It's About Time [Vinyl]

You know her from the infectious single "AM To PM" which hit the top position on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart in 2001, yet that was just a taste of what this multi-faceted young woman is capable of.Christina Milian is a multi-talented phenomenon whose resume includes film, television, theater and music. With starring roles in feature films and her highly-anticipated debut album "It’s About Time" ready for release, Milian is poised to take the entertainment industry by storm. One listen to "It’s About Time" and it is clear that Christina is in a decidedly more mature space. "I’m older now. When "AM To PM" came out I was a teenager. Now I’m 22 and so songs on this album have a little more depth to them." The depth is evident by the album’s R&B vibe and lyrics that have a bit more edge. You can feel the sexy point of view on cuts like the up-tempo "Love." Produced by Warryn Campbell and featuring label mate Joe Budden, "Love" vibrates with a retro 80’s dance club feel.

Just when you thought the current surplus of pop princesses would cause the leather-miniskirted bottom to drop out, along vamps Christina Milian with a crackling new CD whose 12 songs outshine "AM to PM," her 2001 hit. In the Cuban-American Milian, J-Lo has found her heir apparent (not that she was looking): The songs spotlight a similar sex-i-fied energy, jumbling attitude, vulnerability, and a jigger of jadedness into a heaving, R&B-leaning, red-hot heap. The secret is whip-smart production--credit players who have worked with Alicia Keys, J-Lo, and Mariah Carey--especially on "I Need More," which showcases an array of pings, pulses, and from-the-gut guitar. When we're not singing along to lyrics like "It'll be a cold day in hell before you see your girl shed another tear, boy you better hear me," bottom lip pushed out for emphasis, we're shouting "go, girl" from the sidelines. Or at least wanting to. If the radio hit "Dip It Low" hasn't pushed you to pick up this disc already, it is, in fact, about time. --Tammy La Gorce