Taio Cruz - Rokstarr

He's spent the last year writing hits for other artists (Sugababes, Cheryl Cole, JLS to name but three), celebrated a top 5 hit with Tinchy Stryder, and he's just launched his own brand of sunglasses - so what's next on the agenda for the multi-talented Taio Cruz? A new solo album of course, and 'Rokstarr' sees more pop gems destined to take over the charts.

The first half of the producer-slash-singer's second solo CD employs uptempo electro-pop synths, genius melodic parts and big production - no finer example is his recent number one single, 'Break Your Heart'. 'No Other One' is the sibling to Stryder collaboration 'Take Me Back', 'Forever Love' employs house synths and club beats, but more exciting is 'Dirty Picture' - a sassy, sleaze-pop duet with R&B starlet Ke$ha - that combines the U.S. sound of N.E.R.D., with a UK club slant.

The second half, and majority of 'Rokstarr', is more ballad-based. It also brings with it many comparisons to other chart-topping artists. The epic 'Falling In Love' for instance, is the electro-equivalent to Take That's 'Greatest Day' and predecessor 'Only You' shares a similar likeness to Gary Barlow and Co. The Akon-baiting 'Best Girl' is heavy on Auto-Tune vocals and shuffling R&B beats, yet the Gospel organs and drum combination of 'I'll Never Love Again' has similar qualities to Beyonce's 'Halo'.

'Rokstarr' is by no means a bad album - but being such a talented artist, it would have been nicer to hear Taio Cruz creating something a little more distinctive - to avoid sounding generic at times.

Still, with his gift of melody, parts of the record are unforgettable and some of the best tracks you'll hear this year.