Some songs come from heartbreak, some from late-night thoughts, and others simply come from being completely fascinated by another person. For March Fry, “Cheryl Cole” comes from the latter, turning intense admiration into a warm, playful, and surprisingly thoughtful introduction to an artist with plenty to say.
Released as the debut single from Fry’s first album, In No Time, “Cheryl Cole” gives listeners an early glimpse into a project built around letting go, growing up and finding your way back to yourself. It is an introduction that does not take itself too seriously, yet there is plenty of emotional substance underneath the surface.
Fry’s musical world sits comfortably between Neo Soul, Indie Pop, Bedroom Pop and Indie R&B, creating plenty of room for both intimacy and personality. There is a soulful quality to the songwriting, but the overall approach feels relaxed and personal rather than overly polished or distant. It is the kind of music that feels like it could have been created in a bedroom, a notebook and a moment of genuine inspiration.
And then there is the subject of the song.
“Cheryl Cole” is not simply about admiration based on appearance. Fry approaches its namesake as someone whose character, confidence, warmth and humanity have sparked a much deeper fascination. That distinction gives the song more personality, turning what could have been a straightforward celebrity crush into something closer to a celebration of the qualities that make someone genuinely compelling.
There is also a wonderfully cheeky sense of humour running through the concept. Fry’s admiration is clearly intense, almost delightfully excessive, but that is precisely what makes the idea so entertaining. Rather than hiding behind coolness, the song embraces the excitement of being completely captivated by someone.
That openness fits neatly into the wider world of In No Time. Fry describes the album as warm, honest, playful and humorous, with songs centred around love, loss, freedom and the stories people carry with them. “Cheryl Cole” adds a lighter shade to that picture, showing that personal songwriting does not always have to come wrapped in sadness or seriousness.
As a self-written and self-produced debut, the track also introduces March Fry as an artist with a clear sense of identity. There are familiar reference points in the mix, from the soulful songwriting of Pip Millett and Olivia Dean to the introspective character of Arlo Parks and Sienna Spiro, but Fry is beginning to carve out a lane of their own.
What makes “Cheryl Cole” particularly appealing is its sense of sincerity. Beneath the playful concept is a simple reminder that admiration can reveal something about the person doing the admiring too. Sometimes, becoming fascinated by someone can remind you of the qualities you value, the people you hope to meet and even the kind of person you want to become.
With “Cheryl Cole,” March Fry makes a debut that feels refreshingly human. It is soulful without being overly serious, funny without becoming disposable, and personal without shutting listeners out. If In No Time carries the same balance of vulnerability, wit, and warmth, Fry could have a very interesting story to tell.
March Fry makes an effortlessly charming introduction with ‘Cheryl Cole’
March Fry: Spotify
