We Love 00s Pop: Every Girls Aloud Album Discussed
Emily Davies
•August 06, 2025•5 min read
Something Kinda Girls Aloud
Ever since we first saw them in 2002 on the reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals, very few could have predicted the spell that Girls Aloud cast on the public and the magic they would bring to British pop music.
With a career spanning over a decade, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Kimberley, and Sarah (rest in peace) released five studio albums, all of which went platinum or gold. They had a pretty unique situation in that they could collaborate frequently with Xenomania, a popular production house, which resulted in some of the most inventive and fun pop music of the 2000s.
Whether you’re here for nostalgia's sake or you’re a lifelong fan, we’ll examine their full discography and rank their studio albums.
5. What Will The Neighbours Say? (2004)
Second albums are often a bit of a shaky spot for groups, especially when their origins lie in reality TV. Will they be a one-hit wonder, or are they made of tougher stuff? Girls Aloud certainly did not back down with What Will The Neighbours Say?
“Love Machine” was the ideal blend of girly attitude and catchy lyrics that had us dancing for all of 2004! Girls Aloud really evolved out of the manufactured pop we were used to and transformed themselves into cheeky, lovable superstars packed with authentic personality and style. What Will The Neighbours Say? Went double platinum in the UK and is, for sure, the album that cemented them in the British pop hall of fame forever.
4. Chemistry (2005)
We had a bit of a throwback at times here with some retro influences weighing heavily on Chemistry, whilst the standout songs like “Biology” and “Whole Lotta History” had us shouting lyrics across the club like lunatics. Whilst Chemistry didn’t chart as highly as their other albums, it is a firm favourite for the fans.
Some say the experimental aspect of Chemistry, paired with the addition of a proper girl-group ballad, is what made this album so popular with fans. It’s still surprising that this album didn’t perform better in the charts at the time, as the songs were incredibly catchy and still very much adored now!
3. Tangled Up (2007)
My personal favourite and for many, the creative apex of Girls Aloud’s career, Tangled Up was the album that really showcased their collaboration with Xenomania, giving us synth-heavy bangers that still bring us to the dancefloor on a Friday night.
“Call the Shots”, “Sexy! No No No…”, and “Can’t Speak French” were playing nonstop on the radio and in every H&M across the UK, making it hard to believe they’d originated in a reality TV show. Honestly, it’s an album full of some of the best musical moments from British pop and definitely a record to slap on for a girls' night out!
2. Sound of the Underground (2003)
Their debut album, and one of the absolute classics when it comes to British pop, Sound of the Underground, was one of the strongest debut albums we’ve ever seen from a reality TV show winner.
The title track still remains as one of the best pop singles of the 21st century with its effortless mix of drum and bass with surf guitar and endlessly catchy lyrics. It was obvious from the get-go that Girls Aloud were absolutely not going to be a one-hit wonder, as the album went platinum and set the tone for a long and successful career.
1. Out of Control (2008)
Out of Control was their final studio album before their hiatus, and it gave us a real glimpse into a more mature side to the group. With a classy nod to '60s girl groups with singles like “The Promise,” it wasn’t as risque as previous albums, but it was certainly exceptionally well polished.
The album debuted at No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart, and “The Promise” ended up winning Best British Single at the 2009 BRIT Awards, which shows that they were right at the top of their game even after changing creative direction a little.
Honourable Mention: Ten (2012)
Okay, this album is technically a greatest hits compilation, but Ten definitely deserves a little love, as it does deliver some of the greatest pop hits out of the UK. As the name suggests, Ten was released to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Girls Aloud, and it features all of their major singles as well as a few new tracks like the ridiculously underrated “Something New”.
If you just want to get a little taste of Girls Aloud or British pop music, then Ten is an ideal starting point. It also shows just how many smash hits the girls had, being one of the most consistent girl bands the UK has had so far.
Leaving Behind a Pop Legacy
With the sad death of Sarah Harding in 2021 at just 39 years old, Girls Aloud made an appearance in Hyde Park, London, to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. This is what went on to inspire their 2024 tour: The Girls Aloud Show as a series of thirty shows dedicated to Sarah Harding.
They also released “I’ll Stand By You (Sarah’s Version)” in 2024, which was their first single for 12 years. The track featured newly discovered lead vocals from Sarah Harding from the original sessions and was the 2024 Children in Need single.
Don’t Miss the Action
Relive the magic of Girls Aloud with their Greatest Hits Show, Tangled Up, Girls Aloud Ten, The Hits Tour 2013, and The Girls Aloud Show, all available to stream right here at On Air. Get ready to sing along to “Love Machine” and revisit one of the most iconic pop acts of the 00s from the comfort of your own home!
What are some of Girls Aloud's biggest hits?
Some of Girls Aloud’s most iconic hits include ‘Sound of the Underground’, ‘Biology’, ‘Love Machine’, and ‘The Promise’.
How many albums did Girls Aloud release?
The group released five studio albums: ‘Sound of the Underground’ (2003), ‘What Will the Neighbours Say?’ (2004), ‘Chemistry’ (2005), ‘Tangled Up’ (2007), and ‘Out of Control’ (2008).
Did Girls Aloud win any awards?
Girls Aloud have won several awards, including a BRIT Award for ‘The Promise’ and an NME Award for Best Pop Act in 2009.
Does Girls Aloud write their songs?
While most of their songs were written by Xenomania, led by Brian Higgins, Nicola Roberts co-wrote some tracks, especially later in their career.
