DNA

DNA is the debut studio album by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 16 November 2012 via Syco Music. The group started recording the album in December 2011, and concluded in September 2012. Throughout the recording process, Little Mix worked with several producers, including TMS, Future Cut, Steve Mac, Jarrad Rogers, Richard “Biff” Stannard, Ash Howes, Jon Levine, Xenomania, Fred Ball and Pegasus. The album was co-written by Little Mix and they stated that they were involved in the development of the album as much as possible. Sonically, the album is primarily a mixture of pop and R&B records, with influences from dance-pop, and pop rock, as well as Latin pop on specific songs. The album’s lyrical content explores empowerment, relationships and heartbreak. Songs on the album were also co-written by members of other girl groups, including Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Shaznay Lewis of All Saints and T-Boz of TLC.

DNA received mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album’s lead single, “Wings”, was released on August 26, 2012, reaching number one in UK and Ireland, as well as charting in Australia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium, Canada and the US. The second single, “DNA”, was released on November 11, 2012, peaking at number three in the UK. Two post-album singles were released: “Change Your Life” on February 3, 2013, and a remix of “How Ya Doin'?” featuring American rapper Missy Elliott was released on April 17, 2013.

The album charted in the top 5 in eight countries, including number two in the UK, and at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100; making Little Mix the first girl group since The Pussycat Dolls in 2006 to reach the top 5 with their debut album, as well as earning the highest debut Billboard chart position by a British girl group, breaking the record previously held by the Spice Girls‘ debut album Spice.