Living for the Weekend is the fourth and final studio album by British girl group The Saturdays. It was first released on 11 October 2013, and in the United Kingdom on 14 October 2013, by Fascination Records and its associated record labels. Living for the Weekend was recorded between 2011 and 2013 in Los Angeles, London and New York City. Longtime collaborator Steve Mac returned to work on the album, as well as enlisting a range of new producers and writers including Rodney Jerkins, Autumn Rowe, Diane Warren, DNA Songs, Priscilla Renea, Camille Purcell, Jim Jonsin and others. The album was preceded by their first US release, an EP called Chasing the Saturdays.

"30 Days" was announced as the album's lead single and was released on 11 May 2012 and debuted at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The second single from the album, "What About Us", was released in December 2012 and acted as the band's first international release. It was then released on 17 March 2013 in the United Kingdom and it debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the Saturdays first #1 single. "Gentleman" was released as the third single from the album in June 2013 and a fourth, "Disco Love" in October 2013, where it debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart. The album received mostly mixed reviews from critics; some pointed out that the album had a "lack of personality". Many critics thought the latter part of the album was not as strong as the first half. Upon release, debuted at number ten on the UK Albums Chart, giving the Saturdays their fourth top-ten album in the UK. It also debuted at number 16 on the Irish Albums Chart, making it the band's second top-twenty album in Ireland.

Background

In late October 2012, it was revealed to the public that the Saturdays were in talks to feature in their own reality television programme.E! Greenlights Series Following British Pop Group The Saturdays Multichannel News, 29 October 2012 Although, they had already done this previously with The Saturdays: 24/7 broadcast through ITV2. It was later revealed that American television network, E! were interested in showing their show programme. It was announced that they did sign a contract with the network and Chasing the Saturdays would be broadcast through E! internationally. The band signed a joint record deal with Island Def Jam Records and Mercury Records, to enable the group to release future material internationally mainly the United States and Canada. While the band were filming their reality television in America the band began working on new music and collaborating with a number of producers. Rodney Jerkins, who is known as "Darkchild" was revealed to be included in the band's fourth studio album. Many fans speculated that the album would be the band's last after Healy, Humes and Sandford all became mothers, but the band denied it and claimed they have been plans for the future including touring.

Development

In order to promote themselves around the United States, they performed at opening ceremonies such as MTV Video Music Awards. The group later thanked their US label for giving them a chance in the United States. The band said that their new record label[s] made them feel welcome which helped them settle in and made them feel a lot more comfortable and they felt like a "weight off their shoulders". The Saturdays said they have a lot of respect for the label[s] and said it was an "honor" to be a part of their music group as they have enjoyed massive success with their artists, such as: Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Rihanna, 2 Chainz, Neon Trees and more. The band announced that they would release an extended play in North America in early 2013. The EP was officially released in North America on 27 January 2013, entitled Chasing the Saturdays. The EP would be released once they debuted their reality television show, entitled the same name, which it would act as a promotion for the band in America. The EP would feature the band's first American single, "What About Us" as well as previous singles which massive hits in their native, including: "All Fired Up", "Higher", which featured guest vocals from Flo Rida, "Notorious" and "Ego". According to E! president Suzanne Kolb, "The Saturdays are a pop phenomenon with magnetic appeal and tremendous talent, and we are excited to capture their next chapter as they win over the hearts and playlists of America," adding that "'Chasing the Saturdays' is a perfect addition to E!'s popular Sunday night reality block, which continues to deliver can't miss original programming to viewers year-round." After its premiere in their native, Chasing the Saturdays became one of the most watched show on E!, in the United Kingdom. They also performed at the 70th Golden Globe Awards.

