Sticks + Stones is the debut album by British singer and rapper Cher Lloyd. The album was released on 7 November 2011. The lead single from the album, "Swagger Jagger" peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart. The second single, "With Ur Love", was released on 30 October 2011. It features American singer Mike Posner. The album will be released in 2012 through Epic Records in the United States^[1]

After the final of the seventh series of The X Factor, it was announced that Cher Lloyd had been signed by Syco Music.^[2] Songwriter Autumn Rowe^[3] and producer RedOne^[4] were soon rumoured to be working on Lloyd's debut album.^[5] On 28 July 2011, Lloyd previewed five tracks from the album during a UStream session, including tracks featuring Busta Rhymes, Mike Posner, Ghetts, Mic Righteous and Dot Rotten.^[6]

Initial reception from critics has been mixed. Gordon Smart of The Sun stated: "It's a real mixed bag of an album, with some solid pop songs on the tracklisting. But her rapping won't win over hip-hop purists who listen to her idol Nicki Minaj."^[7] Shaun Kitchener of Trash Lounge gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, claiming: "Cher can’t really get away with labelling ex-mentor Cheryl Cole’s Girls Aloud output “too cheesy” when the majority of Sticks + Stones makes 'Love Machine' look suitable for inclusion in Kerrang", but adding "And yet, just as we suspected during her better X Factor moments, the girl’s on to something. Is [this] her critic-silencing breakthrough? No... But the signs of greatness are there, if you’re willing to put your opinion of Cher The Character on hold long enough to judge Cher The Artist."^[8] 4Music gave the album 5 out of 5 stars, stating that "Sticks + Stones is one of those rare albums that you can listen to all the way throughout skipping a track. "Want U Back" and "Dub On the Track" are two highlights.^[9] This Must Be Pop chose Grow Up as their Song of the Day.^[10]

The album's debut single, "Swagger Jagger", leaked onto the internet on June 15.^[11] The single was released on 31 July 2011,^[12] reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart on 7 August 2011. It has gone on to selll over 202,000 copies, resulting in the single being awarded a silver certification.

"With Ur Love", a track featuring American singer Mike Posner, was released as the second official single on October 30, 2011. The single peaked at #5 in Ireland, #4 in the UK and #3 in Scotland.

"Want U Back" will be released as the third official single from the album, set for a release date of 12 February 2012.^[13]

Notes

• "Playa Boi" interpolates portions of the composition entitled "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry.
• All writing and production credits are taken from "Sticks + Stones" album booklet.