Leona Lewis has released the audio for Collide a couple of weeks ago. The song is the first track to be taken from the pop singer’s as yet untitled third studio album, due for release in November this year.

Leona Lewis came into international recognition with her 2007 hit Bleeding Love. That song made her the first-ever X-Factor winner to have a worldwide smash hit. Her first album Spirit also peaked at the top of the album charts, but her second album Echo failed to enjoy the same success.

With Collide as the lead single from her next album, it seems Leona Lewis is taking on a more dance-oriented style. The song starts off with a tap-worthy beat and a mellow piano backing. The song is catchy in its own way. The main problem I have with it is that it is kind of all over the place. It builds and drops when I’m ready for the beat to get heavier. Even when the beat does get interesting already, it suddenly goes mellow again, and I’m like “come on, give me 8 more bars of that thumping so that I can try dancing to it.” I mean, it is a dance-pop anthem, right? Even with Leona Lewis’ beautiful voice, the sudden drops make the song sound as if it were a remix of a ballad.

It took multiple listens before I started to like the song. At best, the song is likeable, the lyrics generic. At worst, the song is forgettable.

There’s also a bit of a controversy surrounding Collide. Even though Swedish DJ Avicii has been credited as one of the people behind the song, Avicii explained in a recent tweet that he didn’t produce it and that neither he or his manager approved it. There was even this exchange below.

Let’s let Leona Lewis’ producers and management and Avicii’s side talk it over. Maybe everything will get settled, or maybe not. Their choice. For now, listen to Collide. Do you think Leona Lewis is set to conquer the charts with this song? Sound off in the comments section below.