Little Mix may be approaching their 10th year in the industry, but there is still plenty of fuel left in the tank.
The successful UK girl group are gearing up to take over the second half of 2020 with both a new album and TV show in the works.
When it comes to the former, the four-piece this week released their second taster of the upcoming project, out later this year.
Holiday is a prime example of what Little Mix does best: breezy, carefree pop with an ebullient, tropical-sounding chorus. It's fun, frivolous and, considering the trying times that we are in, rather vital.
"We just want to spread some smiles," band member Leigh-Anne Pinnock tells The National when describing the song. "Even if people can't go on a holiday this summer, hopefully they will hear the song and be transported in their mind to a beautiful exotic location and just dream of staying there."
Holiday follows the still-untitled-album's lead single, Break Up Song, another sunny slice of radio pop that came with a colourful part-animated video shot while the UK was in lockdown.
Pinnock, 28, admits to having enjoyed a break from the stage. With Little Mix renowned for their work ethic – since winning season eight of UK talent show The X Factor in 2011, they have released five albums and conducted six world tours – Pinnock says spending time at home was an unexpected break the group needed.
“We are living in very strange times but we have started to enjoy the time off. We switched off a bit and took some time off for ourselves,” she said. “This is because I genuinely think we needed to have a break from everything.”
No signs of cracks in their bond
Basically our rule is is that if you have something to say, just say it
While they may have needed some time-out from touring, Little Mix are closer than ever.
Formed under the gaze of millions of television viewers, Pinnock says the pressure-cooker environment of the entertainment industry, not to mention becoming instant celebrities, caused the girls to form a tight-knit bond.
“It comes from us having that same sort of idea from the beginning, in that we all wanted to be successful together," she says. "We are like a family and we genuinely have fun together. It is always constant laughter.”
And, like most families, there are times when tough conversations are needed. This has become even more necessary over the past two years as Little Mix has taken increasing creative control of their careers.
As well co-writing Holiday and Break Up Song, the group also executive produced their previous album, 2018's LM5. Taking on creative and business aspects of the group, Pinnock says, meant communication between all members needed to be clear at all times.
“It definitely showed us the importance of being open with each other. Basically, [our rule is] is that if you have something to say, just say it,” she says. “We have reached that point now where we can be totally honest with each other.”
'The music industry is a strange world'
And now, for the next stage of Little Mix’s career, the girls hope to pass on some of that hard-earned wisdom to a new generation of musical talent.
Airing in the last quarter of the year on British broadcaster BBC One, the group will judge their very own talent quest, Little Mix: The Search.
With British comedian Chris Ramsey as host, the show follows Little Mix as they scour the UK for singing talent – both male and female – in a quest to form a new pop group.
The winning act will receive the grand prize of supporting Little Mix in their arena tour next summer.
Pinnock confirms filming is already happening, with no complications caused by the pandemic.
While she can’t reveal too much about the contestants and format, she does say the show will be as nurturing as it is competitive.
Pinnock says she plans to give contestants the advice she wishes she could have received at the onset of her career.
“I would tell them to prepare for what you are opening yourself up for. There will be criticism and people will say whatever they want to say about you,” she says.
“I will talk to them about seeing a therapist regularly and how that is super important. The industry is a strange world. People think it’s glitz and glam and they don’t really understand how hard it can be. People sometimes see how colourful Little Mix is and how it’s fun, but deep down everyone has to go and face issues of their own.”
One aspect she is determined to rectify with the TV show is the issue of diversity, with Pinnock keen to see more talented people of colour entering the UK pop music space.
“This is the number one thing for me, when it comes to the show,” she says. “We knew that it had to be diverse, 100 per cent, and we definitely made sure this is the case. Some of the talents that you will see are just incredible.”
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Naga
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Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
RACE CARD
6.30pm Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.40pm Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m
8.15pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
