Scherzinger recorded an entire album's worth of material prior to Killer Love that was initially going to come out in 2007, then 2008, before Interscope Records eventually shelved it altogether. The project was called Her Name is Nicole, and the singer even released two singles from the album that never took off, "Whatever U Like" and "Baby Love."
In the present day, there's a more vested interest in Scherzinger than ever. She's not just "The Pussycat Doll that dances AND sings." Thanks to X Factor, she's now a recognizable face. She's Nicole, the sexy judge on Simon Cowell's talent show. Some people even know how to spell her last name. Yet, according to reports in Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, Killer Love won't see the light of day until 2012 for reasons not released -- but Nicole herself has said she wants the U.S. release to include material that was more R&B influenced, similar to her roots, not like the dance pop she's been releasing as of late.
So, basically, Killer Love was delayed because Nicole needed more time in the studio. A poor choice on her and her label's part, especially when it comes to a singer who has released eight singles in different markets but still has no album to show for it in the States, even after big single releases like "Right There" and "Don't Hold Your Breath."
The strangest part of this whole situation isn't the strategy to delay the album's release -- it's Scherzinger's insistence on recording new material for it, material that wasn't included on Killer Love's overseas release in the United Kingdom in March 2011, and material that will likely serve as a departure from the electro-pop of "Don't Hold Your Breath."
"Don't Hold Your Breath" debuted at number one in the U.K. just before Killer Love came out over there (Scherzinger, ironically, just re-released Killer Love there with five new songs and a new single, "Try With Me"). And regardless of how you stack it, "Don't Hold Your Breath" is a well-concocted pop song, with its synths, drum beat and emotional vocal delivery. The track should serve as a benchmark for the other songs on Killer Love, not a deterrent.
An official date hasn't been confirmed, but unless Scherzinger can release another single that garners as much attention as "Don't Hold Your Breath," Killer Love could get pushed back again... and again... and again... Hopefully the irony of the name of the single isn't lost on her fans.
Chart Changes: The Billboard charts have changed policy, due to Lady Gaga storming the Billboard 200 with Born This Way back in May, when it was sold as a digital album on Amazon for just $0.99. The sales helped catapult Born This Way to number one, with sales of over 1.1 million. Under the new policy, none of the Amazon album sales would have counted: Billboard's new chart policy dictates that sales of albums priced below $3.49 during the first four weeks of release will be ineligible for inclusion and the Billboard 200, and will also not count toward overall sales.
Random Tidbit: Remember Rebecca Black? Well, she's back this week with a new single, "Person Of Interest." Let the "Friday" comparisons begin.
Movers & Shakers: For the third week, Rihanna and Calvin Harris sit atop the Billboard Hot 100 with "We Found Love." Another notable collaboration this week in the top five is "Without You" at number four, which features David Guetta and Usher. Taylor Swift reappears on the chart, twice in the top twenty, with "If This Was A Movie" at number ten, and "Ours" at number thirteen -- both of which were included on November 8's rerelease of Swift's multi-platinum third album, Speak Now.
On to albums: Mac Miller, meanwhile, the nineteen-year-old rapper from Pittsburgh, debuts at number one with Blue Slide Park. Come next week, Miller's platter will be unseated by Drake's sophomore studio album Take Care, which should have Gold sales this week. Michael Bublé's new collection of holiday songs, Christmas, moves up six spots, to number two. Lower, the soundtrack to the new Twilight movie comes in at number four and Adele's 21 at number five.
