone, her voice likely to be a welcoming sound to fans as it's been over a year since the release of her last solo album, Diamond in the Rough. Her vocals are noticably more playful and delivered a lot more seductively than what we're used to hearing from her, such as on singles "Stone Cold World" and "Homesick", but it only reminds the listener that this is in fact a GirlSpice return and it's a welcome change to hear her so full of life on record. It's unusual to hear Berry over a heavily electronic instrumental when compared to the raw, authentic sounds she opts for as a solo artist, but it only compliments Berry's diversity as an artist and the many genres she's able to lend her voice to.
Chantal doesn't go unnoticed on the song either, delivering every pre-chorus on the track. These could be considered the most essential, important parts to the song for their lighter, more pop-focused sound compared to the harder-hitting dance breakdown that follows soon after. Chantal's voice is relaxed and while the vocals she delivers aren't challenging by any means, they suit the nature of the softer moments in "Strike Up the Band" and give the listener a much needed break from its more chaotic parts. While Chantal has never had a massive part to play on some of GirlSpice's biggest hits, with Kimberly now out of the picture, it looks like she'll be getting more of a look in on the upcoming album.
Sophia, often thought to be the most vocally lacking member of GirlSpice, surprisingly takes the lead on the track as she delivers the entire second verse on her own, as well as the song's middle-eight. Stellar has risen in popularity with fans over the years and even rivalled Berry's following with two solo albums of her own, The Beauty Within and Temptation, so it's no surprise her sweet, airy vocals are being put to use more for GirlSpice's return. "You're heating me up like a radiator / Like we're laying on the equator / So let's take it to another level like an elevator" she sings softly in an enticing manner, as if she's flirting with the listener, only adding to the alluring nature of the track.
Lyrically, the title of the track could be called a double entendre after a swift first listen, it could mean exactly what it says, getting the band together, which the girls are finally doing after all these years. Or, after analysing the lyrics, it could mean (we're certain about this) the girls are using the term "strike up the band" to refer to an orgy. GASP. The start of the song implies a simple sexual relationship between two people, but the final chorus well and truly pulls the cat out of the bag. "A five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and more / Everyone's against the wall / On the floor, across the hall / And the band's on time / But you're all, all mine," the girls sing carelessly, but whoever this song is written about seems to not care about everyone else and remains focused on the one guy/girl/bandmate/whatever during this get together. Aww, how romantic... although we're not sure that makes it any better.
Overall, "Strike Up the Band" could in some ways be considered a predictable return for GirlSpice, but after 2+ years out of the game and a member down (bye Kimberly) it's a safe move to make to ensure the remaining three don't alienate their fanbase too much. However, without overthinking it too much and just enjoying the song for what it is, it's incredibly fun, silly, yet a complete club stomper that we've got our fingers crossed for to become a summer smash this year. It's a good start, but let's hope for some more variety and serious urban jams on the album that we were promised, yeah girls? Okay.
"Strike Up the Band"
Sounds like:
Nadia
Sophia
Chantal
All
A one, a two, a one, two, three, four
Then we were on the floor
No locks on the door
We ain't gotta care cause nobody else is here
So let's strike up the band, strike up the band tonight
They don't have a clue
It's a rendezvous for me and you
No audience in the show (woah!)
And they never have to know (hey!)
A five, six, seven, eight
And now it's getting late
I'm going outta my mind
And the drummer's on time
But you're all, all mine
So let's strike up the band, strike up the band tonight
[Instrumental]
Come and put pen to paper
And I'll be seeing you later
You're the music player, my only saviour
So gimme a sound for me to savour
You're heating me up like a radiator
Like we're laying on the equator
So let's take it to another level like an elevator
Now since you're staying
Let's get the music playing
With a beat, beat, beat of the drum
I'll come, make you feel the heat, heat, heat of my song
A five, six, seven, eight
And now it's getting late
I'm going outta my mind
And the drummer's on time
But you're all, all mine
So let's strike up the band, strike up the band tonight
[Instrumental]
Bring out the marchin' band for this one
Tell a friend and we can start a parade
Spread a little more of the love
Let 'em all in on this raid
Sweat's dripping as I hit the ground
So make my body spin around
Like a hurra-hurricane in the rain
And we can give 'em a clue
Twenty eyes on this in full view
They don't wanna miss a thing
So let's get the party in full swing
A five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and more
Everyone's against the wall
On the floor, across the hall
And the band's on time
But you're all, all mine
So let's strike up the band, strike up the band tonight
[Instrumental] |
  ACTIVE: Vanity x Nadia Berry |
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