In the 2008 biography of Girls Aloud, Roberts expressed an interest in writing and recording her own material, wanting to experiment in the studio for better understanding of the process.[1] She then started work in the recording studio, with producers such as; Dragonette,[2]Diplo[3] and Joseph Mount.[4] Roberts after a year of recording announced that she would be releasing her debut album, Cinderella's Eyes.[5] The first single "Beat of My Drum" had an on-sale release meaning it had little promotion beforehand[6] and commercially it peaked at number 27 in the United Kingdom[7] but critically it garnered acclaim from critics which Roberts described as "amazing".[8]
A second single "Lucky Day" was released shortly after and whilst gaining positive reviews[9][10][11] it failed to make an impact commercially peaking at number 40 in the UK.[12] The album was then released on 23 September 2011,[13] Roberts described the album as "electronically lead",[6] and the album was inspired by her time performing with Girls Aloud – "It would have been stupid for me to make an album that meant nothing" she said.[3] For Roberts the album was about making a risky record, where there wasn't a guaranteed commercial success, explaining to The Guardian: "It's taken every last bit of confidence just to release this record, or maybe I've just brainwashed myself into feeling more confident. I don't know if it's good, or if I've just told myself it's good."[3]
The album was released to universal positive reviews from critics,[14] reviewers such as Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times,[15] James Lachno of The Daily Telegraph,[16] Emily Mackay of NME,[11] Hugh Montgomery of The Independent and others hailed it as the best solo record from a member of Girls Aloud.[17] Commercially in the United Kingdom the album peaked at number 17[18] whilst on the digital charts it peaked at number 13,[19] in Scotland it charted at number 21[20] whilst in Ireland it peaked at number 48.[21] On 6 January a third single from the album was released, titled "Yo-Yo". The song was described as a "shining example of her pop sensibilities".[22]
In October 2011, Roberts stated that she is working on creating music and is 'happy' for other artists to use tracks that didn't make the cut on her solo album.[23] On 13 January 2012, Roberts commented on the possibility of a second album, saying, "Maybe. I'm not sure. There's lots of stuff coming up and I think there always has to be a right time. I'm always working on music and if a second album came out then that would be a great thing to happen."[24] In October 2017, Roberts stated that she would begin to work more on her own music, as well as other artists.[25] In February 2018, she confirmed that she is currently in the process of writing a second solo record.[26]
Albums
Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
For "Yo-Yo": Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: 2012". Zobbel.de. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
^ abcHung, Steffen. "Discography Nicola Roberts". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
^ abcPeak chart positions for albums and singles in Scotland:
