Two years ago, seventeen year-old Cher Lloyd (now nineteen) finished the seventh season of The X Factor: UK in fourth place— right behind Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction. Since then, she has matured greatly and created her own pop/hip-hop sound, which is showcased on her debut studio album Sticks + Stones. Released in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2011, Lloyd’s album proved to be a big success, debuting at number four. As for the United States, Lloyd’s long-awaited album dropped on October 2, 2012, debuting at number nine. However, in both the UK and the U.S., Sticks + Stones has come off as somewhat of a mixed bag of an album. 

Both versions of the album contain many of the same songs, but there are a few different tracks to expect from each. In the U.S. version, the first single to be released was summer’s go-to tune “Want U Back.” Upbeat and catchy, the mega-hit single is utterly addictive, containing just the right amount of attitude and sass. The second single in the U.S. was “Oath”, featuring Becky G. “Oath” is without a doubt the best track featured on the album. A bit more softspoken than “Want U Back,” the song is about two best friends reminding each other that “wherever you go, just always remember that you got a home for now and forever and if you get low, just call me whenever.” “Swagger Jagger,” which makes appearances on both the UK and U.S. versions, seems to be one of the few downsides to Lloyd’s debut album. The song sounds scarily like the bedtime nursery rhyme, “Oh My Darling, Clementine”. Overall, “Swagger Jagger” is boring and lacks The X Factor alumna’s natural talent. On the upside, another track that definitely earns a top spot on the album is “With Ur Love” featuring Mike Posner. The tune is sweet, light, and charismatic, once again proving that Lloyd has some serious talent to show off. 

The pop starlet is even co-writing songs with Jermaine Jackson, one of the famous brothers of The Jackson 5. This includes two of Cher’s tracks: “Grow Up,” featuring Busta Rhymes, and “End Up Here.” The two tracks sound a bit childish, as they spout out rhymes that should be included on the soundtrack at a six year-old’s birthday party. However, they do feature a side of Lloyd that seems very Nicki Minaj-esque. However, this kind of swagger seems somewhat fitting, considering the fact that the nineteen year-old’s petite frame is scattered with random, little tattoos. Also overflowing with this type of in-your-face swagger are “Superhero” and “Playa Boi.” At best, these two swagger-filled tunes are mediocre, as they do not really produce the type of catchiness that is expected in songs by Lloyd. 

Lloyd has shown fans what fame is like “Behind the Music”–a track that is probably the least known; however, it shouldn’t be singled out quite so fast. The tune deserves a listen or two simply because it does beat out some of Lloyd’s other tracks. And finally, in her collaboration with the pop-rock band Carolina Liar, Lloyd has created the one and only ballad included on Sticks + Stones is “Beautiful People.” The gentle, flowing melodies create a heart wrenching single that is desperately needed on the album. Through watery eyes and somber sniffles of fans, the song delivers, adding just the right touch of sensitivity to the overall decent pop album that is flooded with over-the-top attitude and swag.