Paula DeAnda
Texas-born Paula DeAnda's slick, solid debut disc does something most teen singers attempt, but few fail to accomplish: It glimmers with youthful energy that should appeal to her age group, and it offers enough weighty flavor to attract older listeners. DeAnda's vocals are confident and charismatic on party jam "Make 'Em Clap To This" and urban-tinged debut hit "Doin' Too Much." Follow-up radio single "Walk Away (Remember Me)" is even better, like a lost track from Mariah Carey'sMimiopus. It helps that DeAnda's street-savvy collaborators include Frankie J, Happy Perez, Natalie and soul heartthrob Ne-Yo, who produced most of the disc's vocals. "Easy" rides a psychedelic pop groove, and "When It Was a Me" is a tear-stained ode to lost love, anchored by impressively emotive vocal work. Keyboards mingle with synthesized beats throughout the disc. And DeAnda, so charismatic and fresh, is simply irresistible. --Joey Guerra