"Angel of My Dreams" | ||||
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Single by Jade | ||||
Released | 19 July 2024 | |||
Recorded | Los Angeles | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:17 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Composer(s) |
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Lyricist(s) |
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Producer(s) | Sabath | |||
Jade singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Angel of My Dreams" on YouTube |
"Angel of My Dreams" is the debut solo single by English singer and songwriter Jade. It was released on 19 July 2024, through RCA Records. [1] and marks her first solo endeavour after Little Mix began their hiatus in May 2022. [2] Jade co-wrote the song with Steph Jones, Pablo Bowman and its producer Mike Sabath. Because of the sample of the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest winning song "Puppet on a String" by English singer Sandie Shaw which is played at the beginning and end of the track, Bill Martin and Phil Coulter received writing credits.
"Angel of My Dreams" received widespread acclaim from critics with praise given towards the track lyrics, use of sample, and exploration of different genres. It was named by Billboard as one of the best singles released in 2024, and lyrically addresses her complex relationship with the music industry, with references made to Syco Music and Simon Cowell. [3] [4] [5] The music video pays homage to Thirlwall's home town of South Shields, and features home footage from her childhood including her audition from The X Factor UK . The music video was inspired by the films The Fifth Element , Black Swan and Showgirls . [6] [7] [8] [9]
After Little Mix went on a previously announced hiatus following the conclusion of the Confetti Tour in May 2022, Thirlwall began working on her solo projects and music. [10] On 2 July 2024, she revealed the artwork and the release date of "Angel of My Dreams" to all of her and her team's social media accounts. [11] The single and its accompanying music video were released on 19 July 2024. [12] [13] On the same day, Jade's name and the name of the song were projected onto the Angel of the North sculpture to commemorate the release. [14]
The track was also made available for purchase as a 7-inch vinyl single, [15] a cassette single [16] and a CD single through Jade's online store. [17] On 9 August 2024, Jade released a "Slow. Angelic. Dramatic." version of the track, alongside with an official live performance being uploaded onto her YouTube channel. [8] A remix version with American DJ, The Blessed Madonna, was also released. [6]
"Angel of My Dreams" was co-written during a studio session in Los Angeles, alongside Steph Jones, Pablo Bowman and producer Mike Sabath, whom she worked with before while in Little Mix. [18] Musically, it incorporates elements of pop, [19] electronica, [20] electroclash, [21] and dance-pop, [22] and samples Sandie Shaw's song "Puppet on a String"—United Kingdom's winning entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967. Bill Martin and Phil Coulter who co-wrote "Puppet on a String" were also given writing credits. [23] [24]
Upon the song's release, Jade said: "I want people to be like 'oh my god, I didn't expect that' – but then want to listen again". She added: "I didn't want to do a safe first single, that was really important to me. I'm setting the tone of who I am as an artist on my own". [3] Some commentators speculated over references made to her past career, particularly the lyrics "Sold my soul to a psycho" with the term "psycho" alluding to Syco Entertainment, a record label that Little Mix was previously signed to from 2011 and 2018. [25] Jade told Beat Magazine that she did not intend to disparage her time with Syco but she wanted the lyrics and production of the song to reflect her overall journey navigating the music industry. [26]
English singer and songwriter Tom Grennan covered the song during BBC Live Lounge in October 2024. [27]
The video for "Angel of My Dreams" was directed by Aube Perrie and filmed in London in April 2024. Among the filming locations were Deptford High Street and the Laban building. [28] It details the story of Jade's career in the music industry and opens with a shot of her walking alongside a busy high street, reminiscent of her hometown of South Shields. In the video, she is seen busking on the high street, before it transitions into different scenes where she plays various personas. It features home footage of Jade performing as a child and includes clips from when she auditioned for The X Factor UK . [29] Inspirations for the video were also drawn from the films Showgirls (1995), The Fifth Element (1997) and Black Swan (2010). [30] Speaking to Billboard , Jade shared that Britney Spears' video for "Lucky' was also among inspirations, adding: "I am obsessed with pop and looking at all the pop girlies that I love, they are the ones doing the absolute most. Like the looks, the choreo, the big songs, big choruses ... that is what I want to deliver." [31]
The concept of the video is from rags to riches and features a cameo appearance from Fontaines D.C frontman Grian Chatten. The scene which he appears in was also featured in the band's own music video for "Starburster". [32] In an interview for British Vogue , Jade discussed some of the looks used in the video, which features designs from Skims, Giuseppe Zanotti, Versace, Miu Miu, and Jean Paul Gaultier. [33] In the video she recreated Mariah Carey look from MTV Cribs , and made references to Victoria Beckham, Christina Aguilera, Kylie Minogue, Madonna and Lady Gaga. [34] [35]
