Killer Love

Recording information: Beverly Hills Mansion, Beverly Hills, CA; Henson Studios, Hollywood, CA; Kinglet Studio; Koryland Studios, Barcelona, Spain; Mason Sound, North Hollywood, CA; MSR Studios, New York City, NY; Roc The Mic Studios, NYC; Solid Sound Studio, Nice, France; Soulpower Studios; Sound Tracks Studio, Boston, MA; South Point Studios, Miami, FL; Studio Elevator Nobody, Gothenburg, Sweden; The Bunker Studios, Paris; The Record Plant, Los Angeles; Thom Thom Club, Santa Monica, CA; Triangle Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA; Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Nuno Muñoz.
Work on Nicole Scherzinger's debut began way back in 2005, just after the release of the Pussycat Dolls' first album, but things never quite went as planned. Years passed and the album never materialized, perhaps because every single released failed to make more than a ripple on the charts, and the album was pushed back in favor of a second Pussycat Dolls album in 2008, and when that still didn't ignite Scherzinger's solo career, she wound up appearing on and winning Dancing with the Stars in 2010. After that, Killer Love -- the original title Her Name Is Nicole long being abandoned -- saw the light of day in Europe before making its way over to her native U.S. There's no clear reason for the slow roll-out other than the album sounds not too dissimilar from a Pussycat Dolls album, a professional piece of product that hits all of its marks with precision. Scherzinger sings with finesse but Killer Love belongs to the producers, primarily RedOne, The-Dream, and StarGate, who turn in modern dance-pop with a distinct Rihanna flavor. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine