MUSIC REVIEW: JESSIE J. - WHO YOU ARE

There have been quite a few female singers coming form the UK over the last few years: Amy Winhouse, Lily Allen, Duffy, Leona Lewis. Three of those four had an old-school feel about them and one was like Mariah before the weight gain. Now comes Jessie J. This girl is what you would get if you threw Lily Allen in a blender with Rihanna. Sassy, old-shcool, funky, hip-hop diva. Jessie has already hit it big in the UK with her debut album, Who You Are, scoring two top 10 singles: Do It Like a Dude (#2) and Price Tag (ft. B.o.B.) (#1). Her album is set for release in the US on April 12th, but I got it and I'm telling you it is sass-tastic. Price Tag is currently sitting at #78 on the Hot 100, so I need not tell you how catchy it is, but what I CAN tell you is it's not the best song on the album. That award, IMO, goes to the song I Need This, a Rihanna-worthy ballad with drums that will kill ya. It's got hit written all over it. There's a lot of retro-feel on the disc,like Nobody's Perfect and Abracadabra, but it doesn't come off as a one-trick pony. Ms. J's vocals are spot on, delivering power and emotion with the best of the divas past and present. Who's Laughing Now is a classic tell-you-off number, Big White Room and Who You Are are beautiful and Do It Like a Dude has crunchy guitars rockin' a fat beat. You really have to pick this one up ASAP. FUN FACT: Jessie J wrote Party in the U.S.A. for Miley Cyrus, but I won't hold that against her. Ha. She has also written songs for Justin Timeberlake, Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys. Work, girl!! ALSO, watch her this weekend on SNL with host Zach Galifanakis. Here's Price Tag (ft. B.o.B.) for you to enjoy this morning.