Sticks and Stones (Cher Lloyd album)

After the final of the seventh series of The X Factor, Lloyd signed a record deal with English businessman Simon Cowell's label Syco Music.^[3] In the United States, she signed with Epic Records,^[4] and the album's US version was released through the label.^[2] American songwriter Autumn Rowe and Moroccan-Swedish producer RedOne were soon rumoured to be working on Lloyd's debut studio album.^[5][6]

On 28 July 2011, Lloyd previewed five tracks from the album during an Ustream session, including tracks featuring musicians Busta Rhymes, Mike Posner, Ghetts, Mic Righteous, and Dot Rotten.^[7] Described as "jukebox" by her,^[8] Sticks + Stones was promoted by her first headlining concert Sticks and Stones Tour, which began in March 2012 and visitied various venues across the United Kingdom.^[9] In September 2012, Lloyd announced that she would release the 21 track deluxe edition; it contains "Oath" featuring Becky G, "Behind the Music", and a studio version of her cover of duo Shakespears Sister's song "Stay".^[10] "Dub on the Track", featuring Mic Righteous, Dot Rotten, and Ghetts, received a music video on 13 December.^[11]

Singles

Four singles were released from Sticks + Stones.^{[note 2]} On 15 June 2011, the lead single "Swagger Jagger" was leaked onto the internet^[13] and was released on 29 July.^[14] In the United Kingdom, it reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 7 August,^[15] being certicified silver by British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 13 July 2022.^[16] Released on 28 October 2011,^[17] the album's second single "With Ur Love" features vocals from American singer Mike Posner.^[18] It peaked at number five in Ireland,^[19] number four in the United Kingdom^[20] and number three in Scotland.^[21] Its US version's music video was filmed and released through her YouTube channel.^[22]

"Want U Back" was chosen as the third single of Sticks + Stones, being released on 3 February 2012.^{[23][note 2]} While the British single version of the song features vocals from American rapper Astro,^[24] its US version includes vocals from Lloyd only, and a remix features American rapper Snoop Dogg's vocals.^[25] Its music video was directed by Parris.^[26] The song sold around 2,000,000 copies,^[27] being certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[28] "Oath", produced by American producer Dr. Luke and Canadian producer Cirkut, was released on 2 October; it served as the fourth single of UK edition and second single of the US edition.^[29] It features vocals from American rapper Becky G, who originally wrote the song.^[30] The single sold around 500,000 copies in the United States, being certified Gold by RIAA.^[31]

More information Aggregate scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	51/100[32]
Review scores
Source	Rating
4Music	[33]
AllMusic	[34]
Digital Spy	[35]
Entertainment Weekly	B[36]
The Guardian	[37]
Idolator	[38]
MuuMuse	[39]
NME	[40]
The Observer	[41]
Virgin Media	[42]

Close

Critical reception for Sticks + Stones has been mixed. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 51, based on 8 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".^[32]

Several critics commented on Lloyd's vocal presence and pop appeal. BBC Music described her vocals as having a "natural and charismatic presence throughout", ultimately characterising Sticks + Stones as "a sassy, splashy modern pop album that's much better than its dodgy lead single".^[8] Entertainment Weekly echoed this focus on Lloyd herself, writing that her "manic lowbrow sass" could feel "tiresome at length" but was effective on singles such as "Want U Back", and adding that she had "enough charisma for both sides of the Atlantic".^[36]

Other reviewers highlighted the album's pop songwriting and individual tracks. Digital Spy identified "Want U Back", "With Ur Love", "Playa Boi" and "Grow Up" as tracks "worthy of downloading", while praising "Dub on the Track" as being "loaded with attitude that few could pull off".^[35] Virgin Media focused on the album's energy and cohesion, describing it as "sparky and restless" and commending its quick run of polished pop songs.^[42]

Some critics expressed reservations about the album's originality and stylistic choices. AllMusic argued that Lloyd was most compelling when she "stops trying so hard", citing "Want U Back" and "End Up Here" as "infectious examples of cutesy pure pop" that recalled Britney Spears. The review also suggested that parts of the album felt overly calculated, warning that its close adherence to contemporary pop trends could render it dated.^[34] NME criticised tracks such as "Grow Up" and "Swagger Jagger", but stated that when the album eased its more aggressive stylistic elements, there was evidence that Lloyd was "actually quite good at this pop malarkey", highlighting "Want U Back" and "End Up Here".^[40] Glamour emphasised the album's radio-ready dance-pop sound, describing it as "harmless and infectious", and singled out "Oath" and "Behind the Music" for particular praise.^[43]

In the United Kingdom, Stick + Stones entered the UK Albums Chart at number four behind new releases of Susan Boyle, Florence and the Machine and Michael Bublé, selling 55,668 copies in its opening week.^[44] As of September 2013, it was certified Gold by BPI for shipments of 100,000 copies.^[45] Sticks and Stones debuted at number nine with 31,000 copies sold in the United States, on the chart dated 20 October 2012.^[46] It also debuted at number seven in Ireland.^[47]

Credits were adapted from the album's liner notes.^[1]

Recording locations

• We the Best Studio; Miami, Florida (4)
• Boom Boom Boom (7)
• Kite Studios (9)
• Ealing Studios (9)
• The Music Shed; London, United Kingdom (9)
• Old Street Studios (9)
• Darkchild Studios; Los Angeles, California (10)