Nicole Scherzinger featuring will.i.am - Baby Love

It was clear throughout the Pussycat Dolls' early success that lead singer Nicole Scherzinger was destined for solo stardom. Although most of the girl group’s hits were scorching hot dance-pop, Scherzinger shows off some versatility with her new down tempo single “Baby Love.” Featuring reserved production from will.i.am, this breezy love tune is sure to be one of the first pop hits of the fall.

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Nicole Scherzinger’s upcoming solo debut album, Her Name Is Nicole, was originally preceded by the single “Whatever U Like.” Unfortunately, the club track’s dizzying beat and hip-hop flare never caught on at radio. Interscope was forced to quickly release single number 2. However, “Baby Love” is the polar opposite of “Whatever U Like,” as omnipresent will.i.am puts to use his subtle, acoustic-style production techniques that helped make Fergie’s most recent single “Big Girls Don’t Cry” one of the biggest pop hits of the year.

Throughout “Baby Love,” Nicole utilizes every trick in her vocal arsenal as she coos, squeals, whispers and belts her admiration for the love of her life. Although the lyrics are nothing music fans haven’t already heard, the melody is so beautifully pleasing to the ear that it really doesn’t matter. “Love” is the type of song that grows on listeners with each successive play. That should give the track legs at pop radio well into the fall.

Although the tune does feature an unneccesary guest verse from will.i.am, it lasts only a few seconds before we are back to Nicole’s crooning. She may still be best known as lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, but with songs like this, it shouldn’t be long before Scherzinger is a household name on her own.