Joss Stone

Joss Stone may have cast off her sunshine-sweet hippy image and become a scarlet-haired siren for this, her third studio album, but she appears to have devoted more attention to her appearance than her material. Despite skillful production by Raphael Saadiq (Mary J. Blige, the Roots, TLC), Introducing... is an unremarkable collection that blends uptempo, Motown-esque beats with Stone's trademark crooning. The lead single "Tell Me 'Bout It" is typical of this sound: Built from equal measures faux-vintage production effects and sexually-amped lyrical platitudes, it is pleasant, but wholly forgettable.

There are a few standout tracks, however. Buried in the midst of such predictability, "Put Your Hands on Me" is an unexpected gem, matching the sweet rush of "I Want Candy"-style beats with a magnificent vocal performance from Stone—who exploits every frustrated moan and breathy echo. "Music," too, is a rare pleasure—a languid, reverent song that even a misjudged cameo from Lauryn Hill can't sink.

- Abby McDonald
03.22.07

Joss Stone defiantly titled her third album Introducing Joss Stone, dismissing her first two albums with one smooth stroke. Stone claims those records were made under record label pressure, but as a young adult of 19, she's free to pursue her muse in her own fashion. However, Introducing Joss Stone isn't radically different from what Stone has done before. The professional in-the-pocket grooves have been replaced by drum loops, the warm burnished sound has been ditched in favor of crisp, bright sonics, Harlan Howard covers are pushed aside for cameos by Common and Lauryn Hill. It's a cosmetic change that works: Introducing does sound brighter, fresher than her other two albums, pitched partway between Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera, yet sounding very much like Texas at their prime. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi