When the debut album by ex-Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock starts, the omens are good. The opener, “Look into My Eyes”, is an electro-pop stonker with a roots reggae break at its close. So far, so tasty. Cast eyes down the track-listing and the majority of songs come in at under three minutes. Often a good sign, indicating a willingness to cut flab, keep things snappy.
The consistent nod towards Pinnock’s Caribbean heritage is the most likeable thing about My Ego Told Me To. The best of it impressively amalgamates such flavours with contemporary pop production. “Dead and Gone” is an ode to killing off her people-pleasing production-line-pop persona , and it skanks with conviction, matched by her bullish singing. “Revival” is pared-back, dubstep-touched space-pop, redolent of Santigold, or even Beyoncé. If the rest was a match for these, the album would be one of 2026’s more compulsive pop efforts.
There are other solid moments, such as the Jamaican guitar throb of “FREE” or dancefloor roll of “Been a Minute”. And the brief “You ARE a Star” interlude, featuring her grandparents ruminating, is a sweet touch. But, unfortunately, most of these 15 tracks are forgettably smooth, the sort of music one might hear in a high street leisurewear store, without realising they were on.
There are far too many beige bedroom bubblers and suburban pick-up joint plodders, which the light reggaeton touch cannot save. Cuts such as the fret-wrangling power ballad “Goodbye Goodmorning” or garage-laced “Talk to Me Nice” noodle along but never hook. In short, there are intriguing snifters of potential here, but they are nowhere near fully realised.
Below: Watch the video for "Dead and Gone", a highlight of Leigh-Anne's My Ego Told Me To album
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