Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

You might be forgiven for not even realising that Natasha has a new album out since this has been released in the USA but the European album will be different and called 'Strip Me Away'. As with her previous releases 'NB' and 'Pocketful Of Sunshine', there have been marked differences between track listings on the albums and the same will be happening here. For example the first single from the European version of this album will rather confusingly be "Pocketful Of Sunshine". Not sure for the reason for taking this approach but this 13 track release certainly brings enough material to sate the appetite of any Natasha Bedingfield fan. The vibe of the album is the stock in trade inspirational uplifting pop of previously released albums, best illustrated by "Unwritten". The provocative title cut worryingly sounds as if Natasha's gone for the sexual approach of some of her contemporaries but nothing could be further from the truth. It's interesting that this album is pitched at making an impact on the American market and yet it is packed with Europop dance grooves best illustrated by songs like lead single "Touch", "All I Need" and "Break Thru". There are moments when Bedingfield lets her soulfulness shine, particularly on "Run, Run, Run" and there's no doubting there is plenty of top quality production thrown into this and yet I'm left feeling that even with album number three, she's still not produced something that will propel her permanently into the pop premier league.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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