Year after year, British pop girl group Little Mix has delivered powerful anthems of feminism mixed with sorrowful ballads of heartbreak that left us screaming and sobbing. Their newest album, “LM5,” released on November 16 is no exception. Taking the air of dominance and empowerment up a notch, the album features eighteen tracks blending impeccable vocals with an important message that the group has been determined to spread since their inception in 2011.
Little Mix expanded the boundaries of their bubblegum pop genre in their appropriately named fifth studio album. Singles leading up to the album’s release included notable features. “Woman Like Me” featured Nicki Minaj, facilitating the group’s inclusion of hip-hop and rap themes into their music. Later on the album, the song “Wasabi” continues the hip-hop genre as the group takes on a sharper single following a strong dance beat.
“Only You” featuring Cheat Codes integrated the girls’ soulful vocals with a dance beat, making the artists more accessible to fans of different tastes. These collaborations also increase the group’s exposure in America, where their talent and popularity has not always accurately been recognized.
The album starts strong and establishes a theme of satirical femininity with “The National Manthem.” This single is all vocals, showing the band’s roots of incredible voices and their even more incredible blending. Titles like “Joan of Arc” and “Woman’s World” are sprinkled throughout the album, ensuring that theme does not get lost throughout.
Perhaps the most notable single released was “Strip”- a celebration of individuality and confidence despite the beauty standards set for women by the media today. The song includes affirmations of comfort and confidence in your own body and rejection of hate and body shaming. The music video features the four women wearing minimal clothes with hateful words drawn across their body. As the video continues, the girls expel the hate drawn on their skin as they celebrate bodies of all colors, shapes, and sizes.
As Little Mix’s career continues to grow and they work to reach larger and larger audiences, the positive messages behind their music becomes more and more important. They have proven their commitment to inclusive and strong messages for their expansive fan base. “LM5” calls to mind past hits of power such as “Hair” and “Grown” while also pushing the boundaries, expanding to new genres and audiences, and staying true to the sheer power and force of girl groups all over the world.