Aussie-born singer Sia is perhaps best known for her collaborations with Zero 7, but she is an established solo performer, and this is her fifth album.  This is very much a pop record, but Sia’s singing is far more soulful than is usual for the genre, and this adds a touch of sophistication to what might otherwise risk being a pretty run of the mill album.  ‘We Are Born’ opens strongly, with the first two tracks, ‘The Fight’ and ‘Clap Your Hands’ being fine examples of well-written pop songs.  Many of the tracks are very well crafted; Sia has co-written several songs on Christina Aguilera’s new album and it’s not hard to see why she’s been drafted in.  Here, she runs the full gamut of pop, from danceable numbers like ‘Bring Night’, though the more soulful ‘Hurting Me Now’ to ‘The Co-Dependent’, which makes more prominent use of guitars and rock influences.  The problem is that in spite of this, she never pushes the genre’s limits.  Maybe that’s for the best though, as it’s the simplest straight-up pop songs that are the most enjoyable on this album.

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1. Born Blonde – ‘Radio Bliss’
2. Born Blonde – ‘Solar’
3. Lyrics Born – ‘As U Were’

R & B has been seducing boys and girls with its flirtatious grooves for an absolute age now. And this masterful new compilation, served to us lovingly by Rhino UK, works at confirming that statement. This is a stone dead three CD compilation beaming out a multitude of fine artists from the last thirty years.  Prince, Sister Sledge and Christina Aguilera just a few of the major league luminaries rubbing shoulders on this outstanding collection. The extensive sixty song set features solid favourites from the disco era like McFadden & Whitehead’s ‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now’ and goes right up to the present day electro trend with ‘American Boy’ by Estelle, for instance.  Most of the songs here will be recognised by the average man in the street. Which is another reason this mix up must be celebrated. Rhino have successfully combined quality with commercial success; not always an easy thing to pull off. In short, R & B Anthems is a fine listen and is sure to put a sparkle into these long winter nights.

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1. Young & Lost Club – ‘Compilation’
2. The James Cleaver Quintet join Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster on UK tour
3. Epigene – ‘A Wall Street Odyssey: The City, The Country And Back Again’