Nicole and her sexy chums are back with a new single – I Hate This Part – and here’s a shocker: the barely-clad raunchy look is replaced with a pretty, feminine styling that I love.

In a rare ballad opportunity for the ‘Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger really gets to show off her voice. Coupled with sensitive lyrics “I hate this part right here/I just can’t take your tears”, this is a side of the Pussycat Dolls that we rarely see amid the gyrations.

Is it weird that, as a guy, I prefer this non-gyrating version of the ‘Dolls?

They have some form is releasing a ballad as the second single – think back to PCD and the Stickwitu single. However, that was more of a low-key tune compared to the drama of this single, which reaches quite a climax toward the end.

I’ve always felt that Nicole Scherzinger was marketing herself poorly in her solo career. Not only does she look stunning in the video, but for the first time, you can appreciate her as a singer. This gets a thumbs up from Unreality Music.

When we first heard about the new Pussycat Dolls single, it was tempting to gloat about Nicole Scherzinger coming back with her tail between her legs.

OK, it’s fair to say that Nicole’s solo stuff didn’t set the charts on fire, despite some high profile collaborations. But secretly we’re glad she’s back where she belongs. Aren’t you?

The song is a fairly standard riff on every kids dream of being famous.

Now, When I Grow Up isn’t quite up to the same standard as Don’t Cha, but it isn’t a bad start. Interestingly, the Armored Stereo blog says that it sounds like Scherzinger is still peddling her solo material, but recognises that she’s got a great voice all the same…

For our part, it’s nothing like a vehicle for Scherzinger. Her solo stuff was mostly too-smooth R&B material. Pussycat Dolls do loud, ballsy pop with infectious choruses. Their image is younger, scrappier and more fun than anything Nicole did alone.

It’s still debatable whether this will be the high-impact single the Dolls need to secure their return to pop. However, it’s a good enough start, and the video’s a pretty hot reminder of why we liked the Pussycat Dolls in the first place.

When I Grow Up is due for release in the UK on 8 September 2008.

According to Idolator, Nicole Scherzinger will be returning to her raunchy song and dance act after her solo career failed to set the charts alight.

Nicole’s decision to go solo after the Pussycat Dolls first album was something which shocked me. The Dolls had barely broken as an act, though admittedly Nicole was the only member of the group people recognised. Surely the music equivalent of premature ejaculation, Nicole decided that the time was right to go it alone.

And while part of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger was the focal point, alone she failed to capture the public interest – despite keeping company with the likes of Timbaland, will.i.am and Mr Sean Combs.

Nicole’s obviously a talented and ambitious girl. She’s got a slender figure most women would kill for, and a smoky singing voice that could bring a man to his knees. But something’s missing from the mix that’s keeping Nicole from hitting the big time. Reading between the lines, I think she comes across as almost coldly ambitious – the hanging out with the right hip-hop megastars, the premature move toward a solo career and something in her character that is hard to identify with, for men and women.

Couple that with a couple of bland R&B singles, and you’ve lost the thrill of the original PCD material. Maybe if she’d been a bit more patient and bided her time in Pussycat Dolls, we could have got to know her better.

Unfortunately, her return to the PCD fold now looks more like a ‘tail between the legs’ rejoining rather than a continuation from a couple of years ago. Shame. What do you folks think?

Just when you think Timbaland’s run out of tunes, along he comes with a new single, Scream. And he’s brought protege Keri Hilson and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger along for the ride.

While it’s not the most immediately accessible single from the Shock Value album, Scream will grow on you like every Timbaland single before it. The intro has a funky vibe to it, with Timbo getting out the guitars and some authentic sounding drums for a change.

The whole song’s a seductive number, with Hilson and Scherzinger apparently in a battle to be the most breathy and sultry singer on the track. This is where Hilson really shows her abilities – she not only holds her own against the more established Pussycat Doll with a great voice, and a fantastically slinky figure. I get the impression 2008 is going to be the year Keri’s career will skyrocket.

Miss Scherzinger does an admirable job too, although at times watching the video, it’s easy to get confused between the two girls.

Let’s talk about the Scream video for a moment, shall we? Who decided that putting balaclavas on hot women was a good idea? I can’t imagine too many guys out there have that particular fetish. Well, they might after they watch the video.

Here’s a quick tip on telling Keri and Nicole apart: Nicole has an open top balaclava and her hair comes out the top. Keri wears a closed balaclava.

Anyway, final verdict is – though it’s not the strongest single from Timbaland, it’ll grow on you, and it’s got a grinding rhythm that’ll probably come in handy for…well…grinding…;)