At the end of 2021, the British girl group Little Mix announced an indefinite hiatus that would begin the following summer once they wrapped their “Confetti” tour. They broke the news on X, denying an official breakup and confirming “plans for more music, tours and performances in the future.” Despite these plans, the girls cited the need for a break following a 10-year-long “non-stop adventure” that left them needing to “recharge.” Small wonder — it had been a long ride. The group formed on “The X Factor” in 2011 and quickly made a splash in the U.K., when their cover of Damien Rice’s “Cannonball” charted at No. 1 following their live performance.
During their career, they racked up five U.K. No. 1 songs, 19 songs in the top 10, and one No. 1 album (“Glory Days”). Stateside, the girls did not achieve those same numbers, but were still well received, becoming the first British girl group with a debut album to chart in the Top 5 in the album’s first week.
In the aftermath of such a powerhouse group, Jade Thirlwall, by then 29, had to decide what came next. Sticking to music was a given, but what that would look like without two of her closest friends by her side was unclear. Thankfully, some of my people around me were like, ‘Just wait and keep writing.’ In hindsight, I listen to some of that music, and it does just kind of sound like Little Mix.” Of the group’s three members, it took her the longest to embark on her solo career, but she’s fine with it.
It’s like when you break up with someone, and you all of a sudden have to find your identity again.” Experimenting with her musical identity was only the first step. The real crux of her career boils down to the unexpected, and for inspiration, she turned to artists who, like her, had come out of groups and needed to take a risk to capture the world’s attention. This time, as an individual.
My logic was, I’d rather come out fucking swinging with something brave and bold and might miss, but at least you can’t say I’ve not tried to do something big.” For example, “I was really inspired by Gwen Stefani’s “What You Waiting For?” because she came out [as a solo artist] with that banger. I loved that the concept was about her not knowing what to write for her first record. And come out swinging she did.
Thirlwall’s debut single “Angel of My Dreams” was released on July 14, 2024, just over two years after Little Mix’s hiatus began. The fast-tempo electropop song — and accompanying music video — details her “toxic, love-hate relationship” with the music industry, a theme she continued exploring in her debut album “That’s Showbiz Baby!” just over a year later. At the root of it all her perception of fame.
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