Perrie Edwards at the Gibrlatar Music Festival in 2015.

Jennifer Cartwright

Some may see the girl group as the long-term audition for the solo record deal, practising the art of performance before the music gods deem you stage-ready to stand alone.

But Little Mix were far more than four solo projects in waiting. In their decade long-run, they smashed records with hit after hit. As the first-ever girl band to win Best British Group at the Brit Awards, Little Mix was in it for the long haul together.

“‘Forget About Us’ begins to define Perrie as a soloist while still leaving her future artistic identity open”

Now, since Jesy’s departure in 2020 and the group’s hiatus in 2022, Perrie is the third Little Mix member to venture into the realm of solo music. But her debut comes with a weighty burden of expectation. In an industry that already places women artists in competition with each other, Perrie faces a unique challenge: comparison to her former bandmates and their joint discography.

A Strong Debut

However, Perrie does not disappoint with her debut track.

In ‘Forget About Us’, the South Shields star reintroduces herself to her audience with a stripped-back track and a beachy lyric video. The laid-back verses, a testament to Ed Sheeran’s influence on the track, gradually warm up to the anthemic chorus which gets punchier with each repetition.

As a whole, the debut reminds you of an early summer day: the belts and ad-libs are rays of sunshine accompanied by a gentle acoustic breeze. In other words, April is the perfect month to release this song.

A Little Mix Of Everything

Teased on TikTok for weeks before its release, ‘Forget About Us’ might already be stuck in your head.

The track is an eclectic mix and match of styles and moods. Pop diva meets country. Heartbreak meets an upbeat tempo. Reminiscent of the Sugababes’ ‘About You Now’ (2007) or even a few of Little Mix’s old hits, ‘Forget About Us’ is a bittersweet breakup bop. In a perfect paradox, Perrie smiles while singing about sadness.

‘Forget About Us’ is imbued with an enjoyable relatability. With lyrics such as “Do you remember the way we fell / like everything froze with just one glance,” we experience the full course of a vague relationship which could apply to Perrie’s life or our own. The lines aren’t poetry, but in a happy heartbreak song they don’t need to be: this is the space for loveable cliches about borrowed hoodies and passenger seat rides.

In an interview with NME, Perrie noted that “I wanted vocal moments and moments where I could just be lost in the song” in her debut track. Her strong vocals, already known by fans, empower this song to reach its full satisfying potential. And by releasing an acapella version alongside the single, Perrie and her team make it known.

With its infectious melody, you’ll find yourself easily singing along – even if you can’t quite hit Perrie’s high notes.

What’s Next For Perrie?

‘Forget About Us’ begins to define Perrie as a soloist while still leaving her future artistic identity open.

Her album does not yet have a release date but Perrie has hinted at a songwriting collaboration with record-breaking R&B star RAYE and even a feature of her son Axel on a track, leaving much to look forward to.

It will be exciting to see what else Perrie has up her sleeve but, for now, one thing is for sure: ‘Forget About Us’ is a debut to remember.

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Featured image courtesy of InfoGibraltar via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the image. Image licence found here.

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