If you previously had a taste for what Alesha Dixon’s been cooking, then you’ll be satisfied with what she serves up here. The same Eurotrash with an ‘Urban’ flava that featured on her previous efforts. Judging by the low charting of her most recent single ‘Drummer Boy’ (No. 15) and her collaboration with grime collective Roll Deep, ‘Take Control’, (No. 29) it would appear that the propulsion given to her career by Strictly Come Dancing has worn off. A return to oblivion can’t be far behind.
The Fergie to Cheryl Cole’s Diana, one is the people’s princess, the other most certainly isn’t. Both can claim to be the most successful graduates of their girl group alma maters. Both are in the unwarranted position of judging other people’s talent. But only Cheryl can boast the popularity to save an album filled with dated electro, Auto-Tune reliant vocals and shrill dancefloor ditties aimed at the independent lady, from sinking without a trace.
This album is filler, more or less from start to finish. Only the title track and ‘On Top’ make you believe that they are going to go anywhere – but they don’t or not very far at least. The rest is inoculated from originality, with trite lyrics, rude boi rappers (Jay Sean, Wiley) and those dreadful, piercing notes, held for what seem like forever, cascading into a ‘thumping’ beat, making the whole shebang sound like an ode to Country Clublands.
In sum, Alesha lacks the visual Viagra that Gaga’s apparel provides, the ‘Oh Matron’ humour of Katy Perry and the pop panache of Beyoncé.
KEY Track: ‘The Entertainer’