Album Review: Salute by Little Mix. How do Little Mix convey "girl power"? Also, the reasons behind why I love Salute...

Girl power:  "(Informal) an assertiveness and self-confidence shown by girls and young women". - Collins English Dictionary.

What is the first image that comes to mind when you read the definition for "girl power"? Is it possibly your mother, grandmother, best friend or maybe even yourself? Did you imagine a certain celebrity or song? Personally, the first image that came to my mind, is the girl-band who are known for their empowering songs and ballads, their colorful and wild hair and smart English accents. Little Mix. 

For those of you who are unaware of this bubbly group, Little Mix is a girl-group made up of 4 English girls, their ages ranging from youthful 20 to a little less youthful, 22. They joined as a group during the 2011 version of the popular competition show, The X Factor UK. They were the first girl-group to ever win the show, and with their triumph came love from teen girls (Little Mixers), spunky-ness and some doubt from the haters.

Their first album, DNA, was released in November of 2012. Their second album, Salute, was released in November 2013, and is an ultimate show of great pop, R&B and hip-hop influenced sounds. It also includes a heavy load of catchy beats and well, LOTS of girl power. The members of Little Mix are confident, smart, pretty and extremely unique. They aren't the type to sing about broken hearts and betraying boys. Just you wait.

I'll be taking you through Little Mix's Salute, and going through the album track-by-track.

1. Salute

Girl anthem to the max! For those of you who are prepared to swing your hair and let it all out, this dance song will no doubt get you out of your chair and dancing. Salute shows the hip-hop influence that Little Mix's album is aimed towards. Watch out world, Little Mix is here!

2. Move
Move has a strong beat and is the album's true party anthem. This song is extremely repetitive, though, if you're interested in a Christina Aguilera influenced vocal arrangement, and a good excersize jam, Move is the perfect song.

3. Little Me
Little Me is a MUST LISTEN! Its message is beautiful, and all woman of all ages can relate to this song in some way. It tells of speaking up and standing up for yourself; a reflection of a song, and not  slow enough so that it is considered a ballad.

4. Nothing Feels Like You
Nothing Feels Like You is another dance song filled with harmonious melodies and is a true example of Little Mix's sound and confidence. If you're looking for a traditional girl group sound, Nothing Feels Like You is the bee's knees. And if you aren't dancing by now...well, that's just wrong.

5. Towers
After 4 songs of dancing and sweat, slow down the beat and listen to Towers. This ballad is one of the songs that Little Mix have on their album that is worth a slow-dance. Ironically, if you listen to the lyrics, Towers proves to be quite a depressing song. Even though this stands, it is still one of my favorite tracks. I guess that's just how I roll.

6. Competition
Competition shows Little Mix's more competitive side. You can't tell by the name. This song is another dance-worthy melody but wait! There are MANY more to come.

7. These Four Walls
These Four Walls is the most graceful and intimate song in all of Salute. It's the kind of song that blows the entire album to #1, and makes you want to lock yourself in your room and cry. This song is a definite representation of the 4 girl's amazing vocals. Listening to this song, you will, if not already, understand why they won The X Factor.

Little Mix receives the happy news that they won the X Factor.

8. About the Boy
With a catchy beginning and a disco kick-off, About the Boy get you onto your feet and ready to do the Dougie. Pierre also demonstrates her kick-butt vocals and ends it with a content "ah."

9. Boy
The start of Boy is a capella and to my disappointment, adds music and mouth beat-boxing as it continues. Regardless of this, Boy is plenty catchy and the a capella beginning is worth the entire listen.

10. Good Enough
When listening to this song full of pained vocals and a piano accompaniment, it makes me think of the poor children of tiger-mothers. Good Enough asks the depressing question of "Am I still not good enough?" Little Mix's powerful ballads are consistently good and balance out their other songs that feature club-worthy beats.

11. Mr Loverboy
Ignoring the fact that the title of this song is Mr Loverboy, the chorus vocals vaguely remind me of older music. Does anyone else hear, The Jackson 5, too?

12. A Different Beat
Little Mix is visibly going back to its first album, DNA. Fans of the first album can be reassured that this group hasn't changed their sound too much after listening to A Different Beat. With flowing vocals, parade sounds and a chipper beat, this song reflects their beginning vision.

Little Mix's first album, DNA.

13. See Me Now
In another song of reflection, Little Mix sing about where they are now, their haters and their doubts about Little Mix's music. With the classical lyrics of, "They said I couldn't, told me I wouldn't! But if they could see me now!..." this group rejoices about their luck and happiness of their own success.

Little Mix at the Brit Awards.

14. They Don't Know You
Little Mix demonstrate rebellion and ignore the doubt about their love.

Little Mix's Pierre Edwards and her fiance, otherwise known as One Direction's Zayn Malik.

15. Stand Down
The second-to-last song of the album, Stand Down, is the perfect end song. It has a strong message of confidence and empowerment, because of course, you have to love the party anthems that end great albums.

16.  Little Me (Unplugged)
Little Me is the final song of Little Mix's second album is undoubtedly, the best song on the entire album. The wait is long though enjoyable, and this acoustic version of Little Me is even more delicate than the original, and is completely worth the listening power of the 15 previous songs. Topping off the album, Little Me is only available of the deluxe version of Salute and so if I were you, I'd spend the few extra bucks.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Salute is a fully enjoyable album full of anthems, ballads and songs that should find their place on your 2013 playlist. Little Mix is a group made of EXTREMELY talented young ladies, and the album was not only worth the wait, but also very consistent and it truly demonstrates the 4 girls' powerful and astounding vocals.

OVERALL RATING: 

4 and a half stars.

*All pictures courtesy of Google.