If you live in the United Kingdom, you’ve definitely heard of Little Mix. But if you’re from America, the name may not ring a bell. 

The UK girl group was formed in 2011 during the eighth season of the British version of the X Factor, which they won. Little Mix then signed with Simon Cowell’s label, Syco Music, and released five studio albums under the label.

But now, Little Mix is breaking free of Simon Cowell’s controlling clutches with their sixth studio album, Confetti, released by a new label: RCA Records.

Pre-Confetti, I’d heard of Little Mix, and I know a few people who listen to their music, but other than a few songs, I’d never listened to one of their albums in full. I’ve tried to expand my horizons beyond Taylor Swift, and I figured a new album from a group that isn’t well known in America was a good way to do that. 

Confetti is a 13 track album, with about a 40 minute listening time. A good length and number of songs for an album. The cover is also visually appealing. The group members are featured front and center, with purples, pinks, blues, and greens all around them.

The album opens with “Break Up Song,” its lead single. I could tell I was going to like the song before anyone started singing, just based on the pleasing beginning production. I’m very particular about a song’s production. I like pop, but I don’t like too much electro or bubblegum. “Break Up Song’s” production is the perfect happy medium for me. Good quality lyrics are coupled with the top tier production. Little Mix sings, as they say in the song, “just another break up song.” However, their creative take on the song sets this one apart from others about lost love. I don’t know the individual members’ voices well, but I love their chemistry. Chemistry is the key for me surrounding musical groups. The girls have great vocal abilities that are enough to carry the song, but also aren’t too much. 

“Holiday,” another one of the album’s singles, follows suit. The production of the song makes it enjoyable to listen to. The lyrics also contribute to the song’s pleasant and lighthearted overall atmosphere. The chorus is definitely a standout, it sticks in your head and helps add a climax after the verses. “We’re just dancing the night away, boy, you feel like a holiday.” 

The album continues with “Sweet Melody,” yet another single. Its production is extremely enticing. The girls do a great job utilizing their vocal abilities in this song, and the lyrics are once again solid. The verses are great, but the chorus is my favorite part. “He used to sing me sweet melodies, he played me, made me believe it was real love,” Little Mix admits. Every element of the song comes together nicely to help create another catchy bop.

“Confetti,” the album’s title track and also a single, comes next. I have high standards for title tracks, because if you’re going to name an album after a certain track, it had better be good. “Confetti” isn’t as “loud” as some of the other songs thus far, but its spicy and slightly more mellow production adds to its overall effect. I love this song. The chorus once again stands out, and the production combined with good lyrics makes for quite the banger. “From the sky, drop like confetti,” helps create a good visual to go along with the song.

Another single, “Happiness,” follows “Confetti.” I wasn’t sure about the song upon hearing the first verse, but it’s definitely a good one. The first verse is my least favorite part, and it takes the song a little bit to get going, but once it does, there’s no looking back. By the end, I absolutely loved it. The production is good, and the lyrics are extremely motivational. “I found the love in me.”

My favorite song on the album is track six, “Not a Pop Song.” This is a big one, because it calls out Simon Cowell and his label. It’s a tribute to the group’s independence now that they’ve left Syco Music. “I don’t do what Simon says, get the message cause it’s read, that’s just life, it never plays fair. Said to follow any dream, be a puppet on a string, works for you but that isn’t me.” The production switches are stellar, the girls’ vocals are absolutely amazing, and the lyrics are simple, but they’re fun and leave an impact on the listener. “This ain’t another pop song about falling in love, or a party song about drinks and drugs. No more singing songs about breaking my heart, and my lonely nights dancing in the dark…but if you wanna sing along, say ‘I don’t give a what!’”

The song thus far with the most pleasant production is definitely track seven, “Nothing But My Feelings.” It’s a good quality, mellow song. I like how it focuses mainly on the vocals of not only each member, but also of the group as a whole. “I’m laying here in nothing but my feelings, thinking about our shadows on the ceiling, waiting for you, so you should probably come through if you know what’s good for you.”

“Gloves Up” is yet another song in which the girls use their impressive vocal abilities to their advantage. The song is engaging right from the get-go, with its easy flow, solid lyrics, and strong production. “Brighter than bright I will shine, can’t knock me down and that’s why.” It’s an empowering bop, and everything fits together like a puzzle. 

“A Mess (Happy 4 U)” comes next. I had trouble getting into the song until the chorus, but the song overall is solid. I love the whole vibe the song gives off, and although the verses aren’t my favorite, the song is super catchy. “I’m still a mess, oh, since you left. If I can’t be happy, happy with you, I’ll be happy, happy for you. I guess, no hard feelings, cause love’s looking good on you, if you’re happy I’m happy, I’m happy for you.”

“My Love Won’t Let You Down” is the most sad song on the album. It brings in some variety after a lot of happier sounding songs. Its production is simple and it sounds painful. The lyrics are beautiful, and I teared up the first time I heard the song. “I’ll be there with you, no matter what you’re going through.” It’s such an emotional song, and vocally, the girls make it sound angelic.

“Rendezvous” adds some spice to the album. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first, but it really grew on me. “How you feel about a rendezvous, time for two?” The lyrics aren’t outstanding, per se, but coupled with a spicy production, the song is solid. The title is pretty great too.

“If You Want My Love” is my least favorite on the album, but it’s still a decent song. I don’t like the production all that much. The lyrics are fine, but I feel like the song as a whole doesn’t really add much to the track list. It’s missing something, that sort of BANG! that I love. “If you want my love, you gotta give me more than pleasure,” the girls sing. “If you want my love, boy you better know, you got to work.”

“Breathe” is the perfect closing track, and ties the album together nicely. It’s a very chill song, with unique production and even better lyrics. Little Mix sings about a relationship that went wrong and being unable to let go. “How do I, how do I, how do I, breathe when you’re not with me? How do I, how do I, how do I sleep in the space you leave?” Heart-wrenching lyrics coupled with a sonically cohesive sound makes for the perfect song and closing track. “When you’re not here with me, how am I supposed to breathe?”

Upon hearing Confetti for the first time, I was absolutely blown away, and the album grows on me more and more as I listen. Confetti has everything you could possibly need- happy pick-me-ups, sad ballads, strong production, and solid lyrics. 

With the exception of “If You Want My Love,” every single song is amazing. My favorites include: “Not A Pop Song,” “Break Up Song,” “Confetti,” “Gloves Up,” “A Mess (Happy 4 U),” “My Love Won’t Let You Down,” and “Breathe.” So yes, pretty much the whole album.

All the members of Little Mix are exceptionally good singers, and each member’s voice helps the group as a whole achieve great chemistry. On top of their vocals, Little Mix creates catchy, lyrically sound songs with unique productions. Confetti is sonically cohesive, but all the tracks are subtly different all the same.

Confetti is definitely one of my favorite album releases of 2020, a year in which I have been craving good music. I can’t imagine how thrilled their fans are, and I do believe I’m becoming a Mixer myself. 

Little Mix’s sixth album will be on repeat for a while. A long while. It’s such a solid project, and I’m so excited to see where the girls go next with their music, now that they’re free of Simon Cowell and his label.

One thing’s for sure, Little Mix has broken out of the lion’s den with a bang.