Cheryl worked with a variety of writers and producers including frequent collaborators and new ones to create her desired sound, she also contributed a large amount of writing herself.
The album was preceded by lead single "Crazy Stupid Love", which featured British rapper Tinie Tempah, released on 18 July 2014.
[citation needed] Following months of speculation, Cheryl confirmed that Girls Aloud's reunion would occur in November 2012.
[7] In July 2013, Cheryl uploaded a picture of a music studio to her official Instagram with the caption: "Back with my first true love", hinting that new material could potentially be on its way.
The album's lyrics explore themes of being at peace with oneself, banishing bad influences and living life to the full.
Like the introduction, "Live Life Now" continues to sample Watts speech, while Cheryl sings lyrics about money and desires.
[20] "Only Human" is an electro-ballad, with vocals layered in the style of Imogen Heap according to Bradley Stern of Idolator, the song contains encouraging lyrics built over a glittering production.
"Coming Up For Air" featuring Joel Compass, is described as the album's most "adventurous" song and "carries just the vaguest hint of the creeping, skeletal production of BANKS and FKA Twigs.
"[24] "Fight On" is backed by a choir and pounding percussion, with ethereal, tribal beats and lyrically sees Cheryl telling the story of a girl seeking sanctuary.
While both covers featured the same headshot of Cheryl, the editions differed in their design aspects; the standard cover shows the singer with leopard print makeup around her left eye, while the deluxe shows a stripe across her left eye that is torn away, to reveal a face of a leopard.
[27] Cheryl and Tempah performed "Crazy Stupid Love" for the first time on the final of the eighth series of Britain's Got Talent on 7 June 2014.
[23] In June 2014, Cheryl announced the album's lead single, "Crazy Stupid Love", for release on 18 July 2014.
[30] The song was co-written by Bonnie McKee, Jocke Ahlund, John Newman and Cheryl, was released on the iTunes Store on 31 October 2014.
[20] The song debuted at the top of the UK charts, setting a new record for most number-one singles by a British female solo artist for Cheryl, with five.
Digital Spy editor Lewis Corner gave Only Human a predominately positive review, calling the album "one of her most focused and cohesive records to date".
Corner criticised, however, that some songs should not have made it onto the album ("Beats N Bass") and that they "never really peaks the way it should"("Coming Up for Air"); he called one track "thin and limp" ("Throwback").
[43] Ed Potton of The Times gives a largely positive review, citing Alan Watts and "the importance of doing what you love" as the driving force behind songs like "Live Life Now".