The last time I blogged about UK girlband Parade was back in January 2011 then they released their Emil Nava-directed music video for debut single, “Louder.” I believe I called Parade “just what I’ve been craving,” and at the time that was true. Well since then the girls released a second repetitive single, “Perfume” as well as their self titled debut album but neither one really made any kind of a connection. Well, now it’s been over a year and the girls ready to make a comeback with a HOT new single, “Light Me Up,” which Popjustice has already labeled as “brilliant.” After listening to it on repeat for the past two days, I’m inclined to agree.
Produced by Tim Powell of Xenomania fame and acclaim (Pet Shop Boys, Paloma Faith), “Light Me Up” is a smashing return to the glory days of girl group pop deliciousness, and is already drawing well-earned comparisons to another fantastic product of Xenomania, Girls Aloud. The song neatly packages some dubstep and drum’n’bass beats, wrapping it up beautifully with plenty of pop overtones. “Light Me Up” is EXACTLY the kind of song fellow UK girl group The Saturdays SHOULD have released instead of “30 Days.”
Formerly signed to Asylum Records, the five-member girl band Parade released the top 10 hit single “Louder” back in March of 2011. Produced by The Fairground, “Louder” was a promising start for the girls and even landed a spot in a Rimmel London makeup advertisement. Featuring a hot remix package from Wideboys and Steve Smart & Westfunk, “Louder” remains the girls only top 10 single to date. Follow up single, “Perfume,” was released in June of 2011, debuting at a disappointing #38 before dropping out of the top 100 altogether. While an equally impressive remix package was released, featuring dance mixes from D’n’A, Wideboys and Moto Blanco, the song was decidedly a flop. The girls released their self titled album in the Fall of 2011 featuring songs co-written and produced by the best of the best including Wayne Hector, Steve Mac, Greg Kurstin, Emeli Sande and more. Unfortunately the song debuted outside the top 100, peaking at #171. WOMP WOMP.
For their as-yet-untitled sophomore album, the girls have reportedly hit the studio with the likes of Ed Drewett (The Wanted), Fred Ball (Little Boots, JLS) MNEK (The Saturdays, Misha B), K-Gee (All Saints, Gabrielle), Jamal Hadaway and Tre Jean-Marie (Misha B, Mohombi). Check out the lyric video for “Light Me Up” BELOW and download the single for FREE HERE or HERE by signing up for the girls’ newsletter.
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