Gwen Stefani Releases 'Spark the Fire,' New Pharrell-Produced Single

Stefani is attempting to reemerage as a solo artist after a lengthy hiatus -- her last full-length, The Sweet Escape, came out in 2006.  

Recently she appeared on a Calvin Harris track and put out "Baby Don't Lie," a new song that came together with help from hitmakers like Benny Blanco and Ryan Tedder.

Gwen Stefani’s New Single ‘Baby Don’t Lie’ Is Here: Listen

"Baby Don't Lie" was a shiny track with a big sound, but Stefani backs away from the sticky anthems on "Spark The Fire." This song has a thin, strange beat, combining an insistent triangle and a eclectic assortment of drum sounds. Stefani shows off the kind of chant-singing that made her a solo success during the '00s on hits like "Hollaback Girl." She also interpolates the Rolling Stones -- "hey, get off my cloud" -- and quotes another recent Pharrell production, Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." 

Stefani's third solo album is due next month.