Cher Lloyd’s Debut Album Finally Seeing U.S. Release

Over the past two years, Cher Lloyd, in the U.K. and now in the U.S., has experienced a meteoric rise. After finishing fourth on The X Factor, she put out “Swagger Jagger” and other hit singles and, last November, released her full-length debut album, Sticks + Stones. The album, too, was a hit, opening at No. 4 on the U.K. charts. But why just remain a hit pop star in the U.K.? Lloyd met with Epic’s L.A. Reid during the first season of the U.S. X Factor, and after putting out single “Want U Back,” which has spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Epic is releasing Sticks + Stones in the U.S.

Lloyd, in speaking with Billboard, talked about Epic’s and Reid’s direction for her U.S. career. She said: "He understands exactly what I want to do with my career and he's backing me all the way."

Sticks + Stones gets its U.S. release on October 2. However, changes to appeal to the U.S. top 40 were made – including two new tracks, titled "Behind the Music" and "Oath." Along with the new music are collaborations with various producers and artists, including RedOne, Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Kevin Rudolph, Busta Rhymes, and Chad Wolf. About the release, Lloyd stated: "People will be surprised. It might change people's views on me as an artist. I love to experiment and do different things, and still be pop as well."

Lloyd and One Direction were part of the same X Factor season. About the rise of these British performers, Scott Seviour, Epic’s senior vice president, told Billboard: "If One Direction is the new 'N Sync, then Cher Lloyd is the new Britney Spears."