N-Dubz: 'Against All Odds'

"It was us against the world, no one wanted to know," N-Dubz declare at the start of their new album, all too aware of their shaky beginnings in the music biz. Starting out as pirate radio favourites and the stars of interactive TV series Dubplate Drama, the trio were dealt an early blow when their manager (Dappy's father "Uncle B") passed away and they lost their first record deal. However, in a remarkable reversal of fortune, the group have since established themselves as a platinum-selling urban-pop sensation - a transition reflected in abundance on Against All Odds.

Everything about N-Dubz's second album is scaled up from their debut. Lead single 'I Need You', all booming synths and glitzy production, is their biggest-sounding tune yet - and it's got the top five chart showing to prove it. What's more, the Camden trio can now attract some rather enviable collaborators. The radio-friendly 'No One Knows' boasts a hearty chorus courtesy of Gary Barlow, while the trio team up with Mr Hudson for next single 'Playing With Fire', which blends gritty rhymes with an impressive call-and-response hook.

The singalong choruses of 'Say It's Over' and 'Shoulda Put Something On' show off their pop smarts to similar effect, but N-Dubz haven't sacrificed their street appeal. If anything, there's an increased swagger and attitude at play on Against All Odds. Dappy's trademark "na-na-nai"s and Tulisa's "oh-ohs" are each pimped up on the grimey 'Na Na', while 'Duku' – N-Dubz lingo for endearment – is a kooky rap-off with Fearless on which Dappy deals the winning blow: "My album's the slut in the charts."

At times, Against All Odds can come off a little too cocksure, but Tulisa goes some way to redressing the balance on solo showcase 'Comfortable', a heartfelt love song that provides a welcome break from all the bravado. Likewise, the trio show plenty of warmth on 'I Don't Want To Go To Sleep', as they reflect on their achievements and pay tribute to fans and family. "I just want to stay awake, get off my face," they sing – and at this stage in proceedings, who would want to deny them that?

Catchy hooks and ear-snagging lyrics abound, but the album's production is frequently fresh and distinctive too, a credit to knob-twiddling Dubber Fazer. Snottier listeners won't be convinced - this is a record that features the couplet "Never have I seen a man run so fast / I'm surprised he never done a poo poo", after all – but many, many others will enjoy Against All Odds, a strong, cohesive collection that places N-Dubz at the forefront of British pop. A position, you suspect, they'll be taking up with relish.


> Click here to read our recent interview with Dappy from N-Dubz