"Sanctuary" is forgettable, though it does allow Gabriella to show off her blues-drenched vocal style. The melancholy guitar of "Einstein" reminds me of classic early-era Suede. While the criticism of scientific progress might not be as erudite as New Model Army's "White Coats" it still packs an emotional punch, with the line: 'You can put a man on the moon/ But you can't save that baby.' Elsewhere "Got No Place To Go" threatens to be merely satisfactory, but the following line intrigues: 'There's a caterpillar in my soul/S'what you get when you don't get no.' The instrumental break has some cool 80s sounds.

"Don't Want To Go To Bed Now" has the feel of recent Girls Aloud, though Gabriella has a very different singing voice compared to Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberly, Sarah and Nadine. It's little surprise that there are Girls Aloud comparisons to be made, as they share song writing and production team Xenomania. There's an 80s feel to the synth and a 70s glam rock touch to the rhythm – the mix works well. "Messy" takes us another decade back in time, to the 60s, with the lyrics: 'You make my hips go swing!' Gabriella manages to sing this line without sounding silly, which is something of an achievement. "Awkward Game" sees us back in Amy Winehouse territory. It's interesting to her Cilmi's voice paired with a simple guitar. The song builds with some 80s synths in the background.

With its piano-led melancholy "Safer" reminds me of Xandria's "Eversleeping". Perhaps thankfully Gabriella hasn't in a Gothic Metal direction. "Cigarettes And Lies" makes a bid for authenticity with that dust-in-the-needle sound. Synth and brass stabs threaten to make this song an essential listen, only for Gabs to conjure the Crazy Frog while singing: 'Maybe, baby, maybe...'

"Terrifying" is more Girls Aloud-esque pop. Cilmi's vocals sound distant, but the infectious beat makes me want to get my dancing trousers on. "Sit In The Blues" has an 80s Sade feel. I suddenly have the urge to visit a wine bar – do such things even exist any more? I was prepared to dislike "Echo Beach" but the guitars during the introduction sound more Gothic than the original making it essential listening.

This album is a competently put together modern pop record with a more distinctive than usual singer. Putting aside debates on authenticity, the singles are pop classics, and there are no howlers on the rest of the album.