Thirlwall performed "Angel of My Dreams" for the first time, along with "Fantasy" on Later... with Jools Holland on 19 October 2024. [36]
Year | Award ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Popjustice £20 Music Prize | Best British Pop Single | Nominated | [37] |
UK Music Video Awards | Best Pop Video | Nominated | [38] | |
Best Live Video | Nominated | |||
Best Performance in a Video | Nominated | |||
Best Styling | Nominated | |||
Best Editing in a Video | Won |
"Angel of My Dreams" was met with widespread acclaim from critics. [39] [40] In an exclusive first-listen with Official Charts Company, George Griffiths described the song as "a bold and complex introduction to an artist who is determined to twist and test the boundaries of commercial pop music". They drew comparisons to Jennifer Rush, Rachel Stevens and Harry Styles, stating that the beginning of the track has "heavenly, swooning synths straight out of a 80s power-ballad" while incorporating different genres and electronic elements. They also called it surprising, shocking, and will turn aways from expectations. [20] Nick Reilly from Rolling Stone UK described it as "A bold, unrepentant start to Jade's life as a solo star". They added how "it starts with the most distinctive distorted sample of Sandie Shaw's 'Puppet On A String', before it makes way for a production-heavy, Mariah-esque chorus". Praise was also given towards its lyrical content and sample "noting that the lyrics are spicy, and while the sample seems random, the idea of being a puppet on a string perfectly fits the ethos of the song". [41]
Alistair James from Attitude complimented Thirlwall's vocals, describing "It as Jade demonstrating her angelic and rich vocals. The beat then kicks in and becomes a song we can easily imagine filling the dancefloors this summer". [2] Writing for Clash , Robin Murray gave "Angel of My Dreams" a eight out of ten star rating, describing the song as "a career of success and frustration packed into three minutes, a bold, bravura statement of frenetic creativity, while it's ludicrously colourful, a ridiculously entertaining side-step that utterly wipes the slate clean". [4] Gay Times ' Sam Damshenas, praised both the song and music video, saying: "Jade has delivered the most addictive and innovative debut single and video in recent memory". Furthermore they described it as "A dance-pop anthem, that takes an experimental approach to pop with several distinct sections, from the theatrical balladry of the chorus to the thumping electro verses". [22]
The Tab 's Harrison Brocklehurst named it "one of the best pop debuts in recent times". They also added "The way the chorus tempo can sometimes be giving Juice Newton 80s power balladry one minute, and then Y2K Clubland the second time around is just genius work. The whole thing bursts with originality and excitement for what pop music can be when boundaries get pushed". [42] In their review of the song, Billboard contributor Conor Cunningham named "Angel of My Dreams" as one of the best single releases in 2024, describing it as "original and attention grabbing". In the article, they added "'Angel of My Dreams' crackles with well-drawn sonic features, but with the tension between its dreamy bubblegum chorus and steely robo-thump verses representing the warmth of the spotlight and cold behind-the-scenes realities. Regardless of its chart prospects, Jade's solo debut is too bold to go unnoticed and her next move deserves to be hotly anticipated". [19] Women in Pop called the song an "outstanding, bombastic track - in the best possible way - that veers between multiple genres, tempos and pace, abruptly changing paths, taking you completely by surprise," also commenting the song was "a momentous, extremely impressive start to her career...it both continues Jade’s impressive music career but also the birth of a new powerful voice in pop." [43]
In their review of the song, Stardust described it as a "powerful solo debut that reflects her evolved sense of artistry and resilience". Praise was given towards the music video for its storytelling and visualisation, adding how it "cleverly incorporates symbolic gestures from her own experiences as she’s coerced by greedy corporate men abusing power with a contract signed in blood and a ring symbolizing the binding nature of the entertainment business. Through choreography and visual storytelling, Jade uses these life-changing moments to convey a powerful message about identity and self-discovery". [44]
"Angel of My Dreams" reached number two on the UK Singles Sales Chart, UK Singles Downloads Chart, and topped the UK Physical Singles Chart and Official Vinyl Singles Chart. Upon its initial release, it debuted at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the third highest debut for a single by a British artist in 2024. [45] Following the release of the "S.A.D." version, "Angel of My Dreams" returned to the top 10 of the chart at number ten, making her the first Little Mix member to have a solo single spend two weeks inside of the top ten. [46] It was certified silver by the BPI in October 2024, and has spent a total of 14 weeks on the UK charts.
The single also reached number eighteen on the Irish Singles Chart, [47] and appeared on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart where it debuted at number four, [48] and on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart where it reached number one hundred and seventy-five. [49]
7-inch vinyl, cassette and CD single [15] [16] [17]
Digital download – instrumental [50]
Streaming/digital download [1]
Streaming/digital download – For the Club [51]
Streaming/digital download – Jax Jones Y2J remix [52]
Streaming/digital download – S.A.D. version - Slow. Angelic. Dramatic. [53]
Streaming/digital download – S.A.D. - Slow. Angelic. Dramatic. - live version [54]
Streaming/digital download – Scooter remix [55]
Streaming/digital download – SMU MTG remix [56]
Streaming/digital download – The Blessed Madonna remix [57]
Streaming/digital download – the Dreamixes [58]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [63] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Formats | Versions | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 18 July 2024 | For the Club | RCA | [51] | |
19 July 2024 | original | [1] | |||
23 July 2024 | Digital download | instrumental | [50] | ||
2 August 2024 |
| The Blessed Madonna remix | [57] | ||
9 August 2024 | S.A.D. version - Slow. Angelic. Dramatic. | [53] | |||
16 August 2024 | S.A.D. - Slow. Angelic. Dramatic. - live version | [54] | |||
17 August 2024 | SMU MTG remix | [56] | |||
23 August 2024 | Jax Jones Y2J remix | [52] | |||
30 August 2024 | Scooter remix | [55] | |||
6 September 2024 | the Dreamixes | [58] | |||
United Kingdom | 13 September 2024 |
| [15] [16] [17] |
Jade Amelia Thirlwall is an English singer. Her music career began at the age of 15, when she auditioned for The X Factor UK on three occasions before rising to prominence as a member of the girl group Little Mix. The group was formed and won the eighth series in 2011, and released six studio albums together, and amassed nineteen UK top-ten singles, five of which reached number one. Before going on hiatus in 2022, they became the first girl band to win the Brit Award for British Group. Inspired by pop and R&B music with elements of electronica and electroclash sounds, she has been described as one of Britain's next biggest pop stars.
"Move" is a song recorded by British girl group Little Mix. It was released through Syco Music, as the lead single from their second studio album, Salute (2013). It was co-written by members Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards with Maegan Cottone and Nathan Duvall, and produced by Duvall.
"Little Me" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released by Syco Music, as the second single from the group's second studio album, Salute (2013). It was co-written by group members Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, along with TMS and Iain James, with production done by TMS. It was met with positive reviews from music critics and samples a part from Gabriel Fauré's Pavane. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, and charted in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, and Lebanon. "Little Me" has since been certified silver in the United Kingdom.
"Hair" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 28 August 2015 as the first promotional single from the group's third studio album Get Weird. On 15 April 2016, a remix featuring Jamaican rapper and singer Sean Paul was released by Syco Music as the fourth and final single from the album.
