Nicole Scherzinger - Killer Love by Alex Mason

Released 5th September, 2011 - Universal Music

She first crooned and whispered her way across the airwaves with The Pussycat Dolls' hit Don't Cha. Since then Nicole Scherzinger has teamed up with the likes of A.R. Rahman and Enrique Iglesias, left her troupe of lovely ladies, and joined music mogul Simon Cowell's team of judges on the US version of The X Factor.

Scherzinger is one hot mama, but whether she has the chops to make it as a unique leading lady, against competition like Beyonce and Adele, remains to be seen. Her debut solo album Killer Love is a decent attempt at a polished pop keeper, but it falls slightly short.

There's a lot of radio filler on this album. While not totally lacklustre - there are a handful of tracks you might shake along to, like Don't Hold Your Breath, Say Yes and Rihanna-style club banger Wet - something is definitely lacking. A remix of Scherzinger's collaboration with Enrique Iglesias, Heartbeat, will appeal to those who like their bass heavy, but this is not an album of dance floor fillers or even shameless girly bedroom belters. Songs like boringly, blatantly sexual Right There don't help raise Scherzinger above her pussycat slinking to something more refined, and Club Banger Nation sounds oddly like a Zumba soundtrack featuring yapping Chihuahuas.

One of the tracks that does boast a bit of vocal substance is Leona Lewis-influenced Casualty, and Scherzinger channels Beyonce on You Will Be Loved. Closing number Amenjena is written from the heart and refreshingly simple, but Desperate is the definite stand out on the album. This track sounds nothing like the Nicole Scherzinger we're familiar with, nor like she's imitating another female artist; it's a beautiful pop ballad, with catchy lyrics and great vocals as she ranges beyond her signature husky sultriness.

Scherzinger is capable of much more than this album - vocally she can stretch further than anything on here. Her turn as Phantom of The Opera's Christine in this year's Royal Variety Performance wowed the audience and demonstrated just that. (If you missed it, it's definitely worth checking out.)

 Here's hoping she shows what she's made of on a much bolder sophomore album.

Tagged as : Nicole Scherzinger | Killer Love | album review |