Don't_Say_Love

Don't Say Love

Don't Say Love

2023 single by Leigh-Anne

"Don't Say Love" is the debut solo single by British singer and songwriter Leigh-Anne, released on 16 June 2023 by Warner Records. It is her first solo endeavour after Little Mix began their hiatus in 2022. Leigh-Anne, alongside Gregory Aldae Hein wrote the lyrics whereas Jon Bellion, Jimmie Gutch and Pete Nappi participated in the composition and production of the track.

Quick Facts Single by Leigh-Anne, Released ...

Described as a UK garage and dance-pop track, the lyrics were inspired by Leigh-Anne's frustration that came with feeling invisible in her career. The music video was released the same day as the single and represents the singers rebirth in life and music, as she embarks on a quest to find herself. Upon release, it was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised the song's production and vocals.[3]

The song topped the UK Singles Sales Chart, while reaching number two on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. It entered at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart, and was named the second most purchased physical single in the UK during the summer.[4] It also entered the charts inside Ireland, Latvia, Hungary, Croatia, New Zealand, and Nigeria.

Background

Pinnock signed a solo record contract with Warner Records in February 2022.[5] In May, following their Confetti Tour, Little Mix announced an extended hiatus in order to pursue solo careers.[6] In March 2023, Pinnock shared that she had been working with producer Kuk Harrell.[7] In May, her manager stated that a music video, as well as "photos and trailers", were being worked on.[8] The single's artwork was inspired by Pinnock paying homage to Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi album cover.[9]

Release and promotion

On 5 June 2023, Pinnock initiated speculations about her debut, tweeting the hashtag "#LeighAnneIsComing" and encouraging fans to join her Discord server.[10] She wiped her Instagram profile and posted a 26-second teaser video of the song, then titled "DSL";[10][11] the video, described as "futuristic", shows Pinnock dressed in an "sparkling sequinned leotard".[10][12][13]

On 8 June, she announced the single and posted the cover art, revealing that she had waited an "incredibly long time" to do so. The song was made available to pre-order and pre-save on streaming platforms.[8] In an interview with British Vogue, Pinnock shared an exclusive 16 second preview of the music video.[14] Leigh-Anne continued to tease the song and the music video with daily uploads featuring behind the scene footage and visuals teasers of the music video.[15] The single and its music video were released on 16 June 2023.[16]

The song had its debut performance at Capital's Up Close with Lucozade Zero.[17] It was later performed at Vevo's London Studios.[18] In October the song was performed at KISS Haunted House Party and in November at S&C presents Hugo Nights.[19][20]

On 21 July 2023 a remix of "Don't Say Love" by Mas Tiempo featuring rapper Skepta and grime MC Jammer was released.[21] An R&B remix of the song was released on 4 August 2023.[22]

Composition

Carl Smith of the Official Charts Company described "Don't Say Love" as a song that "fuses elements of dance with a hint of nostalgic UK garage".[1] Leigh-Anne described the track as a mixture of R&B, amapiano, UK garage, afrobeats, and pop, and stated that, lyrically, it is about wanting to be loved,[14] "[expressing] the pain and frustration that came with feeling invisible and unheard for so much of [her] career."[2]

Billboard's Lars Brandle described the track as a "beats-heavy nugget with lashings of UK garage", with lyrics about someone who "no longer seeks external validation and who seeks to regain back their confidence after feeling unheard misunderstood".[16] Rolling Stone's Tomás Mier described it "as an upbeat dance-pop track."[2] Charlotte Manning from Attitude, described "Don't say Love". "as the track opens with thumping beats, which give off an uber cool garage vibe."[23]

Music video

The music video for "Don't Say Love" was directed by Emil Nava.[24] Leigh-Anne said that the video is about "trying to escape the feeling of being overlooked and undervalued", adding that she wanted to get across emotions of "frustration, sadness, [and] anger" through the video.[14] Jenke Ahmed styled the video; there are eight different "looks" in the video.[14] She further noted that the music video is a visual representation of her "finding [her] voice".[16]

At the end of the music video Leigh-Anne teased the second single release with a teaser of the next song titled "My Love".[25]

Critical reception

Following its release, Harrison Brocklehurst from The Tab included "Don't Say Love" in his list of the best solo singles from former girl group members, describing it as "absolutely astounding [...] fresh, chic, [and] effortlessly cool."[26] Gay Times' Lewis Corner described it as an "infectious new song with a cinematic visual that positions [Leigh-Anne] as an exciting force in pop in her own right."[24]

Charlotte Manning from Attitude, described "Don't Say Love" as a "pop anthem", giving praise to the song's lyrics and to Leigh-Anne vocals.[23] NME's Kyann-Sian Williams described the track as "dance–pop" with influences track of garage and house-inspired that "sees the star deal in the complexities of love".[27] Steffanee Wang from Nylon described it as a "00s, breakbeat pop banger."[28]

Track listings

  • Streaming/digital download
  1. "Don't Say Love" – 3:00
  • Streaming/digital download – Mas Tiempo remix
  1. "Don't Say Love" (Mas Tiempo remix) – 2:32
  • Streaming/digital download – R&B version
  1. "Don't Say Love" (R&B version) – 3:00

Charts

More information Chart (2023–2024), Peak position ...

Release history

More information Region, Date ...

References

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    "Check out this week's new releases". Official Charts Company. 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  2. [2]
    Mier, Tomás (16 June 2023). "Leigh-Anne Exudes a 'Newfound Confidence' on First Solo Single Since Little Mix's Hiatus". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
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    "Leigh-Anne – Don't Say Love". www.euphoriazine.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
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    "Don't Say Love is this summer's second most-purchased physical single in the UK". Official Charts. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
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    Kenneally, Cerys (3 February 2022). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock signs solo deal with Warner Records". Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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    Kelly, Tyler Damara (7 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces debut solo single, "DSL"". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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    "Leigh-Anne Pinnock has recorded with Beyonce collaborator". Music-News.com. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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    Smith, Carl (8 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces debut solo song Don't Say Love with teaser". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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    "Little Mix star Leigh-Anne pays homage to Mariah Carey in artwork for debut solo single". Retropop Magazine. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
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    Denis, Kyle (6 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock Announces Debut Solo Single 'DSL'". Billboard. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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    "Más Tiempo, AKA Skepta and Jammer, share remix of Leigh-Anne's "Dont Say Love"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
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    "Don't Say Love (R&B Version) by Leigh-Anne". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
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    Manning, Charlotte (16 June 2023). "Leigh-Anne Pinnock drops debut solo single Don't Say Love - and it's a banger". Attitude. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
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    "Leigh-Anne's "Don't Say Love" & 9 Other New Songs Out This Week". Nylon. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
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    "Don't Say Love (Mas Tiempo Remix) by Leigh-Anne". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
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