"Power" is a song released by British girl group Little Mix, featuring British rapper Stormzy. It was released as the fourth and final single from Little Mix's fourth studio album Glory Days. The remix version appears on Glory Days: The Platinum Edition, the reissue of Glory Days.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock is an English singer. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Little Mix, which was formed and won the eighth series of, The X Factor UK. As part of the group, she won three Brit Awards and achieved 19 top-ten singles and five number one entries on the UK Singles Chart, before going on hiatus in 2022. In 2021, she made her acting debut in the film Boxing Day.
"Woman Like Me" is a song by British girl group Little Mix featuring rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on 12 October 2018, by Syco Music, as the lead single from the group's fifth studio album LM5. The song was co written by Jess Glynne, Ed Sheeran, Minaj and the song's producer Steve Mac.
"Break Up Song" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 27 March 2020 as the lead single from the group's sixth studio album Confetti (2020). The group co-wrote the song with Frank Nobel and producers Kamille and Goldfingers a year before it was chosen as the album's lead single. "Break Up Song" received positive reviews from critics and it has been described it as a synth-pop track influenced by 1980s pop music. The song addresses themes of heartbreak and independence after overcoming an ex.
"Holiday" is a song released by British girl group Little Mix, on 24 July 2020 as the second single from their sixth studio album Confetti (2020). It was co-written by members Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, alongside Chris Loco, Camille Purcell and Goldfinger; the latter who produced the song. It was written during a drunk session, with lyrics being inspired about how a boy can make them feel good. Described as a pop track with electro-pulsating bass lines, it was met with generally positive reviews from critics. It reached number fifteen on the UK Singles Chart, and charted in twelfth other music markets. It has been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).
"Sweet Melody" is a song by British girl group Little Mix, released through RCA Records on 23 October 2020, as the third single from the group's sixth studio album Confetti (2020). Little Mix worked with notable names and frequent collaborators Tayla Parx, Morten Ristorp, Robin Frid, Brian Garcia, and MNEK, who co-written and co-produced the track. It has since been regarded as one of the group's best releases.
"Confetti" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released through RCA UK on 4 November 2020, as the third promotional single from their sixth studio album of the same name. The song was written by MNEK, Kamille, Maegan Cottone and TMS, and was produced by the latter. "Confetti" is a pop song with elements of R&B, pop rap and hip hop, which sees the group celebrating independence after a break-up and their individual enjoyment of life.
"No Time for Tears" is a song released by English DJ and producer Nathan Dawe and by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 25 November 2020 by Atlantic Records and Warner Records. The song was written by Jade Thirlwall, MNEK, along with Nathan Dawe, and Tre Jean-Marie; the latter who also produced the single. It was the last single that Little Mix released as a quartet, before Jesy Nelson left the group in December 2020. The track reached number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It was later included on the expanded edition of Little Mix's sixth studio album Confetti (2020).
"Wasabi" is a song recorded by British girl group Little Mix. It was released from their fifth studio album LM5 (2018), on 16 November 2018 by Syco, and appears as the tenth album track. It was co written by group member Jade Thirlwall, with MNEK, Mike Sabath, and Shungudzo, with production handled by Sabath, John Hill, and Joe Kearns.
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"Love (Sweet Love)" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 3 September 2021 through RCA Records as a single in support of their greatest hits album Between Us. The song was written by group members Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, along with Lauren Aquilina, MNEK and Sakima; the latter two also produced the song.
"No" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 12 November 2021 through RCA Records as the second single from their first greatest hits album Between Us. It was written by group members Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards, along with Tre Jean-Marie, MNEK and Camille, with production by Tre Jean-Marie and MNEK. It was the group's last single release before their hiatus in May 2022, and reached number thirty-five on the UK Singles Chart. It was performed for the first time during The Confetti Tour the same year.
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"Starburster" is a song by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. It was released on the 17 April 2024 as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album Romance.
"Fantasy" is the second single and the third song overall by English singer and songwriter Jade. It was released on 18 October 2024, through RCA Records along with the B-side track "Midnight Cowboy". Jade worked with Mike Sabath and Pablo Bowman on her second single, whom she worked with on her debut single "Angel of My Dreams". Described as a funk and disco song by publications, the lyrics touches on the subjects of sexuality, sex-positivity and sexual fantasies.