There’s a romantic and mysterious aura that seeps into Melody Thornton’s solo single, “Love Will Return.” From the big band production to Thornton’s riveting vocals, it’s almost shocking that a gem so bright was hiding in plain sight.
The recent release is the lead single for her forthcoming EP expected to be released next year. Formerly a member of the pop group The Pussycat Dolls, Thornton has shown off her singing chops over the years through the group’s most popular tracks like “Buttons,” “I Don’t Need A Man” and her 2012 solo project, POYBL. With “Love Will Return,” Thornton pays homage to inspirations like Eartha Kitt and her Arizona roots. Co-producing the track with Eric Zayne, the singer shared with VIBE how cinematic the creative process was.
“The entire evolution of the song was magic,” she explained. “There’s just something spiritual about it. It moves me in a way like no other song I’ve written before.” The track is a strong introduction to her vocal abilities that appeared to be gravely overlooked during her PCD days.
Last week, The Pussycat Dolls reunited without Thornton, leaving many wondering why. “What I want for myself and for my bandmates are for them is to really enjoy their lives,” she told Chart Show TV in January when rumors began to surface of a possible reunion. “When I was in the group, I was a kid…I’m primarily a vocalist. Nicole had been signed twice so it only made sense for her to sing the majority of the leads. But then, I kept being asked to wait my turn and it never came– and we only released two albums. So it’s this mistaken identity that I’ve kind of had to unravel. For me, there’s really nothing to go back to.”
The ladies are all on good terms with Thornton as Nicole Sherzinger and the rest of the ladies wished her well wishes on her solo endeavors. “It just didn’t align [with] where she is in her life right now,” Sherzinger said. “She’s doing a lot and doing her own music and we totally respect and understand and support her.”
Nonetheless, we’re thrilled about Thornton’s new journey.
Listen to “Love Will Return” below.