The last time Gwen Stefani released a solo project was eight years ago with 2006's The Sweet Escape. Meanwhile, No Doubt has remained relatively present with 2012's Push and Shove as the band's latest release. (Plus, it has already been confirmed that a seventh No Doubt studio album is in the works.)
However, Stefani's solo efforts have always piqued more interest. Her music has always thrown a punk-checkered wrench into the pop music machine, and the tracks often set the bar for tastemaking — rather than acting as simply delicious, consumable tunes. And, "Baby Don't Lie," her first solo single since The Sweet Escape, is no exception.
It's a rich mix of island influence and Pharrell-like bump-and-grind. Rihanna would've owned the hell out this had Gwen Stefani not helped pen the track and kept it for herself. But, since Rih's been gone for a minute sonically, this will just have to do. It's the best of both worlds, really. No lie.