Sound of a Woman

Recording information: Goon Rock Studios, Venice Beach, CA; Living Room Studios, Oslo, Norway; Lokal Legend Studios, New York, NY; OnGaud Studios, Chicago, IL; Stadium Red Studios, New York, NY.
Photographer: Renee Cox.
On her full-length debut Sound of a Woman, Kiesza capitalizes on the success of her '90s dance-reviving hit "Hideaway" and moves beyond it at the same time. Savvily, the album begins with the single that started it all, and what a track it is: a sleek, sexy nod to '90s house, "Hideaway" remains catchy enough to be played on Top 40 radio without compromising any of its danceability. One of 2014's finest dance-pop tracks, "Hideaway" may still be Sound of a Woman's brightest highlight, but the album's other peaks could've been hits for Black Box or CeCe Peniston back in the day. On tracks like "No Enemiesz," "Giant in My Heart," "Over Myself," and "The Love," Kiesza and producers Rami Samir Afuni and Simen & Epsen revitalize the stark beats, pulsing keyboards, and soaring vocals that defined '90s dance with zero irony and lots of energy. The Hideaway EP already suggested that Kiesza was broadening her horizons, a brave move for a new artist so closely associated with a particular sound. Then again, she began her career singing folky material, so she's already proven she's unafraid of change. She gives her '90s fondness a hip-hop bent with "Losin' My Mind," a low-slung track featuring Mick Jenkins and a gritty beat, and "Bad Thing," a collaboration with rapper Joey Bada$$. Elsewhere, she tackles ballads like the title track and the delicate cover of Haddaway's booming hit "What Is Love?" At its best, Sound of a Woman is a potent reminder of how much fun this sound was -- and is. ~ Heather Phares