Described as a "synth-pop ballad", "The Loving Kind" was originally written for inclusion on Pet Shop Boys' Yes (2009) before being given to Girls Aloud.

Upon its release in January 2009, "The Loving Kind" peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart, thereby continuing their six-year streak of top-ten hits.

In the music video, the group portrays the "good" and "bad" Girls Aloud as they perform in mirrored boxes.

[1] Pet Shop Boys member Neil Tennant said that they co-wrote the song while working with Xenomania, and described it as "beautiful but still dancey".

[1] PopJustice wrote that "the lyrics have the sadness and melancholy of a massive proper ballad but the production drags the song straight to the dancefloor and lends it an undeniable sense of optimism.

[12] There was also 7" picture disc made available, which included a previously unreleased B-side entitled "Memory of You", originally called "Japan".

[12] There was a mild controversy surrounding the fact that the single's B-side "Memory of You" was only available on the vinyl format and not in CD or digital quality.

Roberts recorded a solo version of the song and made it available via pre-order only with her third single, "Yo-Yo", from her debut album.

Digital Spy gave the song five stars, saying it "weds hauntingly melancholy vocals [...] to a sense of dancefloor euphoria totally at odds with the teary-eyed lyrics" and was "nothing short of dazzling, meaning 'The Loving Kind' deserves a place [...] on the list of Girls Aloud's finest ever singles.

"[10] Dorian Lynskey of The Observer agreed, calling it "best of all [...] It's bracing to hear Girls Aloud traffic in grown-up emotions".

"[16] Nicola Roberts was praised for her vocals,[15][17] which Slant Magazine felt "provide some of the album's most affecting moments.

[24] "The Loving Kind" was highly successful in the Scottish Singles Chart, outpeaking "The Promise" by entering at number two and remaining in the top 10 for 4 weeks.

[1] Pop music blog PopJustice noted that "twenty singles in, Girls Aloud have made their best video yet.

[31] On the group's 2009 Out of Control Tour, each girl is positioned in front of boxes with flashing lightbulbs, similar to those in the music video.

A version of the song by the Pet Shop Boys (named "monitor mix") was released on the reissue of the group's album Yes/Further Listening 2008-2010 in 2017.