The Pussycat Dolls have been away for quite a while now. Whilst in the UK we are used to seeing Nicole Scherzinger on our screens, ‘React’ marks a return from the whole band following a staggering 10 years away. However the group are one member down with their reunion, as Melody Thornton has elected to pursue her own solo ambitions.

The song itself is a collaboration of writers, of which Scherzinger is one, and it tells the story of an uncomfortable break up. It has been heard before, as it debuted in November as part of a medley on the X Factor finals, but this is the first time it has been released and it is already receiving a lot of interest from audiences around the world. 

From the outset the feel of the synth is catchy and makes the vocals that sit over the top raunchier. The sound and image the Pussycat Dolls launched when they started their careers is here in abundance in ‘React’. The vocals are strong, the backing is subtle, but provides a texture and energy to the track that is edgy, with atmospheric reverb a solid beat sitting underneath, there is plenty of spice to the track to bring all the fans back to the girls. The melody is really interesting, with intricate rhythms, breaks and variety, it shows that the team of writers here have really utilised the skills in singing and production to create an absolute hit. 

As you would expect from the Pussycat Dolls, the video is filled with sassy dance and tightly choreographed moves that will have other groups of youngsters copying and working their own versions of. Considering it has been 10 years since the last release, ‘React’ sounds like the group has never been away. The vocals, production and image are as sharp now as ever before and this will surely be the start of the next chapter for the Pussycat Dolls. 

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Author: Phil Arnold

Phil Arnold is a musician, producer and music reviewer from Devon, in the South West of England. Whilst not writing music reviews, Phil also writes and records under the name of Ugbrooke.