Girlbands are often treated like musical clotheshorses, expected to sing whatever the record label decides is the best demo submitted for their next album. Therefore it’s always exciting when a group gets to release a song that was clearly written for them.
From the sound, merging their previous best (Sledgehammer) and most popular (Worth It), to the lyrics, referencing their girlband idols Destiny’s Child and the number five, That’s My Girl was definitely written for Fifth Harmony… or perhaps it’s more accurate to say, it was written for their fans. I have no doubt the band themselves would rather be known for more mature tracks like Work From Home and All In My Head (Flex), and they almost won the battle as most of the 7/27 album has that sound, but luckily their A&R team ensured we pop fans still got the uplifting, high energy sing-along pop belter we really wanted. Co-writer Alexander Kronlund also worked on Lucky by Britney and *N Sync’s I’ll Never Stop, and this track gives me the same sugar rush as those 90s gems.
That’s My Girl might be the last of its kind from Fifth Harmony, as it hasn’t come close to the success of Work From Home or Worth It, but let’s take this moment to thank whoever it was at Epic who made this happen for us. If you’re reading this, YOU are the saviour of 2016. Now we just need to know: What happened to the six songs Max Martin produced for this album, and can we please have them ALL in 2017?
Released: 27th September
Writers: Tinashe Kachingwe, Alexander Kronlund, Lukas Loules
Best bits: 1. Destiny said it, you got to get up and get it, get mad independent and don’t you ever forget it, got some dirt on your shoulder, then let me brush it off for ya, if you’re feeling me put your five high!
2. That’s my girl, that’s my girl, that’s my girl
3. You’ve been down before, you’ve been hurt before, you got up before