Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson’s first album since 1998’s more subdued Velvet Rope is sexier and contains some great dance tracks; here, the production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis has created a sound bed of smooth, sexy dance pop. The disc’s title cut, already a No. 1 hit, has a spacious quality that’s reminiscent of the song “Good Times” by the late ‘70s dance group Chic; it’s got a recurring guitar lick that sounds like Chic’s Nile Rodgers, too. On many of the ballads, or shall we say “sex ballads,” Jackson owes a lot to Madonna’s Erotica—especially on "Would You Mind," which is positively orgasmic. "Trust a Try," which should be a single, is more rock than pop and contains a strong electric guitar groove. And Jackson stages a surprise rap duet on "Son of a Gun" with Carly Simon—it’s odd, but you won’t forget it. All in all, this looks—and sounds—like it’ll be one of this coming summer’s biggest hits.