Christina Aguilera debuted tracks from her new album Back to Basics at an intimate gig in Camden last night.
In truth it was more of a PA than a fully-fledged gig as the pint-sized poppette only performed for about half an hour, playing seven songs, including new single 'Ain't No Other Man'.
It was quite a corporate affair, heavily sponsored by two leading mobile phone companies, whose competition winners made up much of the audience, and at times it felt more like watching a video shoot than an actual gig.
Aguilera's new album 'Back to Basics' is a slight departure from her signature raunchy R'n'B, embracing Thirties Jazz and Blues influences. It seems she's been listening to more Billie Holiday than 'Billie Jean' recently. On stage, she's ditched the leather chaps of her 'Dirrty' days, embracing a more glamorous look of Monroe-eqsue platinum curls and sailor's uniform. Lyrically, she's keen to show her range extends beyond X-rated innuendos, with songs like 'Oh Mother' which, she explains, was inspired by her mother who 'got us out of a domestic violence situation at home' when she was a child.
That's not to say that the new songs are lacking in concupiscence. Justin Timberlake has already declared he's 'bringing sexy back', and who better to further the cause than his former Mickey Mouse Club pal.