It was revealed by Perez Hilton that the band had been working with Demi Lovato in the recording studio. It was revealed that Sean Paul would feature on the album. When the band were introducing themselves to the American public, Rochelle Humes said she was the "mum of the group", they call Mollie King the "Disney characters" although she said "I'm not. I don't think life's a fairy tale, but I do like to see the good in situations." Vanessa White revealed she loved to party: "I love going out. I don't enjoy the hangovers the next day, but it hasn't stopped me yet." Frankie Sandford said they the music industry was all she knew as she had been in the industry since she was a child in band, S Club 8, along with Humes. Where as Una Healy introduced herself along with her daughter Aoife Belle and husband, Ben Foden. The band said that the album would be "obviously the Sats sound" Sandford said that the album would be Dancey and upbeat but would ultimately be pop. King revealed that the band had written most of the songs on the album, which they were most excited about. The band said that they would like to bring "girl power" back to the US like the Spice Girls did. King said: "Since the Spice Girls there hasn't been a British girlband to make it in the US, it would be nice for us to bring a little girl power into the scene." However, fellow girl group Little Mix's debut album, DNA, set new records for a British girl group in the US in June 2013. Healy said she was "overwhelmed" with the people she has got the chance to work with on the album.

Artwork and title In early January 2013, the band announced that their fifth album would be released later in the year, and labelled the album The Chase. Fans assumed their fifth album would be titled this, however, the band later announced that it was only a "working title" and the new album does not have a name. Healy said: [The Chase] That's the working title, it's not the actual one. I think with the whole Chasing the Saturdays and chasing success, we'll call it that for now. But it's not the definite title. We'll have another single and then the album. We've finished it though. The official artwork for the album was released on 4 September 2013, as well as the official title, Living for the Weekend. The album artwork features all five members of the band, before Rochelle Humes and Frankie Sandford's pregnancies. Healy said that the title of the album came from the band's name The Saturdays. She said everybody "lives for the weekend" and the band's name is in the weekend, which made the title even more relevant.

Composition and recording The album's lead single, "30 Days" is produced by Steve Mac. Mac who is a regular collaborator has previously produced hit singles for the band including "Ego.". "30 Days" was said to "fill the dance floor with its echoing beats" Robert Copsey of Digital Spy rated the single 4 out of 5 stars, writing a positive review about its "blend of plinky synths", "rumbling electro beats" and "addictive chorus" which is "cooler than a blast of Listerine." The song had the effect of making you want "throw your arms up". The song has an "addictive chorus". "blend of plinky synths" and "rumbling electro beats" Some critics, however, questioned "30 Days" being on Living for the Weekend as they said the song would have been a good fit for the band's previous album, On Your Radar. It was revealed that the band had begun working with Darkchild on songs which are "kind of R&B-pop". Una Healy said: We've got a good mix. I'm really excited about it because we've got to work with some cool people It was revealed by Professor Green that the band were recording with DJ Fresh. Healy said that the whole opportunity of signing US label[s] was a great step for the band to get out and build a fan base in the United States. "The whole thing; performing, recording a great album to be released later in the year, and to work with the guys at E! who were professional and friendly. It was the opportunity of a lifetime."

The second single from the album, "What About Us" was written by Camille Purcell, Ollie Jacobs and Philip Jacobs. The song was the first track to be released in North America, and the band said they did not want to change their type of music for the American public. Sean Paul features on song and it would be the only collaboration on the album. The band teased saying that "What About Us" is a pop track, and that is a good indication of what the expect from the album, and that they've paired up with Diane Warren to record a few ballads and not just pop tracks. In early December 2012, the band tweeted "In the studio today! Finishing up a few tracks for the NEW ALBUM..whoop!" Although, the band returned to record more songs later in 2013. When in an interview the band were asked if they would record music like fellow British girlband, Stooshe, in which the band said they are not "brave" enough to record that type of music. But respected Stooshe's music.

Three of the band members were mothers or expecting mothers: Una Healy and husband Ben Foden's daughter was born in March 2011, Rochelle Wiseman and husband Marvin Humes's daughter was born in May 2012 and Frankie Sandford and fiancé Wayne Bridge's son is due to be born in October 2013.Frankie Sandford and Wayne Bridge's son is due in October 2013 The band went into the studio with Arkarna and revealed they had recorded a "tune" with them.

Music and lyrics