A lot can happen in a year, just ask Fifth Harmony. In that time, the girl group put out an album, produced hit singles, embarked on a world tour, lost a member, bounced back and returned to making music that proves they are a force to be reckoned with.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The group’s third studio album, the self-titled Fifth Harmony<\/em>, is out today. For many, the album begins a new, telling chapter in the group’s continuing story, as it marks their first LP as a four-piece following Camila Cabello’s sudden departure<\/a> in December. While all five original members shared vocals equally, Cabello slipped into the role as the resident diva, and was the first to branch out as a solo artist by collaborating with Shawn Mendes (“I Know What You Did Last Summer”) and Machine Gun Kelly<\/a>\u00a0(“Bad Things”) prior to her official exit from the group, and is set to release an EP of her own next month. As is the case with most vocal groups who lose a member, critics and fans alike expressed concern that the group’s best (and most successful) days were soon behind them.<\/p>\n For the remaining ladies of 5H—Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke Hernandez, Dinah Jane Hansen and Normani Kordei—their new album certainly ushers in a new era. Not one of turmoil and deterioration, but rather one filled with opportunity for them to focus on their strengths collectively, allowing them to really shine and have a lasting presence that girl groups before them have eventually seen flicker out.<\/p>\n The ten-track LP opens with “Down,” their first single sans Cabello and featuring rapper Gucci Mane. The beat resembles the girls’ first top 10 hit from 2016, “Work From Home,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, making it a smart choice for a lead single. However, plenty of other gems are found within the album, particularly the party banger “Sauced Up,” which is bursting with catchy hooks and perfect for mainstream radio.<\/p>\n