Shontelle: Shontelligence

Shontelle Layne has inevitably drawn lazy comparisons with fellow Bajan R&B export Rihanna, but her debut reveals her to be a rather different proposition. Rather than diva stylings and look-at-me production, Layne opts for thoughtful songwriting and an understated vocal presence; her aesthetic is more akin to a female Ne-Yo, though her gifts are not yet so finely honed. Still, she does a fine line in mopery. On Cold Cold Summer, for instance, she turns to cigarettes and rum to keep her warm despite the 98-degree heat. And the clarity with which she depicts a grey, familiar loneliness on her breakthrough hit, T-Shirt, ensures that it overcomes its faintly formulaic musical structure. Layne also shines when nodding at her dancehall heritage: the twanging, strutting Focus Pon Me is particularly delicious.