Artist: Chantal Hayes
Song: "Misfit"
Album: TBA
Label: Safe Haven Records
Review from Culture Uncut
One third of GirlSpice Chantal Hayes is back, continuing her launch as a solo pop star with her second release since going at it alone. Following the surprise success of "Worry No More", the star's debut single which hit number one, it's likely that Chantal's label Safe Haven Records will be taking her a lot more seriously; knowing now that she's a viable act to invest in, even without her bandmates Nadia and Sophia, who have both previously seen chart success for their solo work. Speaking of the release of her new single, Chantal stated, "It took a lot for me to get to this stage. The label weren't quite expecting my debut to be so big... which I fully expected, because I believe in myself and my music. So there was this sudden frenzy to put an album together, whereas before it was very relaxed and I was just going into record whenever I wanted to. Now I've had all this money thrown at me to make this record, rightfully so, so I can make it the best album possible for everyone. I really do think it'll be the very best of 2016."
Confident within her abilities, Chantal surely knows how to believe in herself and say what ever's on her mind, and her brand new single "Misfit" sums up the headstrong star in a short, punchy pop track that clocks at just over 3 minutes. Its sassy, slightly bitchy nature that comes across within the lyrics is exactly what we expect to hear from a solo Chantal song, with lines like "I ain't gotta do as you say, no / When I'm the main attraction" and "Turns out the best things in life are free / No more paying for your shit, no more living off of me". The song makes it seem like this guy she's dealing with is nothing but a user, but ultimately, it's a fun, feisty track that's about not letting a past relationship weigh you down. Instead of singing about how sad she is to have broken up, Chantal sings proudly about being a "messed up misfit", joyful over the breakup and welcoming this newly found single life with open arms.
While the song itself may be more predictable than the anthemic pop-rock nature of debut "Worry No More" with its upbeat, racing synths that sees Chantal turn into a full-blown dance-pop star for the first time since going solo, it's still a well-crafted track that one can easily imagine being hammered on radio in early 2016. Less unique and maybe even a little dated in sound, perhaps, but let's face it, Chantal was never going to be the new deep, powerhouse star on the scene with emotional lyrics and a guitar in hand. She knows what she's good at and what works for her, and she's happily stuck to it. Though it'll be nice to hear some more of those pop rock influences that we heard on her debut when her album finally comes. Don't let us down, Chantal!
"Misfit"Sounds like:
Think I'm only here for you, well breaking news
You must be confused, cause you never had me to lose
I ain't gotta do as you say, no
When I'm the main attraction
I ain't gotta listen to you, no
Just for your satisfaction
Phone me up and I cut the call
Leave a message and I'll never get it
Yeah, I don't think you get it, get it
I get what I want and what I don't want is you, no
Pushed me hard, now I'm comin' back up, up
Yeah, I don't think you get it, get it
So I'll scream it out loud
I'm blocking you out, blocking you out
Finger on the trigger, I bite the bullet
Locked and loaded, aim it and shoot it
Just like a messed up misfit
I'm fired up like a cannonball
Pushed me hard, now I'm breakin' down the walls
Just like a messed up misfitThought I'd be crying, begging down on my knees
And that I'd be hurting when you deserted me
Turns out the best things in life are free
No more paying for your shit, no more living off of me
Now you run your mouth
And while I'm on the up, you're goin' down, down
Meaningless apologies I expected, now you're runnin' back for more
But you know where's the door
And there ain't no second go
So just go, woah, oh, just go
Phone me up and I cut the call
Leave a message and I'll never get it
Yeah, I don't think you get it, get it
I get what I want and what I don't want is you, no
Pushed me hard, now I'm comin' back up, up
Yeah, I don't think you get it, get it
So I'll scream it out loud
I'm blocking you out, blocking you out
Finger on the trigger, I bite the bullet
Locked and loaded, aim it and shoot it
Just like a messed up misfit
I'm fired up like a cannonball
Pushed me hard, now I'm breakin' down the walls
Just like a messed up misfitNow you've caused all this trouble
And what we made is in the rubble
I rise from the ashes like a deadly phoenix
You used to bring the fire and now I breathe it
Cause after the storm it's always calm
Until you're back in my palm
(x2)Finger on the trigger, I bite the bullet
Locked and loaded, aim it and shoot it
Just like a messed up misfit
I'm fired up like a cannonball
Pushed me hard, now I'm breakin' down the walls
Just like a messed up misfit