Devotion [10th Anniversary Edition] [2 LP]

A handful of collaborations released during 2010 and 2011 hinted at 's range and potential. The singer outclassed her fellow vocalists on 's and ; she displayed exquisite restraint on the former's "Right Thing to Do," while she had her way with the latter's lancing title track. Along with the two low-key 2011 singles, "Valentine" and "Strangest Feeling," there were indications that was capable of making something like -- an album of uncommon depth, a sophisticated but stimulating hybrid of pop, soul, and adult contemporary. works extensively with , , and , but it's -- a member of , as well as an affiliate of -- who is most responsible for helping prance across the tightrope that comes with making subtle, sophisticated music. 's voice is an instant draw. Her whispers are as powerful as her wails. Whenever the lyrics read like they're aiming for the profound but appear hollow, she rescues them with elegance and power impressive enough to astound any of the elders to whom she has been compared -- included. Take the weakest link, "No to Love"; the repeated exasperation "Who says no to love?" seems utterly ridiculous, but the delivery fits into the all-consuming heartache that is alternately concealed and exposed throughout the set's duration. If this isn't the album of the year, it's at least the art-pop album of the year, or the neo-sophisti-pop album of the year, or -- beside -- the alternative R&B album of the year. As far as "proper music" from the U.K. is considered, it belongs in a class with . ~ Andy Kellman