Entertainment

Listen to Cher Lloyd's Powerful "Bind Your Love"

by Alex Kritselis

On Friday, Cher Lloyd released "Bind Your Love," another promotional single from her upcoming second studio album, Sorry I’m Late. At this rate, we’re going to hear half of the album before its May 27 release date — but I’m not complaining. Lloyd has good reason to be eager to share her new music with the world — so far, it's all been really, really good. Lloyd may not have a large U.S. fan base yet, but Sorry I’m Late is definitely shaping up to be one of the most diverse and most consistent pop albums released this year. I can't wait to hear the whole thing.

Where Lloyd’s last promotional single, “Human,” revealed her vulnerable side, “Bind Your Love” is all about showcasing Lloyd's power, strength, and devotion. On the song's first verse, Lloyd sings about being committed to protecting her partner throughout life’s ups and downs — no matter what.

Oh, I don’t care what anyone says

'Cause you and I are bigger than this

And I’ll be there just keepin’ my arms wide open

Oh, they can try to pull us apart

I’ll fight them all, I’ll cover your heart

Yeah we can fly together, we can’t be broken

“Bind Your Love” has a unique structure for a pop song in that it almost has two different choruses. First, there’s a soaring, empowering section:

When you call me I will always find you

When you need me, I’ll comfort you

And when you’re lonely, I will find a way to

Guide you home to me

I’ll comfort you, comfort you

Second, a harder, more electronic section begins as Lloyd repeats the powerful line, “I will bind your love, bind your love to me,” the conviction in her voice really driving the message of the song home. Co-produced and co-written by Shellback (Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble”), “Bind Your Love” has plenty of staying power. You’ll be humming along in no time.

If I had a criticism of “Bind Your Love,” it would be that it reuses lyrics from the second verse during the bridge. As I’ve said in the past, I truly believe that the bridge should be a pop song’s “wow” moment, its critical emotional turning point. Unfortunately, “Bind Your Love” sort of misses the mark on that front, but it’s another impressive, super catchy offering from Lloyd, nonetheless. (Side note: did you know that at only 20-years-old, Lloyd is already a married woman? I had no idea! She married her boyfriend of two years, Craig Monk, last November. The more you know.)

“M.F.P.O.T.Y.," which apparently stands for “Motherfuckin’ Party of the Year" (make of that what you will), will be the final promotional single from Sorry I’m Late, set to be released on May 11. I have to say, without these fantastic sneak peaks, I’m not so sure I would’ve been all that interested in hearing another album from Lloyd. But with "Bind Your Love," "Human," "Sirens," and even "Dirty Love," Lloyd's proven that she’s more than just another singing competition cast-off — she’s the real deal.

Check out the newly unveiled cover art for Sorry I'm Late below!

Image: cherlloyd/Instagram