Back 2 Life

The rollout for 's third album -- her first one since 2009 -- truly began with "Back 2 Life," a fine downcast breakup ballad quoting 's "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)." Rather than echo 's dauntless optimism, turned it into resignation and capped the refrain with "I love you even though you ain't good for me." The single reappears as the second track on the album, retitled as "B2L" with an intro that captures a real-sounding scene from a faltering relationship. The greater portion of comes from a similar place of romantic turmoil, but its moments of pain and unease do alternate with warm slow jams and assured dancefloor grooves with the singer facing new horizons. "In the Name," a faultless ballad that sounds '80s classic and 2010s fresh at once -- not unlike 's "Request" before it -- is a career highlight. That, "B2L," and sweet opener "I'm Ready" make worthy of notice. ~ Andy Kellman