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