I Reviewed Little Mix’s “Confetti” After One Listen, Here Are My Thoughts
Samantha Colleran, November 2020
Confetti album cover. Genius
Little Mix’s sixth studio album, Confetti, is officially here! I stayed up to listen to the entire album from top to bottom, and was not disappointed by the thirteen tracks I listened to. Similar to my Orville Peck Show Pony review, this is my first time listening to all of these songs, apart from singles, and I will be giving you my first impression on each track after one listen. Some non single tracks were released ahead of the initial album, but I tried my best to avoid those releases until today so I would have more to review! In tracklist order, it’s time to enter the world of Confetti!
1. Break Up Song*
This song was the lead single from Confetti, and it’s still just as solid as it was when it was first released. It has an 80s pop feel. The vocals in the chorus are angelic. The chorus is strong and I found myself singing silently along. I forgot how good this one is! “For all the times they screwed us over/ Let it play on”, it’s triumphant and a reminder that you don’t need a significant other to have a good time. Jade carries the bridge with such ease and effort. Amazing lead single.
2. Holiday*
The second single, which I actually wrote about this summer, “Holiday” is still sweet sounding and an all around a great summer tune. It’s summer love, and it makes me long for the constant warm weather again. Their voices are sweet and fit the tone of the song perfectly. Harmonies are incredible as usual. Again, I find myself dancing along and mouthing the words like I’m at a Little Mix concert (which is a statement I hope will come true in the future).
3. Sweet Melody*
The final video before the album release, “Sweet Melody” is one of my least favorites upon first listen if I’m honest. It’s incredibly catchy, but something about it doesn’t hit me the way the first two did. I love the chorus, the vocals are strong. The metaphor of the lover(s) in question “play[ing]” and “make[ing]” the girls believe he truly loved them ties in with the title in a clever way. Leigh Anne’s voice stands out the most to me on the track, she saves it and makes it more interesting. Overall a good song but not a standout to me. Also a little nod to “Tiny Dancer” which made me smile!
4. Confetti
This song was released right before the album was released but I didn’t listen until my first listen through. The backing beat is catchy. Love the beat drop!!!! This sounds like a song that will have such good choreography when the girls tour again. “Should’ve left your ass a long time ago”… Simon Cowell’s Syco label or a lover? With the underlying theme in other songs of breaking free from Syco, it’s hard to tell who this is about. Either way, I love it. This song feels like a farewell statement. I’m loving Jade’s part on the bridge. Such a good party song in my opinion. The layered vocals at the end are impeccable!!
5. Happiness*
Another single dropped before the album release, I knew this song would be my favorite from the album within the first five seconds of listening to it. The lyrics are incredible, the sound feels almost like a disco track. The vocals on this track are honestly my favorite of all the prior releases. This feels like yet another girl power statement. The girls are searching for happiness, using a lover to “fill up [their] loneliness”, and once they let their lover go they can finally become who they were meant to be. They’re realizing their self worth and it’s so damn fantastic to listen to them be so free in their music. They found the love inside of themselves, they’re where they’re meant to be, and they sound wonderful like this.
6. Not A Pop Song*
I recently wrote about this song for a Sunday Sounds post, but listening to it as part of a full album feels so surreal. The lyrics still stand out and are an excellent way to say good riddance to Simon Cowell and Syco, and hello to a new management. This isn’t a typical bubblegum pop, “picture perfect” girl group or song, it’s a more mature and refined sound. The chorus is still powerful despite listening to it a few times prior to the album release. Perrie’s high note before the final chorus is so angelic, I’m obsessed with it. They truly “don’t give a what” this era and I am genuinely loving every single second of this Little Mix.
7. Nothing But My Feelings
A sad song masked by happiness which is apparent within the first couple of seconds. Okay, Leigh Anne’s voice is truly something else. Jesy sounds a bit like Britney Spears on this song and I’m loving it. Okay, this song is definitely about (look away children/adults who don’t like sexual-ish content) a booty call, and seeing it from the perspective of a woman is so, so cool and very rare in music. “I’m laying here with nothing but my feelings… Waiting for you”, the vocals on this part!!!! I love the sound of this song, and love how we see something so taboo talked about in a song sung by women! And okay, time’s up next song!
8. Gloves Up
This sounds like a grown up “DNA” or “Salute” and I have absolutely nothing bad to say. Another power anthem. The harmony on “breaking the mold” is perfection!!!! “We’ll rewrite the history pages”, I can’t stop thinking about this line up and it’s about a minute later. I truly can’t comment on anything else because that line has been on loop in my mind. It’s such a strong statement, these girls are quite literally the best in the world and have broken barriers and worked their asses off in the industry, and here they are six albums later continuously breaking the mold and rewriting girl group (and music) history. It’s not my favorite off the album, but I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.
9. A Mess (Happy For You)
Definitely a breakup song. Counting the days and weeks since you last saw your ex. “She in the same cute tee that you bought me”…. ouch. This song sounds happier than it is. It’s very much a “we broke up and I want to be happy for you but I’m secretly dying inside” type of song. It’s seeing your ex with someone who makes them happy the way you used to and trying not to get emotional. It’s masked by an upbeat backing track and a powerful Little Mix chorus I’ve grown so fond of. Why is this making me so sad? Okay wait, this bridge sounds pretty badass and I don’t feel as sad anymore. I love this song, definitely among my favorites!
10. My Love Won’t Let You Down
Oh no… a ballad that I wasn’t prepared for. I have to pause it to take a breath and collect myself. Breathe in, breathe out, okay. Play. This feels like a grown up “Change Your Life”, the girls sound like they’re singing to each other. It feels like they’re assuring each other of their friendship. When the piano drops out it hurts. It feels sudden. Okay, I definitely needed this song. Feeling lost and anxious and having someone assure you they’re there for you. It feels like a comforting hug from your favorite person after not seeing them for a long time, like coming home after a long day. This is definitely being added to my playlist of songs for hard times. “My love won’t let you down”. Thank you for the musical hug, girls. (If I shed a tear or ten while listening, no one needs to know that).
11. Rendezvous
This sounds kind of sexy. Leigh Anne’s voice sounds so smooth. Oh beat drop! Jade’s voice!!!! This song is so much lower than the girls usually sing. I’m kind of loving the mysterious and sexy vibe the girls are giving off. I love the harmonies in the chorus. The bridge!! I love Perrie’s voice here, it sounds so natural, like she doesn’t even have to try to hit the notes. I can’t stop bopping my head along to this song. This may be in my top songs as well. They’re making it hard to choose!
12. If You Want My Love
Jade’s voice breaks a little in her verse and I’m obsessed with it. Leigh Anne! Those notes! Oh. That was a loud punch into the chorus. It caught me off guard. The girls did not come to play. They’re telling their men if they want love, they need to work for it. Love and relationships can’t be one sided, and the girls of Little Mix make that point clear and- OH MY GOSH Perrie just hit the most beautiful note in the bridge. I need to pause for a second to talk about that, between the little piano bit and her voice reaching such a gorgeous high note, I’m at a loss for words. Alright, back to my thought as this badass chorus finishes out; Little Mix are not here to have their feelings played with, they want their men to treat them right, and it sends a strong message to all people in a relationship. Do not let your feelings be played with!
13. Breathe
This song feels sad and nostalgic off the bat. Definitely another break up song. “I’m still sleeping in your jumper”, my heart just broke. “How do I breathe when you’re not with me?” My heart is breaking but this beat is so wonderful. The “breathe, breathe breathe” is a nice touch. It’s longing for a lover, wondering whether you should call because you can’t live without them. “I hate that I love you”. The harmonies. These lyrics are actually hurting me, they’re making me miss an ex I’ve never had. This may seem like a sad note to end the album on, but it feels hopeful underneath it all. Yes, it’s hard to lose a lover, but you eventually learn to breathe without them and become independent again.
Sam’s Song Selection
1. “Happiness”: I love the vocals, the backing track, the lyrics, everything about this song. It feels triumphant in a subtle way. It’s letting go of someone who was bad for you, it’s finding who you are and learning to love yourself again. It’s a powerhouse track and each time I listen to it, it gets better and better.
2. “My Love Won’t Let You Down”: A beautiful ballad about being there for someone who needs it most. It’s reassuring, comforting. There’s nothing else to say except I’m so glad this song is on the album.
3. “Not A Pop Song”: This is subject to change, but for now I’m going with my gut. A statement track and one of the catchiest songs from Confetti and a strong chorus that makes me want to scream sing along.
Congratulations Little Mix on another successful release! Let’s hope this album finally catches the attention of the US music market so the girls can tour Confetti once COVID lets up! As always, if you’ve listened to this album, or even just a few songs, tell me your thoughts in the comment section! Do we have some of the same favorites? Do you agree or disagree with any of my initial reactions? Let me know below!