Guerrilla

"Guerrilla" is a song performed by British recording artist Alesha. It was released on September 8, 2008, by Ensemble Entertainment, as the third single from her fifth studio album The Second Coming. Written and produced by Alesha, "Guerrilla" is noted for its Spanglish lyrics and militaristic themes. A brooding electronic number, "Guerrilla" contains references to Cuban revolutionary Ché Guevara and Argentinean leader Juan Perón. The song depicts Alesha as a revolutionary figure as she declares herself a "one woman army."

"Guerrilla" received positive reviews from critics, who praised its Latino influence. Released alongside "Disciplinary", "Guerrilla" topped the singles chart and became Alesha's best-selling single at that point in her career. Alesha never recorded music videos for "Disciplinary" or "Guerrilla" due to her intense touring schedule, her second consecutive single release with no music video. Live footage from the Jesus Christ Supertour was serviced to music video channels instead. The single release was nominated for Best Single / Album Art at the 16th Urapopstar Awards.

Background and composition
Alesha began writing and recording for her fifth studio album in late 2007, with sessions continuing into the first quarter of 2008. The Second Coming is a pop album heavily influenced by electronic and alternative music. Alesha drew on religious and military themes, depicting herself as both a Messianic and revolutionary figure. "Guerrilla" is an example of the latter. Inspired by Latin American culture and history, the song has Spanglish lyrics. It references both Cuban revolutionary Ché Guevara and Argentinean leader Juan Perón.

Musically, "Guerrilla" is a brooding, electronic song with Cuban drums. "Guerrilla" was released as a single alongside "Disciplinary" in September 2008. B-sides included previously unheard tracks "Icarus" and "Sobriety." Alesha also included two authorized mash-ups, one of "Disciplinary" and Shell Ruin's "My Teaches" and another of "Guerrilla" and Putanovska's "Commander in Chief."

Critical reception
"Guerrilla" received acclaim from contemporary music critics who praised the song's Latino influences and production qualities. Peter Robinson from Popjustice said "[it] is a really brilliant track." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic said some of the songs from The Second Coming "really show off the skills of Alesha and Ruin as producers", exemplifying "Tsunami of the Soul", "Disciplinary", "Original Sin", "Devils to the Ground" and "Guerrilla". He also referred to the song as a "stuttering electro-clip". Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy gave "Guerrilla" four stars, calling it "a two fingered-salute to the media hounds and an electro-thudding cry of defiance, warning us that this popstrel is not for turning." Dennis Lim of Blender called it one the best tracks of The Second Coming along with "Disciplinary".

Live performances
"Guerrilla" was performed for the first time on 2008's Jesus Christ Supertour, which launched on August 1 in Dublin, Ireland. The song is performed in the show's third set. Alesha performed "Guerrilla" as the first track in the "Revolution" section of 2009's Apocalypse City Live. It was also sung during 2010's The Reckoning, in a medley with "Brooklyn to Brixton" and "Shoot to Kill". The song was, however, performed by itself at 2010's Judgment Day, a televised greatest hits concert at Wembley Stadium.

Track listing

 * CD1
 * 1) "Disciplinary"
 * 2) "Guerrilla"
 * 3) "Icarus"
 * 4) "Disciplinary" (Ugandan Hebephile Teaches MetroMix)
 * 5) "Disciplinary" (Live from the Jesus Christ Supertour)
 * CD2
 * 1) ”Guerrilla"
 * 2) "Disciplinary"
 * 3) "Sobriety"
 * 4) "Guerrilla" (Colombian Concentration Camp MetroMix)
 * 5) "Guerrilla" (Live from the Jesus Christ Supertour)


 * Digital remix EP
 * 1) ”Disciplinary"
 * 2) "Disciplinary vs My Teaches"
 * 3) "Guerrilla"
 * 4) "Guerrilla vs Commander in Chief"

Chart performance
"Disciplinary"/"Guerrilla" debuted on the official singles chart at number one, becoming Alesha's sixth (and second consecutive) number one. The single, despite a lack of music videos or any real promotional push, went on to become the best-selling single of Alesha's career at that point in her career. "Disciplinary"/"Guerrilla" sold 398,122 copies and was certified platinum.