Sticks and Stones (Cher Lloyd album)

Sticks and Stones^{[note 1]} is the debut studio album by English singer Cher Lloyd. It was released on 4 November 2011, through Syco and Sony Music; US version of the record was released through Epic Records. Lloyd co-wrote five songs and worked with various producers and songwriters for her first full-length release, including the Runners, Kevin Rudolf, and Savan Kotecha, among others. Lloyd herself called the album a "jukebox".

The album was preceded by the lead single, "Swagger Jagger", which was released on 29 July 2011. The song peaked at number two on the Irish Singles Chart and topped the Scottish and the UK Singles Chart. "With Ur Love" was confirmed as the second single from the album and was released on 30 October 2011, and became Lloyd's second consecutive top five single in both countries peaking at number four and five in the United Kingdom and Ireland. "Want U Back", featuring American rapper Astro, was released as the third single on 19 February 2012.

Sticks + Stones debuted at number four in the United Kingdom, selling 55,668 copies in its first week, and at number nine in the United States, selling around 33,000 copies. The album received mixed reviews from music critics.

After the final of the seventh series of The X Factor, Lloyd signed a record deal with Simon Cowell's label, Syco Music.^[6] In the United States, Lloyd signed in Epic Records;^[7] US version of the album was released through the record label.^[5] American songwriter Autumn Rowe and a producer RedOne were soon rumoured to be working on Lloyd's debut studio album.^[8][9] On 28 July 2011, Lloyd previewed five tracks from the album during an Ustream session, including tracks featuring Busta Rhymes, Mike Posner, Ghetts, Mic Righteous and Dot Rotten.^[10] Described as "jukebox" by her,^[11] Sticks + Stones was promoted by the Sticks and Stones Tour, her first headlining concert, which began in March 2012 and visitied various venues across the United Kingdom.^[12]

On 15 June 2011, the album's lead single "Swagger Jagger" was leaked onto the internet.^[13] It was released officially on 29 July,^[14] reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart on 7 August.^[15] It was certicified Silver by BPI on 13 July 2022.^[16] Sticks and Stones' second single was "With Ur Love", which features vocals from American singer Mike Posner.^[17] Released on 28 October 2011,^[18] it peaked at number five in Ireland,^[19] number four in the United Kingdom^[20] and number three in Scotland.^[21] A music video of the US version was filmed and released through her YouTube channel.^[22]

"Want U Back" was chosen as the third official single from the record; it was released on 3 February 2012.^[23] While the British single version of the song features vocals from American rapper Astro,^[24] the US version is performed entirely by Lloyd, while a remix features American rapper Snoop Dogg.^[25] The music video for "Want U Back" was directed by Parris,^[26] and its solo version serves as Lloyd's debut single as well as the first from the album in the United States.^[27] The song sold around 2,000,000 copies,^[28] being certified double-platinum by the RIAA.^[29] "Oath", produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut, was released as the fourth and final single on 2 October.^[30] It features American singer and rapper Becky G, who originally wrote the song.^[31] The single sold around 500,000 copies in the United States, being certified Gold.^[32]

Lloyd released the studio version for her cover of Shakespears Sister's "Stay", which was included in the album's deluxe edition.^[33] "Dub on the Track", featuring Mic Righteous, Dot Rotten and Ghetts, received a music video, being released on 13 December 2012.^[34]

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".^[35]

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".^[11] 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".^[37]

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".^[2] 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.^[36] 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]

• "Playa Boi" interpolates portions of the composition entitled "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry.
• "Swagger Jagger" interpolates melodic portions of the composition entitled "Oh My Darling Clementine".
• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer.
• ^{^[b]} signifies a vocal producer.
• ^{^[c]} "Oath" does not appear on the North American LP edition of Sticks & Stones, and the original tracks six to nine are one position higher.

Credits were adapted from the album's liner notes.^[4]

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)