Five star

IT WAS with a heavy heart that I approached my CD player with Justin. Could this former boyband cutie and celebrated boyfriend of Britney do enough to hold any musical kudos for a whole album? Well he could - more than enough.

This first CD is pure class. Each of the 12 tracks is co-written by Justin himself with a different producer, and uses the varied talents of guests such as Janet Jackson and P. Diddy. The result is songs to sort all tastes, from slow romantic ballads to numbers you just have to dance to.

His Cry Me A River hints at his post-Britney turmoil, while the graphic Take Me Now suggests he has already left some of his turmoil behind! Like I Love You, the first single to be released from the album is a good example of the 1980s Michael Jacksonesque style he has tailored to his own impressive style.

SCC