After making her musical debut on the iCarly soundtrack in 2008, Cosgrove began planning her first album with the Columbia label.

[3] Contributions to the album's production came from several producers, including Dr. Luke, the Matrix, Espionage, Rock Mafia, Darkchild and Max Martin.

Sparks Fly sold 36,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.

[4] "Kissin U" was released as the sole single from the album in March 2010, peaking at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Cosgrove stated, "Before that, I didn't see myself making an album, but when I spent time in the studio doing the theme song and saw how much fun it was, I wanted to go back.

"[5] On February 5, 2009, Cosgrove released her debut solo recording; the five-song EP About You Now exclusively onto the iTunes Store.

In February 2010, Cosgrove announced the album's first single would be titled "Kissin U", which was first heard by the public live in an interview with Ryan Seacrest.

The song "Adored" was co-written by Cosgrove and the Matrix, who produced it and was a free digital download two years before the album's official release, first as a rough mix and later as a fully mastered version.

The song "Charlie" was co-written by Nicole Morier and Greg Kurstin who produced it and was released as a bonus track exclusively on the iTunes deluxe edition of the album.

Her current sound, the mixture of club beats and the sugary sweet pop, will probably hit well with the younger end of her audience.

Tracks like “Disgusting” will probably land well with older teens, but when they can listen to its writer on the radio already, I don't see the need for them to buy this album.

"[13] To promote the album, Cosgrove performed the single "Kissin U" live at the Kids Choice Awards pre-show.

The song is performed when the bride has second thoughts about the wedding due to her love for Carly's older brother, Spencer (played by Jerry Trainor).

The music video was directed by Alan Ferguson, and features Cosgrove and her love interest as they flirt doing daily things.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who reviewed the album for AllMusic, gave the album a negative review, stating that "Miranda winds up buried underneath the weight of production on Sparks Fly — it often comes across like a cross of Miley Cyrus and Kesha's full-frontal assault."

"[32] However, Jeff Giles of Popdose gave the album a more positive review, stating "...Sparks Fly is a perfectly bite-sized chunk of perfectly bite-sized pop - In other words, songs about boys and girls, written by men and women, and performed by some of the sharpest studio vets in the business.

"[33] Greg Victor of Parcbench also gave the album, as well as Cosgrove herself, a positive review, stating "It is brilliantly produced and won’t let you down if you are looking for some fun, new, uncomplicated music."

[34] Sparklingstar.net also gave the album a positive review, and stated that "Sparks Fly has that classic pop album sound and songs, if you are a fan of Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears you will be fan of Miranda, one thing I must say is that her voice sounds great throughout the entire CD, and she took it to find songs that fit her voice.

"[35] Commonsensemedia.org gave the album a mixed review, saying "Formulaic at best, painfully predictable at its worst, Sparks Fly could only be appealing to the youngest of ears, not jaded by hundreds of similarly sounding releases.

Miranda Cosgrove does bring a unique sincerity to this bubblegum love-in, and despite the forgettable accompanying pop instrumentals, her message comes through loud and clear.

[37] Erin Clendaniel of Billboard said in her review of the album, "Full of saccharin-sweet pop riffs and head-bobbing beats that one would expect from a Nickelodeon TV actress, iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove's debut album, Sparks Fly, delivers the total tween package.

Production from the Matrix and Espionage, among others, enhances Cosgrove's pretty standard delivery, but some of her lyrics are strangely vague.

And the piano-based ballad 'Hey You' briefly alludes to the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus, while 'Shakespeare' name-drops Jeff Buckley (who died in 1997 when Cosgrove was only 4 years old).

Elsewhere, paired with upbeat guitars and drum machines on the girl-power anthem 'There Will Be Tears,' the singer happily belts out about being 'the one that got away.'