Heard of Stooshe? They’re a rising UK pop trio, and the only girl group listed on BBC’s Sound of 2012 longlist. And as you can see above, they’d like to be taken seriously, thank you very much.
With effortlessly melodic, soulful voices a la En Vogue or The Sugababes and a perky power punch of personality (think a slightly more X-minded version of the Spice Girls or The Dolly Rockers), the girls have making strong waves in the UK already. After the release of their debut single “Betty Woz Gone” back in October, the cheeky trio is about to service their brand new second single on March 5: “Love Me,” featuring Travie McCoy. (Cheryl Cole, The Saturdays…is there a girl group he hasn’t worked with yet?)
With its swinging ’60’s surf-pop charm, “Love Me” is an immediately infectious, twinkling jam full of fun ‘n’ sassy lyricism and cutting hooks: “Oh, your chocolate got me melting/Baby, got me melting all my days/Let me give you double helpings/You’ll be screaming baby, baby, baby!” the girls yelp.
For those following the lewd ladies from the start just a few short months ago, you’d know that “Love Me” was originally released as “Fuck Me”–and those lyrics? Well, they were a whole lot ruder: “Free your mind…and the rest I’ll swallow!” Amazing, but hardly radio-friendly. Thus, “Love Me” was born.
I’m still not entirely sure what to make of these girls just yet–they’re either as infectiously rambunctious as the Almighty Spice in a sex shop, or as yell-y and obnoxious as Jessie J. in, well, everything–but it’s hard to deny the supreme hook-heavy pop quality of “Love Me.” So far, I’m in!
Looks like this is just the beginning for this trouble-making trio, so get yourselves acquainted now! Get ready to enter the loveeee hotel…
“Love Me (feat. Travie McCoy” will be released on March 5. (iTunes UK)
