Cher Lloyd – Sorry I’m Late

It’s been three years since Cher Lloyd released her debut LP Sticks + Stones, which in the music world seems like a lifetime. Following her success across the pond, she is back with her follow-up album Sorry I’m Late, that shows her more grown-up side.

This new collection contains some of her most mature works, and there are a few standout, gutsy anthems sure to show Lloyd in a different light from her “brat” days. We hear this most in Sirens, which is incredibly moving and endearing in comparison to the more upbeat and energetic songs, such as Just Be Mine and Alone With Me. It is rather refreshing to hear this emotional side from the young woman, as it is all rather sweet and heartfelt.

Lloyd’s energy, even in her slower songs, is constant throughout. Her collaboration with TI in I Wish is extremely catchy and adds a flare to the piece that could be on the verge of being one dimensional, while Dirty Love is lively, although a tad misplaced following such a prevailing moment from Sirens. Yet the fun is consistent and is sure to please many, even if some tunes such as Killing It are lost among bigger tracks. Nonetheless, her lyrics are touching, especially Human, making up for weaker songs that can be seen as fillers – misplaced in such a diverse album.

However, at times, the British grit that Lloyd highlighted back in 2010 seem to have been diluted by her US achievements. Even in M.F.P.O.T.Y, it all seems a tad try-hard with the swearing, and appears very immature when compared to the big ballads. While her target audience are teenagers, and her saccharine very much caters for them in Goodnight, it all seems very Disney, which isn’t what British audiences see her as. Her accomplishments in America are a wonderful triumph for the young singer, but the sickly-sweet songs, such as Sweet Despair, all seem to promise a big impact, but never manage to capture the success.

Lauren Shean

Sorry I’m Late was released on 27^th May 2014, for further information to order the album visit here.

Watch the video for Sirens here: