The Saturdays may have two babies on board, but that hasn’t stopped the fierce fivesome from releasing a new single — ‘Gentleman’.

Still “Pop”, the Funk flavoured cut presents a marked musical shift for the group, who’ve found most success with their dancier numbers.

Will this sound risk pay off for Rochelle, Vanessa, Una, Mollie, and Frankie? You decide after the jump…

Hmmm…

Ever enjoy the concept of song more than the song itself? For us, ‘Gentleman’ effortlessly sits in that category. Yes, it’s a welcome departure from the EDM that has defined most of The Sats’ catalogue, and yes it helps them re-brand as a group that is more than a one-trick pony. However, the track itself is a non-event. Indeed, beyond sounding like a B-Side, the only memorable moment isn’t a “good” one, it’s a cringe one. Case, point the name dropping of countless Hollywood “hotties”. Everyone from Kanye West, to Ryan Gosling, to Lamar Odom receive a shout-out, yet not a single British name. Nit-picking on our part? Perhaps? Yet, we stick by our stance that it’s strange to see a UK group pander so shamelessly to the US market — a market that has yet to fully embrace them – on a song that sounds so British.

Maybe it was a political move to secure another season of their US E! series or just laziness in not altering the reference track (the song was penned by talented American songwriter Priscilla Renea). Whatever the case, it once again feels like Vanessa and co are going through the motions somewhat.

Still, and as strange/contradictory as it may sound, we wish them luck with the release. After all, the UK charts have seen songs much worse perform exceptionally well.

‘Gentleman’ hits iTunes on June 30th.

Your thoughts?