Love Is a Drug (album)

Love Is A [...] is the upcoming debut album from American actress and singer-songwriter Leighton Meester. The album is due for an early 2010 release. The lead single from the album, "Somebody to Love" featuring R&B artist Robin Thicke, was digitally released October 14, 2009.

Background

Meester described her debut album with an "electro-pop edge" rather than bubblegum, being edgy and danceable. She has worked with Lil Wayne, JR Rotem, Kara Dioguardi, Spencer Nezey of Jupiter Rising, Polow Da Don, Harvey Mason, RedOne, Clinton Sparks, Bonnie McKee, and Kenna. Her influences for the album include Madonna, Britney Spears, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Gwen Stefani and Fergie. Meester states that "they’re very strong women and have a completely unique sound."

Recording

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly in May 2009, Meester gave an exclusive listen to three songs that she had recorded for the album. "Push and Pull" was described as an elegant anthem about making a relationship work; Meester stated that the song "takes my breath away". The song "Almost Perfect" shows Meester as she takes a break from electropop for a stripped-down ballad lamenting a lover’s lies. The song ends with Meester bluntly spitting, "F--- you". Then there’s the pulsing “Lights Out”, produced by J.R. Rotem (Britney Spears), which has her singing very un-CW things like, "Don’t turn the lights out/I bet you like to watch". Meester has also stated that she recorded songs outside the Universal Republic label. Cover songs like Awesome New Republic's "Birthday" and "Bette Davis Eyes" have the electropop sound she describes to be on the album but Meester was unsure whether to include them or not. Another song called "Body Control" leaked in July 2009 and generated positive reviews from fans as she maintains the "electropop edge" that keeps her current with current musical trends. Meester also collaborated with Lil Wayne on the track "Make It Rain". Leighton stated that she gave Lil Wayne multiple songs to choose from to be featured on, and he chose to be featured on that one.

Singles

"Somebody to Love", featuring R&B singer Robin Thicke, was released as the lead single from the album. It hit radio on October 13 and became available for digital download on October 14, 2009. The music video was directed by Zoe Cassavetes and was released online on November 8, 2009.