Kelly Rowland: 'Here I Am' - Album review

It's certainly been an interesting ride for Kelly Rowland since 2007's Ms. Kelly. She was dropped by her former label Columbia in '09 and has since forged her own way back to the top; firstly by taking an extended break in Europe to work with an array of top DJs, followed by winning herself a spot on this year's X Factor panel. Now a fully-fledged dancefloor diva, is Here I Am the triumphant return from Kelz we were hoping for?

The David Guetta-helmed and Grammy award-winning 'When Love Takes Over' was a near-perfect start, while follow-up 'Commander' successfully continued the same levels of boombast. That said, the Euro-friendly formula wears painfully thin on her latest single 'Down For Whatever'; and we're pleased to report that the remainder avoids falling into a pit of strobing beats and predictable innuendo.

US monster hit and Lil Wayne collabo 'Motivation' is a lascivious bump 'n' grinder with lyrics oozing enough sexual tension to make Hugh Hefner blush ("Oh lover, don't you dare slow down/ Go longer, you can last more rounds"), while future single 'Lay It On Me' is a booty-bouncing ditty that contains more sauce than a Heinz factory.

Her sass dial remains cranked throughout, especially when confronting her two-timing beau on 'Turn It Up' ("I could tell her that you said you loved me/ I can tell her that you're so unhappy"); though she occasionally deviates into the generic on dated cuts 'Heaven & Earth' and 'Feelin' Me Right Now'. Nonetheless, behind the balancing act of R&B vs. dance, Rowland's confidence is what is most striking about the record; and there's enough of it here to finally lift the Destiny's Child alumnus from Beyoncé's shadow.

Tracks to download: 'Lay It On Me', 'Turn It Up', 'When Love Takes Over', 'Motivation'
If you like this, you'll like: Rihanna, Beyoncé, Ciara

Watch the music video for 'Down For Whatever' below: