Perrie serves some straight talk on anthemic If He Wanted To He Would

Perrie knows her way around a breakup song. With a catalogue boasting Top 10 solo debut Forget About Us, Little Mix's Shout Out to My Ex and a literal Break Up Song, it's safe to say she's cracked the formula.

But If He Wanted To He Would is different.

After 'pressing pause' on her solo output to redefine her artistic identity, Perrie returns with a sound that's 'authentic' to her this Friday - and the gorgey hun's only gone and given us an exclusive First Listen.

"Come round to mine and tell me what's been happening. You say it's him, that's not very surprising. Your eyes are red, I can tell you've been crying. You say you're fine but you're lying..."

Over its twangy acoustic guitar intro, it's immediately obvious this isn't just another Perrie heartbreak song. If He Wanted To He Would sees Perrie assume the role of confidante, serving a struggling friend some much-needed straight talk.

Thematically, think Destiny's Child's Girl and Little Mix's very own Told You So. A story of sisterly solidarity in the face of a sh*tty situation. That common thread of female empowerment that's always run through Perrie's work.

Like, she even threatens to 'f*ck him up if you wanted me to.' She's riding hard for her bestie.

Co-written by Perrie alongside Nina Nesbitt, the country-influenced track lays it out in black and white: "He can't do the basics, and that sh*t's essential."

Then comes the huge pop chorus. Proper anthemic, stadium-ready stuff that sees Perrie flex her greatest instrument: that voice.

"He'll buy you flowers but he won't call you back. Ruin your life and then tell you 'relax.' A look, I get it, if the sex is kinda good. But guess what, honey? If he wanted to he would."

It's a hook that wouldn't sound out of place on Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway album, while sounding so unmistakably Perrie.

And for all its advice, If He Wanted To He Would is ultimately very fun. It's cheeky, and Perrie's renewed confidence in her sound is palpable.

"His sense of vanity got you out here doing charity. He thinks he needs a lover, what he really needs is therapy.

"Don’t forget your worth, he never puts you first. I wanna see you with the love I know that you deserve."

Reflecting on the last nine months, Perrie tells Official Charts:

"At the end of last year I was feeling so much pressure to release music and move quickly. I wasn't happy and didn't feel like the music I was releasing was right.

"During one of my therapy sessions, my therapist said 'if you're not happy, just take away that pressure and stop for a bit.' She was right, and I decided to press pause on my music. 

"I went back in the studio and spent time writing songs that were totally authentic to me and about subjects that were close to my heart, without the pressure of having to hit a release date. I absolutely love the album I have created and I'm really proud of it.

"This is the music I want to make. I hope you love it as much as I do."

Perrie's If He Wanted To He Would is released Friday August 22 via Sony Music.