Britain loves an underdog, and I am no exception. So I have to admit, I am delighted that the Girls Aloud member that suffered years of being called ‘the ugly one’ and ‘the miserable one’ is now, by a long mile, the coolest one. Sure, Cheryl Cole was annoyingly dubbed the ‘nation’s sweetheart’ for a while, and managed to release a few successful, albeit terrible singles, and sure, Nadine Coyle had the strongest voice and the longest legs, but look at them now. I doubt Diplo, Switch or Metronomy would be lining up to work with either of them anytime soon. Ever since Nicola ditched the fake tan and embraced her porcelain skin and ginger hair, she has emerged as the glowing light in Girls Aloud. Now she’s confirmed her credentials with an absolutely perfect electro-pop début single. She’s inviting us to dance to the beat of her drum, and I for one, cannot resist the offer.
Beat of My Drum, produced by Diplo and Switch, unsurprisingly has hints of M.I.A., and of Justice. It’s fun, it’s catchy, it’s hip, it’s current and it’s incredibly addictive. ‘Oh, don’t it make your heart go wild/How I’ve turned this whole thing round?’ she croons, every bit as nonchalant and understated as she’s always been, except now everyone is noticing her. In answer to your question Nicola, yes it does. Oh, and the video is amazing, she undoubtedly has swagger- I L.O.V.E it! I’d love to know what her earlier critics are thinking now, and I can’t wait for the album.
