Album Review: Katy B "Little Red"

Katy B
Little Red
Rinse.FM/Columbia

Katy B laid her whole life's story on the dancefloor for her debut record, 2011's "On A Mission". The underground production, aversion to making generic "let's drink-party and have sex" songs and powerful vocals made it stand out amongst her contemporaries and garnered her a Mercury Prize nom. So how do you outdo yourself on your follow-up when you've set it so high for yourself?
Katy drags us back into club for another night of tell-alls, set to a soundtrack inspired by the early 90s. "Little Red" exudes a sexual prowess that "On a Mission" showcased a bit. Case in point, "All My Lovin'" where Miss B goes into great detail about a late night rendezvous with her man. "Can you see my cheeks red, as my palms sweat
You can cut the tension, come on, cut it please" she coos over echoing drums. Album opener "Next Thing" , could be about finding alternative for a night on the town or a long intimate session. The album isn't without it's emotionally captivating moments. "Crying For No Reason" and "Emotions" delve deeper into relationships where the love went sour on one end of spectrum or the other and reconciliation is the only way to make some type of amends. 
The Jessie Ware-assisted "Aaliyah", released back in 2012 on her "Danger" EP,  wanders into "The Boy Is Mine" territory, with each girl lamenting that their respective men are being lured away by the late R&B songstress, or her tunes to me more exact. "Aaliyah please? This is green envy, why must you taunt me girl?" A a dance floor mantra to follow for the ages. "Everything" brings back the properties of the oft-sampled "Show Me Love" by Robin S. : snares fit for striking poses, sporadic handclaps and a reassuring chorus. Lyrically, "Little Red" seems less developed with some questionable one liners more fitting for Katy Perry's catalogue of hits. Sampha's flat and occasionally cringe-worthy vocal range and downtrodden production on "Play" makes it the only wrinkle on a near flawless garment. "Little Red" is a new classic and a house DJ's wet dream.

Recommended Tracks:Crying For No Reason, Everything, Emotions, Sapphire Blue, Aaliyah